Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Mr.McNealey
 Rules
 A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in
both number and gender.
 Ex. The Taylors landscaped their yard in an
unusual way.
 Ex. Kim regained her confidence after the
test.
 Ex. The cheetah licked its chops.
 Examples
 The doctor makes his or her rounds every
day.
 Doctors make their rounds every day.
 Collective Nouns
 When the antecedent of a pronoun is a
collective noun, the number of the pronoun
depends upon whether the collective noun is
used as singular or plural.
 Ex. The class had its first meeting
yesterday. ( Class is used as a single unit;
therefore, the singular pronoun is used.)
 Agreement in person
 Incorrect: Henry lives in Tampa where you
can sunbathe all year long.
 Correct: Henry lives in Tampa where he can
sunbathe all year long.
 Incorrect: They like camping because you
can be close to nature.
 Correct: They like camping because they
can be close to nature.
 Agreement with Indefinite
Pronouns Antecedents
 When a pronoun’s antecedent is an
indefinite pronoun, the pronoun must agree
in number with it.
 Ex. Neither of the girls spent her entire
allowance.
 Ex. Several members missed their chance to
speak with the president.
 Agreement with Indefinite
Pronoun Antecedents
 When no gender is specified use both a
masculine and feminine pronoun.
 Ex. Each of the students should prepare his
or her own homework.
 Rules
 Use a singular pronoun to refer to each,
either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no
one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, or
somebody.
 Ex. Each of the teams had its mascot at the
game.
 Ex. One of the boys left his pen behind.
 Rules
 The following indefinite pronouns are
plural: both, few, many, and several
 Examples:
 Many of the actors already know their lines.
 Both of the candidates clearly stated their
positions on the issue.
 Rules
 The indefinite pronouns all, any, more,
most, none, and some may be singular or
plural depending on how they are used in a
sentence.
 Most of these coins are rare, but I don’t
know what they are worth.
 Rules
 Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more
singular antecedents joined by or or nor.
 Ex. Neither Heidi nor Beth took her umbrella with
her.
 Use a plural pronoun to refer to two or more
antecedents joined by and.
 Ex. The guide and the ranger wrapped their rain
ponchos in their saddle rolls.