Pronoun En Agreement

Pronoun-antecedent agreement can be a tricky subject for many writers. It refers to the relationship between a pronoun and the word it replaces, known as the antecedent. In order to maintain clarity, it’s important to ensure that pronouns and their antecedents agree in number and gender.

Let’s break down the different types of pronouns and their agreement rules:

Singular Pronouns: These are pronouns that refer to one person, place or thing. Examples include: he, she, it, or one. These pronouns require singular antecedents, such as: “He is going to the store” or “One should always be kind.”

Plural Pronouns: These are pronouns that refer to more than one person, place or thing. Examples include: they, we, or them. These pronouns require plural antecedents, such as: “They are going to the store” or “We are all going to the party.”

Gender Pronouns: These are pronouns that refer to either male or female individuals. Examples include: he, she, him, or her. It’s important to ensure that gender pronouns match their antecedents. For example, “She is going to the store” refers to a female, while “He is going to the store” refers to a male.

Possessive Pronouns: These are pronouns that indicate ownership or possession. Examples include: mine, yours, hers, or theirs. These pronouns must agree in number and gender with their antecedents. For example, “The book is hers” refers to a female owning the book.

Indefinite Pronouns: These are pronouns that refer to something or someone that is not specifically identified. Examples include: everyone, anyone, nobody, or somebody. When using indefinite pronouns, it’s important to ensure that the pronoun agrees with the antecedent. For example, “Everyone must do their part” is incorrect, as “everyone” is singular and “their” is plural. It should be rewritten as, “Everyone must do his or her part” or “Everyone must do their respective parts.”

In conclusion, pronoun-antecedent agreement is essential to clear and effective writing. By understanding the different types of pronouns and their corresponding agreement rules, you can ensure that your writing remains grammatically correct and easy to understand. Remember to always double-check your pronoun-antecedent agreement to avoid any confusion or mistakes.