Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun is a word used to stand for (or take the place of) a noun. A word can refer to an earlier noun or pronoun in a sentence. Example: President Lincoln delivered Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in 1863. We don’t talk or write this way. Automatically, we replace the noun Lincoln’s with a pronoun. More naturally, we say President Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address in 1863.

The pronoun his refers to President Lincoln. In this sentence, the pronoun his is called the referent because it “refers back.” It refers back to President Lincoln, the antecedent. An antecedent is a word for which a pronoun stands. (ante=before)

Rules for pronoun-antecedent agreement. A phrase or clause between the subject and verb does not change the number of the antecedent. Example: The can (of lima beans) sits on its shelf. Can is singular so the pronoun has to be singular. Indefinite pronouns as antecedents. Singular indefinite pronoun antecedents take singular pronoun referents. Example: Each (of the clerks) does a good deal (of work) around his or her office.

Plural indefinite pronoun antecedents require plural referents. Example: Both do a good job in their office. Some indefinite pronouns that are modified by a prepositional phrase may be either singular or plural. When the object of the preposition is uncountable use a singular referent pronoun. Ex: Some of the sugar fell out its bag. (sugar is uncountable)

When an object of the preposition is countable use a plural referent pronoun. Ex: Some of the marbles fell out of their bag. (marbles are countable.)

Compound subjects joined by and always take a plural referent. Ex: Jones and Smith made their presentation. subjects joined by or/nor, the referent pronoun agrees with the antecedent closer to the pronoun. Ex: Neither the director nor the actors did their jobs. Ex: Neither the ac tors nor the director did his or her job. (his or her because of gender)

Collective Nouns (group, jury, crowd, team, class, etc Collective Nouns (group, jury, crowd, team, class, etc .) may be singular or plural, depending on meaning. Ex: The jury read its verdict. (Singular) Ex: The jury members gave their individual opinions. (plural) Titles of single entities. (books, organizations, countries, etc.) take a singular referent. Ex: The Grapes of Wrath made its characters seem real. Ex: The United States cherishes its democracy.

EX: The news has lost much of its sting two days later. Plural form subjects with a singular meaning take a singular referent. (news, measles, mumps, physics, etc) EX: The news has lost much of its sting two days later. “Every” or “Many a” before a noun or a series of nouns requires a singular referent. ex: Every cow, pig, and horse had lost its life in the fire. ex: Many a girl wishes she could sing like Tina Turner.

“The number of” vs. “A number of” before a subject. 1. The number of is singular. The number of volunteers increases its ranks daily. 2. A number of is plural. A number of volunteers are offering their help.

Ambiguous Pronouns Ambiguous means NOT CLEAR! Ex: Jerry and Owen are brothers, but he has always been taller. (Who is “he”?) She enjoys oranges, bananas, and grapes, but they are her favorite. (Which ones?) Mr. Jones told Billy that he needed to study. (Which person needed to study?)

Jim and Doreen called loudly from the cave, but nobody heard _____. Practice Directions Read each sentence. Then, write the correct personal pronoun!!!!!!! Jim and Doreen called loudly from the cave, but nobody heard _____. Annie will read _____ report to the class. The president and the congress announced _____new ideas. Either Ryan or Cal will drive _____ truck. Neither Heather nor Celia had a pencil with _____.