Understanding and mastering pronoun-antecedent agreement is fundamental for anyone aiming to improve their English grammar skills. Pronoun-antecedent agreement refers to the grammatical rule that a pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender, and person. An antecedent is the noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to or replaces. Errors in pronoun-antecedent agreement can lead to confusion and miscommunication, making it essential to grasp the concept thoroughly.
What is Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement?
At its core, pronoun-antecedent agreement is about ensuring consistency and clarity in your writing. A pronoun must match its antecedent in three key areas: number (singular or plural), gender (male, female, or neutral), and person (first, second, or third person). Let’s break down each aspect to understand them better.
Number Agreement
Number agreement is perhaps the most straightforward aspect of pronoun-antecedent agreement. If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must also be singular. Conversely, if the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural.
Example 1:
– Singular: The dog wagged its tail.
– Plural: The dogs wagged their tails.
In the singular example, “dog” is a singular noun, so the pronoun “its” is also singular. In the plural example, “dogs” is a plural noun, so the pronoun “their” is also plural.
Gender Agreement
Gender agreement is required when the antecedent has a specific gender. English distinguishes between male, female, and neutral pronouns.
Example 2:
– Male: John forgot his book.
– Female: Mary forgot her keys.
– Neutral: The child lost their toy.
In this example, “John” is a male antecedent, so the pronoun “his” is used. “Mary” is a female antecedent, so “her” is used. When the gender is unspecified or irrelevant, as with “child,” the gender-neutral pronoun “their” can be used.
Person Agreement
Pronouns must also agree with their antecedents in person. This means that if the antecedent is in the first person, the pronoun must also be in the first person, and the same goes for the second and third persons.
Example 3:
– First person: I lost my keys.
– Second person: You forgot your homework.
– Third person: She loves her dog.
In these examples, the pronouns “my,” “your,” and “her” match the antecedents “I,” “you,” and “she” in person.
Common Pitfalls in Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Despite its apparent simplicity, pronoun-antecedent agreement can be tricky, especially in complex sentences. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns such as “everyone,” “someone,” “each,” and “anybody” are singular and require singular pronouns, even though they may seem plural.
Example 4:
– Incorrect: Everyone must bring their own lunch.
– Correct: Everyone must bring his or her own lunch.
In the incorrect example, “everyone” is singular, but “their” is plural. The correct sentence uses “his or her” to maintain agreement.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns, like “team,” “family,” or “committee,” can be tricky because they refer to a group but are often treated as singular.
Example 5:
– Incorrect: The team decided to change their uniform.
– Correct: The team decided to change its uniform.
In the incorrect example, “team” is treated as plural, but it is a singular noun, so “its” should be used.
Compound Antecedents
When an antecedent is made up of two or more nouns connected by “and,” it is typically plural and requires a plural pronoun.
Example 6:
– Incorrect: John and Mary took his car to the mechanic.
– Correct: John and Mary took their car to the mechanic.
However, if the nouns are connected by “or” or “nor,” the pronoun should agree with the closest antecedent.
Example 7:
– Correct: Either John or the girls will bring their game.
– Correct: Neither the girls nor John will bring his game.
Pronouns with Singular and Plural Meanings
Some nouns can be singular or plural depending on context, such as “none,” “some,” “all,” “most,” and “any.” The pronoun must agree with the intended meaning of the noun.
Example 8:
– Singular: None of the cake was eaten, so it was thrown away.
– Plural: None of the cookies were eaten, so they were thrown away.
In these examples, “none” refers to “cake” (a singular noun) in the first sentence and “cookies” (a plural noun) in the second sentence.
Strategies for Ensuring Correct Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Understanding the rules is one thing, but consistently applying them is another. Here are some strategies to help ensure correct pronoun-antecedent agreement in your writing.
Identify the Antecedent
The first step is to clearly identify the antecedent in your sentence. This is the noun or noun phrase that the pronoun is replacing. Make sure you know whether it is singular or plural, and if applicable, what gender and person it is.
Example 9:
– The committee made its decision.
In this example, “committee” is the antecedent, and it is a singular collective noun, so “its” is the correct pronoun.
Consider the Context
Sometimes, the context of the sentence or the surrounding sentences can help clarify the correct pronoun.
Example 10:
– The dogs ran quickly. They seemed to enjoy their freedom.
In this example, “dogs” is the antecedent, and the context makes it clear that “they” and “their” are the correct pronouns.
Use Gender-Neutral Language
When the gender of the antecedent is unknown or irrelevant, consider using gender-neutral pronouns to avoid awkward constructions like “his or her.”
Example 11:
– Incorrect: If a student wants to succeed, he or she must study hard.
– Correct: If a student wants to succeed, they must study hard.
Using “they” as a singular pronoun is increasingly accepted in modern English for situations where gender is unspecified.
Rewrite the Sentence
If a sentence is particularly tricky or awkward, consider rewriting it to avoid the issue altogether.
Example 12:
– Awkward: Each of the employees must submit his or her report by Monday.
– Improved: All employees must submit their reports by Monday.
In the improved example, the sentence is rewritten to use a plural antecedent and a plural pronoun, making it clearer and more concise.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of pronoun-antecedent agreement, try these practice exercises. Identify the correct pronoun for each sentence.
1. Neither the manager nor the employees finished (his/their) work on time.
2. Each of the students must bring (their/his or her) own textbook.
3. The jury has reached (their/its) verdict.
4. Several of the cars had (its/their) windows broken.
5. If anybody calls, tell (them/him or her) I am not available.
Answers:
1. his
2. his or her
3. its
4. their
5. them
Conclusion
Mastering pronoun-antecedent agreement is crucial for clear and effective communication in English. By understanding the rules and common pitfalls, and by applying strategies like identifying the antecedent, considering the context, using gender-neutral language, and rewriting sentences when necessary, you can significantly improve your grammar skills. Practice regularly, and soon, pronoun-antecedent agreement will become second nature. Happy writing!
