Pronoun - Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun-antecedent agreement is a grammatical principle that ensures consistency between a pronoun and its antecedent in terms of number, gender, and person. The antecedent is the noun that the pronoun refers to or replaces. Here are the rules along with examples:

Rules for Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement:

1. Number Agreement: Examples:

• A singular pronoun must replace a singular antecedent, and a plural pronoun must replace a plural antecedent.

1. Gender Agreement: Examples:

• The pronoun should match the gender of its antecedent. Use masculine pronouns for masculine antecedents, feminine pronouns for feminine antecedents, and neutral pronouns for neutral or unspecified antecedents.

1. Person Agreement: Examples:

• The pronoun must match the person of its antecedent. First-person pronouns should replace first-person antecedents, second-person pronouns for second-person antecedents, and third-person pronouns for third-person antecedents.

1. Clarity Agreement: Examples:

• Ensure clarity by using specific pronouns that clearly refer to their antecedents. Avoid vague or ambiguous pronoun references.

Additional Tips:

• Be cautious with indefinite pronouns like "everyone," "someone," "anyone," etc. They are singular and require singular pronouns.

• Make sure to review the context to ensure that the pronoun matches the intended antecedent.

Exercise: 4.1

fill-in-the-blanks exercise with 30 sentences for practicing pronoun-antecedent agreement:

Exercise: Fill in the Blanks

1. The cat licked ___ paw and then fell asleep.

2. Each student must bring ___ own supplies to class.

3. My brother and I will go to the park with ___ friends.

4. Nobody wants to miss ___ chance to win.

5. Every member of the team needs to do ___ best.

6. The book fell off ___ shelf and onto the floor.

7. The children played with ___ toys in the yard.

8. Each of the students handed in ___ assignments on time.

9. The committee will announce ___ decision tomorrow.

10. Somebody left ___ phone on the table.

11. Everybody loves ___ mother's cooking.

12. None of the guests remembered to bring ___ umbrella.

13. The dog wagged ___ tail when it saw its owner.

14. Either of the contestants can present ___ project first.

15. Nobody should forget ___ keys at home.

16. The company rewarded ___ employees with a bonus.

17. Each participant received ___ certificate of participation.

18. Each child should pick up ___ toys after playing.

19. Somebody is at the door; can you answer ___?

20. Everybody has ___ own preferences.

21. None of the students completed ___ homework.

22. The teacher handed out textbooks to ___ students.

23. Both of the twins received ___ own birthday present.

24. The athlete stretched ___ muscles before the race.

25. Nobody knows ___ true intentions.

26. Each member of the team brought ___ lunch.

27. Somebody forgot to lock ___ car.

28. The committee reached ___ decision after much debate.

29. Everyone is responsible for ___ actions.

30. The child carried ___ backpack to school.

Answers:

1. its

2. their

3. their

4. his or her

5. their

6. its

7. their

8. their

9. its

10. their

11. his or her

12. their

13. its

14. his or her

15. their

16. its

17. a

18. their

19. them

20. their

21. their

22. their

23. their

24. his

25. their

26. their

27. their

28. its

29. their

30. their

Exercise: 4.2

1. The dog barked loudly when they heard a noise outside.

2. Every student must submit their assignment by Friday.

3. Each of the boys brought her own lunch to school.

4. The team celebrated its victory with a party.

5. Neither of the girls finished their homework on time.

6. My sister and I will visit our grandparents next weekend.

7. Somebody left his backpack in the classroom.

8. The committee will announce their decision tomorrow.

9. The cat licked its paw and then fell asleep.

10. Everyone is responsible for his or her own actions.

11. Either of the candidates can present their proposal first.

12. A person should always do his best.

13. The book fell off its shelf and onto the floor.

14. The jury reached its verdict after hours of deliberation.

15. One of the students forgot their notebook at home.

16. Nobody wants to miss his or her chance to win.

17. The child rode his bike to the park.

18. Each member of the group contributed their ideas.

19. The athlete stretched his muscles before the race.

20. Somebody is at the door; can you answer it?

21. Everyone in the class must submit his or her project.

22. Nobody should forget their umbrella on a rainy day.

23. The bird built its nest high in the tree.

24. The company rewarded its employees for their hard work.

25. Each student must bring his or her own supplies to class.

26. Anybody can achieve his or her dreams with hard work.

27. The teacher handed out books to his or her students.

28. Each member of the family has his or her own room.

29. Neither of the twins remembered his or her birthday.

30. Somebody forgot to turn off their computer before leaving.

Answers with Explanation:

1. Incorrect: The pronoun "they" does not agree with the singular antecedent "dog."

• Corrected: The dog barked loudly when it heard a noise outside.

1. Incorrect: "Every student" is singular, so the pronoun "their" is incorrect.

• Corrected: Every student must submit his or her assignment by Friday.

1. Incorrect: "Each of the boys" is singular, so the pronoun "her" is incorrect.

• Corrected: Each of the boys brought his own lunch to school.

1. Correct: The pronoun "its" agrees with the singular antecedent "team."

2. Incorrect: "Neither" is singular, so "their" is incorrect.

• Corrected: Neither of the girls finished her homework on time.

1. Correct: The pronoun "our" agrees with the plural antecedent "sister and I."

2. Correct: "Somebody" is singular, and "his" is a gender-neutral singular pronoun.

3. Incorrect: "The committee" is singular, so "their" is incorrect.

• Corrected: The committee will announce its decision tomorrow.

1. Correct: The pronoun "its" agrees with the singular antecedent "cat."

2. Correct: "Everyone" is singular, and "his or her" is a gender-neutral singular pronoun.

3. Incorrect: "Either" is singular, so "their" is incorrect.

• Corrected: Either of the candidates can present his or her proposal first.

1. Correct: The pronoun "his" is a gender-neutral singular pronoun used with "a person."

2. Correct: The pronoun "its" agrees with the singular antecedent "book."

3. Correct: The pronoun "its" agrees with the singular antecedent "jury."

4. Incorrect: "One" is singular, so "their" is incorrect.

• Corrected: One of the students forgot his or her notebook at home.

1. Incorrect: "Nobody" is singular, so "their" is incorrect.

• Corrected: Nobody wants to miss his or her chance to win.

1. Correct: The pronoun "his" agrees with the singular antecedent "child."

2. Incorrect: "Each member" is singular, so "their" is incorrect.

• Corrected: Each member of the group contributed his or her ideas.

1. Correct: The pronoun "his" agrees with the singular antecedent "athlete."

2. Correct: The pronoun "it" agrees with the singular antecedent "somebody."

3. Correct: "Everyone" is singular, and "his or her" is a gender-neutral singular pronoun.

4. Incorrect: "Nobody" is singular, so "their" is incorrect.

• Corrected: Nobody should forget his or her umbrella on a rainy day.

1. Correct: The pronoun "its" agrees with the singular antecedent "bird."

2. Correct: The pronoun "its" agrees with the singular antecedent "company."

3. Correct: "Each student" is singular, and "his or her" is a gender-neutral singular pronoun.

4. Correct: "Anybody" is singular, and "his or her" is a gender-neutral singular pronoun.

5. Incorrect: "The teacher" is singular, so "his or her" is needed instead of "his."

• Corrected: The teacher handed out books to his or her students.

1. Correct: "Each member of the family" is singular, and "his or her" is a gender-neutral singular pronoun.

2. Correct: "Neither" is singular, and "his or her" is a gender-neutral singular pronoun.
   

1. Incorrect: "Somebody" is singular, so "their" is incorrect.

• Corrected: Somebody forgot to turn off his or her computer before leaving.