Pronoun – A ntecedent Agreement

Pronoun – Antecedent Agreement Writing in the Disciplines (WID) G. Griggs & B. Morales CiViS

What is Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement? Pronouns substitute nouns. Many pronouns have antecedents, nouns or pronouns to which they refer. A pronoun must always agree with its antecedent in number, whether singular or plural. Medical students must study hard if they want to succeed. (antecedent) (pronoun) Possessive pronouns used before nouns function as adjectives Dr. González finished herrounds in the hospital. (antecedent) (possessive pronoun)

Personal and Possessive Pronouns

Practice: Personal & Possessive Pronouns My friend gave (me, my, mine) a present. It was (me, my, mine) favorite gift. The gift is (me, my, mine) to keep. You should check (you, your, yours) tire pressure. The book was (you, your, yours) recent purchase. It is not (me, my, mine), it is (you, your, yours). (She, Her, Hers) told (he, him, his) to be careful. (He, Him, His) spilled (he, him, his) coffee. Magda left her phone at (she, her, hers) house. She went back to pick (it, its) up. The boys rode (they, them, their, theirs) bicycles and left (they, them, their, theirs) on the lawn.

Indefinite Singular Pronouns Indefinite singular pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things For indefinite singular pronouns, use “he or she” or “his or her” to avoid sexist language or change the antecedent to plural

Practice: Change Pronoun-antecedent agreement to plural Everyone should see hisorher doctor regularly. All people should see theirdoctors regularly. An engineer often assists his or her colleagues on large projects. Engineers often assist their colleagues on large projects. No one knows his or her way to El Yunque. None of us know our way to El Yunque. A student who gets good grades usually does his or her work well. Students who get good grades usually do their work well.

Indefinite Pronouns Joined by “And”, “Neither-Nor,” “Either-Or” Compound subjects (more than one subject) joined by and always use plural pronouns Debra and Rafi chose their teammates. Compound subjects joined by neither – nor and either-or agreewith the antecedent closest to the pronoun Neither Debra nor Rafi did his or her homework. Neither the pilot northe employees gave their opinions. EitherPedro or Sam will do his homework. EitherPedro orthe girls will do theirhomework.

Practice: Indefinite Singular Pronouns Somebody left (he or she; his or her; its; they; their) shoes on the beach. I told everyone to take (he or she; his or her; its; they; their) books to class. If anybody wants to get a job, (he or she; his or her; its; they; them) must study. No one wanted to give up (he or she; his or her; its; they; their; them) seat on the bus. There was something on the ground and (it, its, their, them) was green. Neither Carmen nor her friends ate (he or she; his or her; its; they; their; them) lunch.

Indefinite Singular or Plural Pronouns Mostof my dogs ate their food quickly. Someof the students finished their homework. The cake was on the plate, and some of itwas eaten. All of the us rode ourbicycles to the park. Did anyof the boys lose his bicycle at school?

Collective Nouns Collective nouns name a class or a group and are usually singular.

Collective Nouns Collective nouns may be plural if its members function as individuals.

Practice Did either of the girls take (her, their) book bag? Both of the boys lost (his, their) baseballs. Students argued that (his or her, their) ideas were correct. The apples are there, and none of (it, them) have been eaten. Neither Frank nor his children shared (his or her, their) food. The committee left the meeting and returned to (his or her, their) offices. Each of us should determine (his or her, our, their) decision. All athletes must practice regularly if (he or she, they) want to improve. Either Rebecca or Cassandra should receive a prize for (her, their) poem. Jorge lent his bike to someone who allowed (his or her, their) friend to use it.

Pronoun-Antecedent Suggestions All pronouns have antecedents, which refer to person(s) or object(s) that are previously mentioned in the text. Singular antecedents use singular pronouns. Plural antecedents use plural pronouns. Avoid sexist language; instead, use gender-neutral & plural antecedents (persons, individuals, students, people, human beings, postal workers, coordinators). The gender of a pronoun must match its antecedent: Diana waited for her husband.

Pronoun-Antecedent Suggestions Most indefinite pronouns are singular. Generic nouns (doctor, student, writer, member, person) represent both males and females. --A college student has his or her ownpoint of view. Change generic nouns to plural to fix agreement problems. -- College students have their own points of view. Collective nouns are usually singular unless the people in the collective group act as individuals. If you’re not sure, look it up!

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Pronoun – A ntecedent Agreement