When it comes to writing, there are a lot of rules to follow. One of the most important rules to keep in mind is pronoun agreement. Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns, such as she, he, they, and it. Pronoun agreement is the correct matching of pronouns with the nouns they replace.

Pronoun agreement can be tricky for many writers, especially if they are not familiar with the rules. The good news is that with some practice, anyone can learn to identify and correct pronoun agreement errors. In this article, we`ll go over some common mistakes and how to fix them.

1. Agreement in Number

Pronouns must agree in number with the nouns they replace. This means that if a noun is singular, the pronoun that replaces it must be singular as well. Likewise, if a noun is plural, the pronoun that replaces it must be plural.

For example:

– Incorrect: The team lost their game.

– Correct: The team lost its game.

In the example above, the noun „team“ is singular, so the pronoun „its“ (singular) should be used instead of „their“ (plural).

2. Agreement in Gender

Pronouns must also agree in gender with the nouns they replace. This means that if a noun is masculine, the pronoun that replaces it must be masculine as well. Likewise, if a noun is feminine, the pronoun that replaces it must be feminine.

For example:

– Incorrect: The doctor said he or she will see you now.

– Correct: The doctor said they will see you now.

In the example above, the use of „they“ as a singular pronoun avoids the need to choose between „he“ and „she“ and is becoming more widely accepted as the traditional binary gender system is challenged.

3. Agreement in Person

Pronouns must also agree in person with the nouns they replace. This means that if a noun is in the third person (he, she, it), the pronoun that replaces it must also be in the third person.

For example:

– Incorrect: The student said I need to study more.

– Correct: The student said they need to study more.

In the example above, „they“ is used instead of „I“ because the student is referring to themselves in the third person.

4. Agreement with Antecedents

Finally, pronouns must agree with their antecedents, which are the nouns they replace. This means that pronouns must match the gender, number, and person of the noun they are replacing.

For example:

– Incorrect: My sister and I went to the store. She bought a dress.

– Correct: My sister and I went to the store. I bought a dress.

In the example above, „she“ does not agree with the antecedent „My sister and I,“ which is plural. „I“ is the correct pronoun to use in this case.

In conclusion, pronoun agreement is an important element of writing that can impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. By following the rules outlined above, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and easy to read.