| Pronoun and Antecedent Agreement |
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| Pronouns
are words that take the place of nouns. The antecedent of a
pronoun is the word to which the pronoun refers. The pronoun
and its antecedent agree in gender and number. |
Jane called her friend.
John called his friend.
Jane and her are both singular and feminine.
John and his are both singular and masculine |
The
girls finished their job
The boys finished their job. The
plural pronoun agrees with the plural antecedent.
The plural pronoun agrees with the plural antecedent. |
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| The
pronoun is masculine (he, his, him) when the antecedent is masculine,
and feminine (she, her, hers) when the antecedent is feminine,
and neutral (it, its) when the antecedent has no gender association. |
| A
plural pronoun should be used with a compound antecedent joined
by and. |
Mary and Bill ran until they were
exhausted
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| A
singular pronoun is used to refer to two or more singular antecedents
joined by or or nor. A plural pronoun is used
with two or more plural antecedents joined by or or nor. |
Ben
or Tom will give his presentation
today.
Either the juniors or the seniors are singing
their class song.
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| When
a singular antecedent and a plural antecedent are joined by
or or nor, use a pronoun that agrees with the nearer
antecedent. |
The
boy or his parents will present their
idea.
The parents or the boy will present his
idea.
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| Use
a singular pronoun when a collective noun refers to a group
as a single unit. Use a plural pronoun when the collective noun
refers to a group's members as individuals. |
The
class decided it wanted to
do the project.
The class stayed in their
desks.
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| Use
singular pronouns to refer to indefinite pronouns (words like
everybody, none, nobody, someone) used
as antecedents. |
Each
of the boys had his assignment ready.
Everyone on the women's team improved her
time.
Everybody on the committee had his
or her own agenda.
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| Use
the relative pronouns who, whom, which, and that
with the appropriate antecedents. |
Who
refers to people and animals that have names.
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He
is the one who committed the crime.
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Which
refers to animals and things.
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The
biology book, which is on
the table, was very helpful
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That
refers to animals, things and sometimes to people.
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The
house that is on the right
is being demolished.
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Pronoun
and Antecedent Agreement Practice
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| Circle
the correct form of the pronoun. |
- Jane and Sarah said (she, they) were too tired to skate any
longer.
- Either Bill or John will bring a sample of (his, their) own
work.
- Jane and Jill called (her, their) friend.
- Either Jane or her friends will present (her, their) project.
- Neither Mary nor Susan said (she, they) would be there.
- Every student wants to impress (his or her, their) professors.
- Both John and Jim said (he, they) were not exercising regularly.
- The jury was asked to return to (its, their) seats.
- Please remind each student to bring (his or her, their) homework
tomorrow.
- Neither John nor Bob was willing to admit that (he, they)
had cheated.
- Each of the girls had (her, their) assignment completed.
- Every worker in this office needs (his or her, their) own
computer.
- The committee finally made (its, their) decision public.
- Nobody remembered to bring (his or her, their) photos.
- Neither girl will wear (her, their) black pants.
- Beth and Jane reported the problem to (her, their) supervisor.
- Each teacher turned in (his or her, their) grades to the
principal.
- The choir presented (its, their) final performance.
- Either the employees or Ms. Jones will make (their, her)
presentation.
- Both Suzi and Beth will try to see (her, their) parents
over the weekend.
(click here to see answer key)
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| Select
the sentence that is incorrect in each group. |
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A. Each of the students should bring his or her text book to
the study session.
B. Both Christine and George brought their children with them
to the meeting.
C. Everyone wanted to share their observations.
D. When people are interrogated relentlessly, they tend to grow
weary.
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A. John and Jane are combining their money to purchase a larger
gift for their parents.
B. Neither Steve nor Gary wanted to present his own ideas.
C. Sandy was the only one in the class who had his or her homework.
D. If anyone wants the tickets, they need to call me tonight.
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A. The members of the team played their hardest.
B. Bob is one of those teachers who consider themselves privileged
to work with students.
C. The tour guide, as well as the entire group, checked their
supply list.
D. Either my sister or my cousin will bring her video camera.
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A. Everyone should write their name on the top of their test.
B. If students need help, they should make an appointment to
meet with a tutor.
C. Neither of them will wear her costume once the performance
is over.
D. Both girls will try to see their relatives in New York.
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A. Nobody in the class completed his or her assignment perfectly.
B. The students, rather than the professor, will present their
theory at the conference.
C. Every instructor and every administrator stated his or her
opinion.
D. The committee is making their final presentation this evening.
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A. The group of student workers are distributing the schedule
which was developed.
B. The principal, as well as the teachers, initiated his request
for parental help.
C. Every employee must wear his or her identification badge.
D. The mother and the father explained their concern.
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A. Either Sally or Christine will present their congratulations
to the winner.
B. The students, as well as the principal, expressed their opposition
to the board's decision.
C. John, rather than Dianne or Phil, brought his design for
the poster.
D. Many of them will see their friends at the conference.
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A. If anyone objects to the decision, they should say so now.
B. Everyone was quiet until he or she heard the speaker's controversial
remark.
C. The audience showed their boredom by moving around during
the presentation.
D. She is the type of student who tries his or her hardest.
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A. Anyone who thinks the task seems easy should try it themselves.
B. Neither Ruth nor Betty was late for her appointment.
C. Nobody thought about bringing his or her portfolio.
D. Both Ann and Sarah asked if they could turn her assignment
in late.
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A. Someone has forgotten to complete their registration form.
B. Joan, as well as both of her sisters, wanted to complete
her assignment over the weekend.
C. Neither Greg nor his brothers remembered their password.
D. David and Sarah, as well as John, filed their complaint
(click
here to see answer key) |
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Pronoun
Case
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There
are three pronoun cases.
1. Subjective Case -
Pronouns used as subjects.
2. Objective Case - Pronouns used as objects of verbs or
prepositions.
3. Possessive Case - Pronouns which express ownership.
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Subjective
Pronouns
you
he
she
it
we
they
who
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Objective
Pronouns
me
you
him
her
it
us
them
whom
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Possessive
Pronouns
my (mine)
your (yours)
his
her (hers)
its
our (ours)
their (theirs)
whose
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| The Subjective Pronouns are categorized into person and number. |
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Person
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Number
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Singular
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Plural
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First |
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I |
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we |
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person(s)
speaking |
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Second |
> |
you |
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you |
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person(s)
spoken to |
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Third |
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he |
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they |
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person(s)
spoken about |
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she> |
< |
> |
> |
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it |
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