Pronoun Agreement

Basic Principle A pronoun usually refers to something earlier in the text (its antecedent) and must agree in number — singular/plural — with the thing to which it refers. Example: Bryan lost his book. (His is pronoun that refers to Bryan. Example: The book had Dawn’s name written inside its cover. (Its agrees in number with book, which is the antecedent.)

Pronoun Agreement Rules The indefinite pronouns anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, and nobody are always singular. Everyone must do his or her share. Either and neither are also always singular even though they seem to be referring to two things. Neither of those women got what she ordered.

Pronoun Agreement Rules The need for pronoun-antecedent agreement can create gender problems. One can pluralize to avoid the problem. Each student must see his counselor before the end of the semester. Students must see their counselor before the end of the semester.

Pronoun Agreement Rules Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor. Juan or Michael will bring his soccer ball. Neither the mother nor the daughter had forgotten her running shoes.

Practice Exercise 11, page 221 Exercise 12, page 222