PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT

 Pronoun is a word used to stand for (or take the place of) a noun.
 A word can refer to an earlier noun or pronoun in a sentence.
Example:
- President Lincoln delivered Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in 1863.
- President Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address in 1863.

In this sentence, the pronoun his is called the referent because it “refers back.”

It refers back to President Lincoln, the antecedent.

Pronoun – Antecedent Rules

General Rule: A singular pronoun must replace a singular noun; a plural pronoun must replace a
plural noun.

1. A phrase or clause between the subject and verb does not change the number of the
antecedent.
Example: The can (of lima beans) sits on its shelf.

2. Indefinite pronouns as antecedents.

Singular indefinite pronoun antecedents take singular pronoun referents.
Example: Each (of the clerks) does a good deal (of work) around his or her office.

Plural indefinite pronoun antecedents require plural referents.

Example: Both do a good job in their office.

3. Compound subjects joined by and always take a plural referent.

Ex: Jones and Smith made their presentation.

4. With compound subjects joined by or/nor, the referent pronoun agrees with the antecedent
closer to the pronoun.
Ex: Neither the director nor the actors did their jobs.
Ex: Neither the ac tors nor the director did his or her job. (his or her because of gender)

5. Collective Nouns (group, jury, crowd, team, class, etc .) may be singular or plural, depending on
meaning.
Ex: The jury read its verdict. (Singular)
Ex: The jury members gave their individual opinions. (Plural)

6. Titles of single entities. (books, organizations, countries, etc.) take a singular referent.
Ex: The Grapes of Wrath made its characters seem real.
Ex: The United States cherishes its democracy.

7. Plural form subjects with a singular meaning take a singular referent. (news, measles, mumps,
physics, etc)
Ex: The news has lost much of its sting two days later.

8. “Every” or “Many a” before a noun or a series of nouns requires a singular referent.

Ex: Every cow, pig, and horse had lost its life in the fire.
Ex: Many a girl wishes she could sing like Tina Turner.

9. “The number of” vs. “A number of” before a subject.

- The number of is singular.
Ex: The number of volunteers increases its ranks daily.
- A number of is plural.
Ex: A number of volunteers are offering their help.