Dreams for the day Walking out, you should be able to… Fix errors in pronoun-antecedent agreement in number, gender, and person

To Review What is a pronoun? What is an antecedent? A pronoun replaces a noun in a sentence. An antecedent is the person, place or thing the pronoun refers to. Example: My mom drove her car.

To Review What are the three ways pronouns can be grouped? Number (singular vs. plural), gender (feminine vs. masculine), and person (first, second, third)

To Review What are the differences between the three types of grammatical person? First – I, me, my, mine, we, our, us Second – you, your Third – he, she, they, somebody

What’s wrong here? Devin and John went to lunch after he went to Algebra. What’s the pronoun? Is it singular? Plural? Masculine? Feminine? What grammatical person is it in? What’s the antecedent? Is it singular? Plural? Masculine? Feminine? What grammatical person is it in?

Number Singular pronouns are used with singular antecedents. Plural pronouns are used with plural antecedents. Example: One boy ate his lunch alone. (singular agreement) Example: Two boys ate their lunch alone. (plural agreement)

What’s wrong with this sentence? Ms. Halberstadt was sure to complete his grad school paper so she could get an A in the class. What’s the pronoun? Is it singular? Plural? Masculine? Feminine? What grammatical person is it in? What’s the antecedent? Is it singular? Plural? Masculine? Feminine? What grammatical person is it in?

Gender Feminine pronouns go with feminine antecedents. Masculine pronouns go with masculine antecedents. Example: Henok ate his lunch alone. Example: Jaana put on her coat.

What’s wrong with this sentence? When a person comes to class, you should have your homework ready. What’s the pronoun? Is it singular? Plural? Masculine? Feminine? What grammatical person is it in? What’s the antecedent? Is it singular? Plural? Masculine? Feminine? What grammatical person is it in?

Grammatical Person Pronouns and antecedents must agree in grammatical person. If an antecedent is in second person (“you”), the pronoun must also be in second person. The same goes for first person and third person. Example: When a person comes to class, he or she should have his or her homework ready. (NOT: When a person comes to class, you should have your homework ready.)

Steps If the board of directors controls the company, they may vote for a raise. 1) Find the pronoun in the sentence. Circle it. 2) Find antecedent to the pronoun. Circle it. 3) Determine if they agree in number, gender, and person. If they do not, change the pronoun so they do.