Mini-Lesson #88From UWF Writing Lab’s 101 Grammar Mini-Lessons Series

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Let’s Go Over the Basics!

1. A pronoun gets its meaning from a specific one-word antecedent, usually a noun or another pronoun that precedes it in the sentence.

2. Every pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender.

3. Number refers to whether the pronoun and the antecedent are singular or plural.

4. Gender refers to whether the pronoun and antecedent are masculine (he, his, him), feminine (she, her, hers), or neuter (it, its)

Some examples…

1. The woman has reached her decision.

2. The man has reached his decision.

3. The jury has reached its decision.

4. The voters have reached their decision.

5. Each voter has reached his or her decision.

Some examples…

1. The woman has reached her decision.

her – singular feminine pronounwoman – singular antecedent

2. The man has reached his decision.

his – singular masculine pronounman – singular antecedent

3. The jury has reached its decision.

its – singular neuter pronounjury – singular antecedent

Some examples…

1. The voters have reached their decision.

their – plural pronounvoters – plural antecedent

2. Each voter has reached his or her decision.

his or her – singular pronouneach voter – singular genderless antecedent

Use “his or her,” not “his/her” when the antecedent is a nameless, dual gender noun.

Let’s Try One.The team has never won on (their/its) home court.

*Use its when the antecedent is a collective noun with a singular meaning.

The coalition launched a campaign to publicize (their/its) cause.

Thomas or Vic should have raised (their/his) hand.

*Use his when the antecedent is two masculine nouns joined by or or nor.

Last one, I promise.

Each student is responsible for doing (their/his or her) own assignment.

The dancer who fails to practice risks injuring (themselves/him or herself).

Each student is responsible for doing (their/his or her) own assignment.

The dancer who fails to practice risks injuring (themselves/himself or herself).