1. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Mr.McNealey

2. Rules u A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in both number and gender. u Ex. The Taylors landscaped their yard in an unusual way. u Ex. Kim regained her confidence after the test. u Ex. The cheetah licked its chops.

3. Examples u The doctor makes his or her rounds every day. u Doctors make their rounds every day.

4. Collective Nouns u When the antecedent of a pronoun is a collective noun, the number of the pronoun depends upon whether the collective noun is used as singular or plural. u Ex. The class had its first meeting yesterday. ( Class is used as a single unit; therefore, the singular pronoun is used.)

5. Agreement in person u Incorrect: Henry lives in Tampa where you can sunbathe all year long. u Correct: Henry lives in Tampa where he can sunbathe all year long. u Incorrect: They like camping because you can be close to nature. u Correct: They like camping because they can be close to nature.

6. Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns Antecedents u When a pronoun’s antecedent is an indefinite pronoun, the pronoun must agree in number with it. u Ex. Neither of the girls spent her entire allowance. u Ex. Several members missed their chance to speak with the president.

7. Agreement with Indefinite Pronoun Antecedents u When no gender is specified use both a masculine and feminine pronoun. u Ex. Each of the students should prepare his or her own homework.

8. Rules u Use a singular pronoun to refer to each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, or somebody. u Ex. Each of the teams had its mascot at the game. u Ex. One of the boys left his pen behind.

9. Rules u The following indefinite pronouns are plural: both, few, many, and several u Examples: u Many of the actors already know their lines. u Both of the candidates clearly stated their positions on the issue.

10. Rules u The indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, none, and some may be singular or plural depending on how they are used in a sentence. u Most of these coins are rare, but I don’t know what they are worth.

11. Rules u Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor. u Ex. Neither Heidi nor Beth took her umbrella with her. u Use a plural pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined by and. u Ex. The guide and the ranger wrapped their rain ponchos in their saddle rolls.