#1 Indefinite Pronoun Agreement

Someone left (a)   bookbag on the bus.

• his
• their

Answer explanation

SOMEONE is always a singular indefinite pronoun-- someONE.

Hence, we use a singular possessive pronoun.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.3.2D

Some of the students missed (a)   bus.

• their
• his

Answer explanation

SOME can be either singular or plural.

In this case, SOME refers to SOME students (plural), so we use a plural possessive pronoun.

In other cases, SOME refers to a singular amount and requires a singular pronoun, as in: I ate SOME of the cake. IT was delicious.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.3.2D

Everyone lost (a)   shoes during the dance.

• his or her
• their

Answer explanation

EVERYONE is a singular indefinite pronoun. EveryONE.

Therefore, we use singular possessive pronouns (his/her).

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

Neither student brought (a)   book to class.

• his or her
• their

Answer explanation

EITHER/NEITHER are always singular.

Therefore, we use the singular possessive pronoun.

Exception: either/or and neither/nor compounds, when we agree with the word that comes closest to the verb

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

A few of the birds lost (a)   feathers.

• their
• his

Answer explanation

FEW is always a plural indefinition pronoun.

Therefore, we use the plural possessive pronoun their.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

Nobody did (a)   homework last night.

• his or her
• their

Answer explanation

NOBODY is always singular.

NoBODY = one body

Therefore, we use a singular possesive pronoun (his/her).

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

Did anyone do (a)   assignment?

• his
• their

Answer explanation

ANYONE is always a singular indefinite pronoun.

AnyONE = one person

Therefore, we use a singular possessive pronoun.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

Many students brought (a)   devices to school.

• their
• his or her

Answer explanation

MANY is always a plural indefinite prponoun.

Therefore, we use a plural possessive pronoun.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

Each dog ate (a)   food.

• its
• their

Answer explanation

EACH is always a singular indefinite pronoun.

Therefore, we use the singular possessive pronoun "its."

Also note:

its (no apostrophe) = possessive

it's (w/ apostrophe) = it is

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.3.2D

If anyone has any information, ​ (a)   should come forward.

• he or she
• they

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D