Pronoun agreement with verbs is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures sentences are clear and concise. It involves making sure that the pronoun used in a sentence correctly corresponds with the verb, in terms of number (singular or plural), person (first, second, or third), and sometimes gender. Understanding and applying pronoun agreement properly is crucial for anyone looking to improve their English fluency, whether they are native speakers or language learners.
Understanding Pronouns
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns in a sentence. The most common pronouns include he, she, it, they, we, and I. Pronouns can be singular or plural, and they can represent different grammatical persons. Here is a quick overview:
1. **First Person Singular**: I
2. **First Person Plural**: We
3. **Second Person Singular and Plural**: You
4. **Third Person Singular**: He, She, It
5. **Third Person Plural**: They
Basic Rules of Pronoun Agreement
Number Agreement
Pronouns must agree with the verbs in terms of number. This means that a singular pronoun must be paired with a singular verb, and a plural pronoun must be paired with a plural verb.
– **Singular Example**: She runs every morning.
– **Plural Example**: They run every morning.
Notice how the singular pronoun “she” is paired with the singular verb “runs,” whereas the plural pronoun “they” is paired with the plural verb “run.”
Person Agreement
Pronouns must also agree with verbs in terms of person. This means that the verb form should change depending on whether the pronoun is first person, second person, or third person.
– **First Person Example**: I am going to the store.
– **Second Person Example**: You are going to the store.
– **Third Person Example**: He is going to the store.
In each case, the verb changes to match the person of the pronoun.
Gender Agreement
While not always required, pronouns can also agree with verbs in terms of gender. This is particularly important in languages with gendered nouns, but in English, it mostly applies to third-person singular pronouns.
– **Male Example**: He likes soccer.
– **Female Example**: She likes soccer.
– **Neutral Example**: It is raining.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even native English speakers can make mistakes with pronoun agreement. Here are some common issues and tips on how to avoid them:
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things (e.g., team, family, committee). These nouns can be tricky because they can take either singular or plural verbs, depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.
– **Acting as a Single Unit**: The team is winning.
– **Acting as Individuals**: The team are arguing among themselves.
In the first sentence, the team is acting as one unit, so a singular verb is used. In the second sentence, the team members are acting individually, so a plural verb is appropriate.
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, anybody) often cause confusion because they are singular and require singular verbs, even though they may seem to refer to multiple people.
– **Correct**: Everyone is invited to the party.
– **Incorrect**: Everyone are invited to the party.
Remember that indefinite pronouns always take singular verbs.
Compound Subjects
When a sentence has a compound subject (two or more subjects connected by “and”), the verb should be plural.
– **Correct**: John and Mary are going to the market.
– **Incorrect**: John and Mary is going to the market.
However, if the compound subject is connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
– **Correct**: Either the teachers or the principal is responsible.
– **Correct**: Either the principal or the teachers are responsible.
Advanced Considerations in Pronoun Agreement
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns (e.g., who, which, that) introduce relative clauses and must agree with the antecedent (the noun they refer to) in number and person.
– **Singular Antecedent**: The student who is studying hard will succeed.
– **Plural Antecedent**: The students who are studying hard will succeed.
In these examples, “who” refers to “student” in the first sentence and “students” in the second, and the verb changes accordingly.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, person, and gender. The antecedent is the word the pronoun replaces.
– **Correct**: The dog lost its collar.
– **Incorrect**: The dog lost their collar.
Since “dog” is singular, the pronoun “its” must also be singular.
Exercises for Mastery
To solidify your understanding of pronoun agreement with verbs, try the following exercises:
Exercise 1: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the pronoun agreement errors in the following sentences:
1. Everyone in the class are going on a trip.
2. The team are celebrating their victory.
3. Either the teacher or the students is responsible for the project.
4. She don’t like pizza.
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb to match the pronoun:
1. I ______ (to be) excited about the concert.
2. They ______ (to go) to the park every weekend.
3. He ______ (to have) a lot of homework to do.
4. We ______ (to be) planning a surprise party.
Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences
Write five sentences using different pronouns and ensuring correct verb agreement. Share them with a friend or teacher to check your work.
Conclusion
Understanding and applying pronoun agreement with verbs is essential for clear and effective communication in English. By mastering the basics of number, person, and gender agreement, and by being aware of common pitfalls, you can significantly improve your grammatical accuracy. Keep practicing with exercises and real-life examples to reinforce your skills. Happy learning!
