Pronoun Antecedent Agreement

Because a pronoun REFERS 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.

Rule: A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in number.

• If the pronoun takes the place of a singular noun, you have to use a singular pronoun.

Example: 1. If a student parks a car on campus, he or she has to buy a parking sticker. (NOT: If a student parks a car on campus, they have to buy a parking sticker.)

Remember the following pronouns are singular:

each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebodyExamples: 1.Everybody ought to do his or her best. (NOT: their best)2. Neither of the girls brought her umbrella. (NOT: their umbrellas)

Two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor should be referred to by a singular pronoun.

• Examples: 1. Neither Richard nor Bob distinguished

himself in the finals. 2. Paula or Janet will present her views on the

subject.

Two or more singular antecedents joined by and should be referred to by a plural pronoun.

• Examples: 1. Mona and Janet left early because they had

to be home before 10:00. 2. Mother and Dad celebrated their

anniversary yesterday.

Rule: A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in person.

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."Example: 1. 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.)

Rule: A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in gender.

If the antecedent is masculine: If the antecedent is feminine:

He, His, Him She, Her, Hers

If the antecedent is neither feminine or masculine : It, Its

Examples: 1. Colette performs her solo today. 2. James makes his debut tomorrow. 3. The show has the Old West as its theme.

Rule: A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in gender.

• Sometimes the antecedent may be either masculine or feminine; sometimes it may be both.

• Examples: 1. Everyone of the students shouted his or her

approval. 2. A person must always choose his or her

friends.