Pronoun Antecedent Agreement ~ Avoiding Inappropriate Shifts

Pronoun Antecedent Agreement ~ Avoiding Inappropriate Shifts

A pronoun must match its antecedent in gender, number, and person. An antecedent is the word or phrase for which the pronoun replaces.

Amiya and Emily read their poems.

The antecedent for the pronoun their is Amiya and Emily.

If you go outside in the snow without waterproof gloves, most children will complain of hands that hurt. 

Can you tell what is wrong with this sentence?

If you go outside in the snow without waterproof gloves, most children will complain of hands that hurt.

Pronouns must match in person.

There are two ways to correct this sentence.

1. If children go outside in the snow without waterproof gloves, most of them will complain of hands that hurt.

2. If you go outside in the snow without waterproof gloves, most of you will complain of hands that hurt.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• If you study hard, most students will do well on the test.

• If you study hard, you will do well on the test.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• The students received his reward.

• The students received their reward.

The kids built a snowman and he put a carrot on the snowman for a nose.

Can you tell what is wrong with this sentence?

The kids built a snowman and they put a carrot on the snowman for a nose.

Pronouns must agree in number.

Multiple Choice

Which pronoun would correctly match the underlined antecedent?

Nate writes ___own mystery stories.

• his

• its

• their

These pronouns always match up with a plural pronoun:

• few

• many

• Few of the members had their dues tonight.

• Many of the racers hoped they would have good weather.

These pronouns always match up with a singular pronoun, even though it may seem they would go with a plural one:

• anybody ~ Anybody who has his/her pencil should begin working.

• anyone~ Does anyone need to sharpen his/her pencil?

• each ~ Each of the girls has her pencil.

• everybody ~ Everybody did his/her work.

• everyone ~ Everyone did his/her work.

• nobody ~ Nobody should have to sharpen his/her pencil.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is written correctly?

• Everyone took their cameras to the zoo.

• Everyone took his/her camera to the zoo.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is written correctly?

• Many people couldn't believe his/her eyes.

• Many people couldn't believe their eyes.

Multiple Select

Which of the following sentences is correct?

• Not everyone has made up his/her mind about the vacation plans.

• Not everyone has made up their minds about the vacation plans.

Use singular pronouns when two or more antecedents are joined with the words or/nor.

• Did Davis or DJ have his hat today?

• Neither Alex nor Brantley will have her project ready today.

Use plural pronouns when two or more antecedents are joined with the word and.

• Both Scott and David worked in their yards today.

• Katie and Jana planted their flowers.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is correct?

• Did Tommy or Justin leave his shoes by the door?

• Did Tommy or Justin leave their shoes by the door?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is correct?

• Katie and Shannon can't wait for her summer break!

• Katie and Shannon can't wait for their summer breaks!