Pronoun Rule #1 - Agreement in Number



Pronoun Agreement in Number – The RULES

In grammar, number indicates how many, whether something is singular (one) or plural (more than one). Pronouns should always agree with their antecedents in number.

RULE 1: Compound Subjects (And) - When two or more antecedents are joined by the word "and," then the pronoun referent should be plural.

Incorrect Ex: Helen and Allie showed us her Easter hat.

Revised Ex: Helen and Allie showed us their Easter hats.

RULE 2: Compound Subjects (Or / Nor) - When two or more singular antecedents are joined by the word "or" or "nor," then the pronoun referent should agree with the nearest of the antecedents.

Incorrect Ex: Either the officers or Jeff will present their ideas at the meeting.

Revised Ex: Either the officers or Jeff will present his ideas at the meeting.

RULE 3: A phrase or clause between the subject and verb does not change the number of the antecedent.

Incorrect Ex: The can of lima beans sits on their shelf.

Revised Ex: The can of lima beans sits on its shelf.

RULE 4: Collective nouns need either singular or plural pronouns, depending on the situation. When the collective noun acts as a unit, use a third person singular pronoun (it). When the individual members of the collective are acting individually, use the third person plural (they).

Incorrect Ex: The committee is going to give their approval on Tuesday.

Revised Ex: The committee is going to give its approval on Tuesday. (In this case, the committee is acting as a unit, so the singular pronoun is called for.)

Incorrect Ex: The jury members read its opinions.

Revised Ex: The jury members read their opinions. (In this case, the jury members are acting as twelve individuals, so the plural pronoun is used.)

RULE 5: Singular Indefinite Pronouns refer to a non-specific person or thing. They seem to be plural, but they are really singular. Use singular pronouns to replace: each, either, neither, one, no one, nobody, nothing, anyone, anybody, anything, someone, somebody, everyone, everybody, everything.

Incorrect Ex.: Everyone wants to take their essay home to complete it.

Revised Ex.: Everyone wants to take his or her essay home to complete it.

RULE 6: Plural Indefinite Pronouns refer non-specific people or things. Use plural pronouns to replace: several, few, both, many

Incorrect Ex: Both do a good job in his or her office

Revised Ex. Both do a good job in their office.

Pronoun Practice – Agreement in Number

In the space provided, fix the underlined error or write “CORRECT.”

______________ 1. Nobody knows that eating chocolate-broccoli muffins is a good way to provide their bodies with vitamin C.

______________2. The troupe of knife jugglers shocked their audience when a butcher knife accidentally decapitated the head of an old woman's poodle.

______________3. Both the computer monitor and the refrigerator door have its shiny surface smeared with dog snot from our curious puppy Oreo.

______________4. Which member of your track team makes their opponents resemble turtles trying to compete with a hare?

______________5. The new and improved laundry detergent restored Hector’s mud-stained pants to its original condition.

______________6. After feeding several quarters into the gumball machine, a person learns that they have little chance of receiving the miniature camera in the display.

______________7. Mrs. Carson, like every other American literature teacher, has their own interpretation of the symbols in Moby-Dick.

______________8. Every puppy and kitten will cry at night until their owner comes to carry it to bed.

______________9. My grandmother, as well as too many other Americans, believes every word they read in the National Enquirer.

______________10. If anyone wishes to try one of Louise's famous fudge-stuffed mushrooms, they had better hurry before the guests devour all of these delicious treats.

______________11. Each of these computers has their own technical glitch that can frustrate the user.

______________12. If Tito’s Taco Palace continues to increase their prices, Samantha won't be able to afford the cheapest lunch burrito.

______________ 13. Neither Floyd the dog nor Madison’s three cats enjoy sleeping on the hard, cold floor when he can jump onto the soft, warm bed as soon as she leaves for work.

______________ 14. Every neighbor on my street looked up in surprise as the giant spaceship descended from the sky and hovered above their heads.

______________ 15. Someone in the apartment needs to remember to buy shampoo unless everyone wants to wash their hair tomorrow morning with dish soap.

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