Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

p. 188 - 190p. 188 - 190

Agreement in Number

A plural antecedent takes a plural pronoun. A plural antecedent takes a plural pronoun.

Marla and DeniseMarla and Denise played played theirtheir instruments. instruments.

Our Our teachersteachers completed completed theirtheir grades. grades.

A singular antecedent takes a singular A singular antecedent takes a singular pronoun.pronoun.

JadenJaden will bring will bring hishis books. books.

AbigailAbigail dislikes dislikes herher math class. math class.

Collective Nouns

Use a singular pronoun to refer to a collective Use a singular pronoun to refer to a collective noun whose parts act as a single unit.noun whose parts act as a single unit. The The orchestraorchestra will give will give itsits final show. final show.

Use a plural pronoun to refer to a collective Use a plural pronoun to refer to a collective noun whose parts act individually.noun whose parts act individually. The The orchestraorchestra have tuned up have tuned up theirtheir instruments.instruments.

Pronouns Joined by Or or Nor

A plural pronoun is used to refer to nouns and A plural pronoun is used to refer to nouns and pronouns joined by pronouns joined by andand.. James and DeniseJames and Denise went to went to theirtheir houses. houses.A pronoun that refers to nouns or pronouns A pronoun that refers to nouns or pronouns joined by joined by oror or or nornor should agree with the should agree with the noun or pronoun nearest to it.noun or pronoun nearest to it. Neither the Neither the conductorconductor nor the nor the musiciansmusicians have taken have taken theirtheir places on stage. places on stage.

Agreement in Gender

The gender of a pronoun must be the same as The gender of a pronoun must be the same as the gender of its antecedentthe gender of its antecedent

FeminineFeminine MasculineMasculine NeuterNeuter

she, her, hersshe, her, hers he, him, hishe, him, his it, itsit, its

Agreement in Gender Cont’d

When the antecedent of a singular pronoun could When the antecedent of a singular pronoun could be either feminine or masculine, use the phrase be either feminine or masculine, use the phrase his or herhis or her..

Each Each musicianmusician played played his or herhis or her solo. solo.

If using If using his or herhis or her sounds awkward, try making sounds awkward, try making both the pronoun and its antecedent plural.both the pronoun and its antecedent plural.

All the All the musiciansmusicians played played theirtheir solos. solos.

Agreement in Person

The person of a pronoun must match the The person of a pronoun must match the person of its antecedent.person of its antecedent.

All All studentsstudents should bring should bring theirtheir books. books.

The pronouns The pronouns one, everyone, one, everyone, and and everybodyeverybody are third person and singular. are third person and singular.

EveryoneEveryone has has his or herhis or her favorite song. favorite song.

Practice & Apply p. 190 Ex. A

For # 1-5, write the antecedent and correct For # 1-5, write the antecedent and correct pronoun from parentheses.pronoun from parentheses.