Noun-Pronoun Agreement

​Digital SAT

Grammar Section


Lesson 7

​Pronoun & Noun
Agreement

​Pronoun and noun agreement, often referred to as pronoun-antecedent agreement, is the grammatical rule that a pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender, and person. Here's a breakdown of each aspect:

1. Number: A singular noun should be replaced by a singular pronoun, and a plural noun should be replaced by a plural pronoun.

Singular: The student forgot his book.

Plural: The students forgot their books.

2. Gender: Pronouns must match the gender of the nouns they replace, whether they are masculine, feminine, or neutral.

Masculine: The boy lost his toy.

Feminine: The girl found her doll.​

3. Person: Pronouns must agree in person (first person, second person, third person) with the antecedent.


First person: I lost my keys

Second person: You forgot your coat.

Third person: She brought her lunch.

Common Mistakes

1. Indefinite Pronouns: Words like "everyone," "someone," "each," and "nobody" are singular and require singular pronouns.

Ex: Everyone must bring his or her own lunch.

2. Collective Nouns: Words like "team," "group," or "family" may take singular or plural pronouns depending on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individuals.

Singular: The team won its game.

Plural: The team celebrated their victories.

3. Consistency: Be consistent in using pronouns to avoid confusion.

Ex: If a student wants to succeed, he or she must study hard.

Practice

​1. The committee has reached ______ decision. (its/their)

2. Each of the students must bring ______ own lunch. (his or her/their)

3. Neither of the girls brought ______ jacket. (her/their)

4. Someone left ______ bag in the classroom. (his or her/their)

5. The team celebrated ______ victory. (its/their)

6. If anyone calls, tell ______ I’m not home. (him or her/them)

7. Every member of the family has ______ own responsibilities. (his or her/their)

8. Both of the teachers gave ______ lectures. (his or her/their)

9. The orchestra played ______ best at the concert. (its/their)

10. Each employee must submit ______ report by Friday. (his or her/their)

11. The company will announce ______ decision next week. (its/their)

12. Many of the participants forgot to bring ______ registration forms. (his or her/their)

​1. The committee has reached its decision.

2. Each of the students must bring his or her own lunch.

3. Neither of the girls brought her jacket.

4. Someone left his or her bag in the classroom.

5. The team celebrated its victory.

6. If anyone calls, tell him or her I’m not home.

7. Every member of the family has his or her own responsibilities.

8. Both of the teachers gave their lectures.

9. The orchestra played its best at the concert.

10. Each employee must submit his or her report by Friday.

11. The company will announce its decision next week.

12. Many of the participants forgot to bring their registration forms.