Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement When everyone writes your paper, do they agree with what you wrote? Taken from

Using Pronouns Clearly  Because a pronoun REFERS BACK to a noun or TAKES THE PLACE OF that noun, you have to use the correct pronoun so that your reader clearly understands which noun your pronoun is referring to.

Pronouns should:  1. Agree in NUMBER  2. Agree in PERSON

1. NUMBER Agreement  INCORRECT: If a student parks a car on campus, they have to buy a parking sticker.  Student = Singular  They = Plural

1. NUMBER Agreement (cont) If the pronoun takes the place of a singular noun, you have to use a singular pronoun.  CORRECT: If a student parks a car on campus, he or she has to buy a parking sticker. Student = Singular He or she = Singular (s/he)

Remember: The words EVERYBODY ANYBODY, ANYONE, EACH, NEITHER, NOBODY, SOMEONE, A PERSON, are singular and take singular pronouns.

More practice:  Neither of the girls brought ________ umbrella.  Everybody ought to do __________ best.  People don’t appreciate what _______ have.

2. PERSON Agreement  INCORRECT: When a person comes to class, you should have your homework ready.  A person = third person  You = second person

PERSON Agreement (cont) If you are writing in the "first person" ( I), don't confuse your reader by switching to the "second person" ( you) or "third person" (he, she, they, it, etc.). Similarly, if you are using the "second person," don't switch to "first" or "third.“  CORRECT: When a person comes to class, he or she should have his or her homework ready.  A person = third person  He or she = third person

More practice: 1. The mama rhinoceros searches for ___________ food bowl. 2. When a student gets an A, ____________ should be allowed to choose to not take the final exam. 3. When __________ are sick of ice cream, you should switch to chocolate!

Finally…  Incorrect: If anybody wants to succeed in corporate life, they have to know the rules of the game.  Incorrect: A student must see their counselor before the end of the semester.

 I get worried when the neighbors let their dog out.