Usage - Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
A 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 the sentence.
Example:
![](pro_ant1.jpg)
We
do not talk or write this way. Automatically, we replace the noun Lincoln's
with a pronoun. More naturally, we say
![](pro_ant2.jpg)
The
pronoun his refers back to President Lincoln.
President Lincoln is the ANTECEDENT for the pronoun
his.
An
antecedent is a word for which a pronoun stands. (ante =
"before")
The
pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number.
Rule:
A singular pronoun must replace a singular noun; a plural pronoun must replace
a plural noun.
Thus,
the mechanics of the sentence above look like this:
![](pro_antlincoln.jpg)
Here are nine pronoun-antecedent agreement
rules. These rules are related to the rules found in subject-verb
agreement.
1.
A phrase or
clause between the
subject and verb does not change the number of the antecedent.
Example:
![](pro_antlimabeans.jpg)
2.
Indefinite pronouns as antecedents
- Singular indefinite pronoun antecedents take singular pronoun
referents.
![](singirregpron.jpg)
Example:
![](pro_anteach.jpg)
- Plural indefinite
pronoun antecedents require plural referents.
PLURAL:
several, few, both, many
Example:
![](pro_antboth.jpg)
- Some indefinite pronouns that are modified by a
prepositional phrase may be either singular or plural.
EITHER
SINGULAR OR PLURAL: some, any, none, all,
most
![](pro_antuncountable.jpg)
Examples:
![](pro_antsome.jpg)
Sugar is uncountable; therefore, the sentence has a singular referent
pronoun.
![](pro_antall.jpg)
Jewelry is uncountable; therefore, the sentence has a singular referent
pronoun.
![](pro_antcountable.jpg)
Examples:
![](pro_antmarbles.jpg)
Marbles are countable; therefore, the sentence has a plural referent
pronoun.
![](pro_antall2.jpg)
Jewels are countable; therefore, the sentence has a plural referent
pronoun.
3.
Compound subjects joined by and
always take a plural referent.
Example:
![](pro_antand.jpg)
4. With compound
subjects joined by or/nor, the
referent pronoun agrees with the antecedent closer to the pronoun.
Example #1 (plural antecedent closer to pronoun):
![](pro_antnor.jpg)
Example #2 (singular antecedent closer to pronoun):
![](pro_antnor2.jpg)
Note:
Example #1, with the plural antecedent closer to the pronoun, creates a smoother
sentence
than example #2, which forces the use of the singular "his or her."
5.
Collective Nouns
(group,
jury, crowd, team, etc.) may be singular or plural, depending on meaning.
![](pro_antjury.jpg)
In this example, the jury is acting as one unit; therefore, the referent pronoun
is singular.
![](pro_antjury2.jpg)
In
this example, the jury members are acting as twelve individuals; therefore, the
referent
pronoun is plural.
![](pro_antjury3.jpg)
In
this example, the jury members are acting as twelve individuals; therefore, the
referent
pronoun is plural.
6.
Titles of single entities. (books, organizations, countries, etc.) take a singular referent.
EXAMPLES:
![](pro_antbook.jpg)
![](pro_antusa.jpg)
7.
Plural form subjects with a singular
meaning take a singular referent. (news,
measles, mumps, physics, etc)
EXAMPLE:
![](pro_antnews.jpg)
8.
Every or Many
a before a noun or a series of nouns requires a singular
referent.
EXAMPLES:
![](pro_antevery.jpg)
![](pro_antmanya.jpg)
9.
The number of vs
A
number of before a subject:
- The number of is singular.
![](pro_antnumberof.jpg)
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