Pronoun agreement with number is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that learners often find perplexing. This topic revolves around ensuring that pronouns correctly match the nouns they replace in terms of number—singular or plural. Misalignment can lead to confusion and ambiguity in sentences. This article aims to elucidate the principles of pronoun agreement with number, providing you with the tools to master this essential grammar rule.
Understanding Pronouns
Before delving into pronoun agreement with number, it is crucial to understand what pronouns are. Pronouns are words that replace nouns to avoid repetition and make sentences smoother. Examples of pronouns include he, she, it, they, we, him, her, them, and us. Each pronoun must agree in number with the noun it replaces.
Types of Pronouns
1. **Subject Pronouns**: These pronouns perform the action in a sentence. Examples include I, you, he, she, it, we, and they.
2. **Object Pronouns**: These pronouns receive the action in a sentence. Examples include me, you, him, her, it, us, and them.
3. **Possessive Pronouns**: These pronouns show ownership. Examples include mine, yours, his, hers, ours, and theirs.
Basic Rules of Pronoun Agreement with Number
The primary rule is straightforward: a singular noun must be replaced by a singular pronoun, and a plural noun must be replaced by a plural pronoun.
For example:
– **Singular**: The cat lost its collar. (“Cat” is singular, so we use “its.”)
– **Plural**: The cats lost their collars. (“Cats” is plural, so we use “their.”)
Common Singular and Plural Pronouns
Understanding the distinction between singular and plural pronouns is essential for achieving agreement:
– **Singular Pronouns**: I, you, he, she, it, me, him, her, mine, yours, his, hers, its
– **Plural Pronouns**: we, you, they, us, them, ours, yours, theirs
Pronoun Agreement in Compound Subjects
When dealing with compound subjects, the pronoun must agree with the number of the subject.
For example:
– **Singular**: Neither John nor Mary has finished his or her homework. (“John” and “Mary” are singular; hence, “his or her.”)
– **Plural**: John and Mary have finished their homework. (Here, “John and Mary” together form a plural subject, so we use “their.”)
Indefinite Pronouns and Agreement
Indefinite pronouns can be particularly tricky. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, some are always plural, and some can be both, depending on the context.
– **Always Singular**: anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody, each, either, neither
– Example: Everyone should bring his or her own lunch.
– **Always Plural**: both, few, many, several
– Example: Many of the students forgot their books.
– **Can Be Singular or Plural**: all, any, most, none, some
– Example (Singular): Some of the cake has lost its icing.
– Example (Plural): Some of the students forgot their books.
Pronoun Agreement with Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals or things considered as a single unit. Examples include team, family, jury, committee, and class. The tricky part is that collective nouns can be singular or plural, depending on whether the group is acting as a unit or as individuals.
– **Singular**: The team won its game. (The team is acting as a single unit.)
– **Plural**: The team celebrated their individual victories. (The team members are acting individually.)
Pronoun Agreement with Generic Nouns
Generic nouns refer to any member of a group and are often used in general statements. Pronoun agreement in these cases can be challenging, especially with the increasing acceptance of singular “they.”
– **Traditional**: A student should do his or her homework.
– **Modern Usage**: A student should do their homework. (“They” is used as a singular pronoun to avoid gender specificity.)
Pronoun Agreement in Formal and Informal Contexts
The level of formality can influence pronoun agreement choices. In formal writing, traditional rules are often followed strictly, while informal contexts may allow for more flexibility.
– **Formal**: Each participant must submit his or her report by Monday.
– **Informal**: Each participant must submit their report by Monday.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
There are several common pitfalls that learners should be aware of to ensure correct pronoun agreement.
Ambiguous Antecedents
An antecedent is the noun that a pronoun replaces. If the antecedent is unclear, it can lead to confusion.
– **Ambiguous**: When Sam and Alex arrived, he said hello. (Who is “he”? Sam or Alex?)
– **Clear**: When Sam and Alex arrived, Sam said hello.
Shifting Antecedents
Ensure the antecedent remains consistent within the sentence or paragraph.
– **Incorrect**: If a student wants to succeed, they should study hard.
– **Correct**: If a student wants to succeed, he or she should study hard. (Or, in informal context: If a student wants to succeed, they should study hard.)
Pronoun Agreement with Compound Antecedents
When a compound antecedent is joined by “and,” use a plural pronoun. When joined by “or” or “nor,” the pronoun should agree with the nearest antecedent.
– **Joined by “and”**: Both Sarah and Tom said they would come.
– **Joined by “or”**: Neither Sarah nor Tom brought his or her book. (Singular pronouns are used because “or” suggests only one of them.)
Practical Tips for Mastering Pronoun Agreement
Here are some practical tips to help you master pronoun agreement with number:
1. **Identify the Antecedent**: Always locate the noun that the pronoun is replacing. This will help you determine whether the pronoun should be singular or plural.
2. **Check for Compound Subjects**: If the subject is compound, ensure the pronoun agrees with the number of the subject as a whole.
3. **Consider Collective Nouns**: Determine if the collective noun is acting as a single unit or as individual members.
4. **Use Singular “They” When Appropriate**: In modern usage, especially in informal contexts, singular “they” is increasingly accepted to avoid gender specificity.
5. **Rephrase if Necessary**: If a sentence feels awkward due to pronoun agreement, consider rephrasing it. For example, instead of “Each student must bring his or her book,” you could say, “All students must bring their books.”
Exercises for Practice
To solidify your understanding, try these exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct pronouns.
1. Every student must submit ____ assignment by Friday.
2. Neither the teacher nor the students have forgotten ____ promise.
3. The jury has reached ____ verdict.
4. Some of the cake has lost ____ flavor.
5. Each of the players has ____ own uniform.
Answers
1. his or her (or their, in informal context)
2. his or her (or their, in informal context)
3. its
4. its
5. his or her (or their, in informal context)
Conclusion
Pronoun agreement with number is a critical aspect of English grammar that requires careful attention. By understanding the basic rules and common pitfalls, and by practicing regularly, you can improve your ability to use pronouns correctly. Whether in formal writing or casual conversation, mastering pronoun agreement will enhance your clarity and effectiveness as a communicator. Remember, the key is to ensure that your pronouns always match the number of the nouns they replace. Happy learning!
