Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Definition

Pronoun-antecedent agreement is an essential aspect of writing that helps to ensure clarity and coherence in sentences. To put it simply, it refers to the proper matching of pronouns to their antecedents (the noun or noun phrase to which the pronoun refers). Without this agreement, a sentence can be confusing or even misleading to the reader.

For instance, consider this sentence: “Jessica told Sally that she would help her with her homework.” Who is “she” referring to in this sentence? Is it Jessica or Sally? Without proper agreement, it is impossible to tell. Therefore, it is crucial to use the correct pronoun for each antecedent to avoid such confusion.

There are a few guidelines to follow when it comes to pronoun-antecedent agreement:

Number: The number of the pronoun (singular or plural) should agree with the number of the antecedent. For example, “The team won their game” is incorrect because “team” is singular, and “their” is plural. Instead, it should be written as “The team won its game.”

Gender: If the antecedent is gender-specific, the pronoun must also be gender-specific. For instance, “The doctor prescribed his medication” is incorrect if the doctor is a female. Instead, it should be written as “The doctor prescribed her medication” or “The doctor prescribed medication.”

Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns (e.g., anyone, someone, nobody, everybody) can be tricky when it comes to agreement because they do not refer to a specific antecedent. In this case, the pronoun should agree with the word it is referring to. For example, “Everyone brought their own dish” is incorrect because “everyone” is singular, and “their” is plural. Instead, it should be written as “Everyone brought his or her own dish” or “Everyone brought their own dish or utensils.”

Collective nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group) can be singular or plural, depending on whether the group is acting as one unit or as individuals. For example, “The family went on their vacation” is incorrect because “family” is singular, so it should be written as “The family went on its vacation.”

In conclusion, pronoun-antecedent agreement is a vital aspect of writing that contributes to clarity and precision in sentences. As a copy editor, it is essential to pay close attention to this agreement to ensure that the intended meaning is conveyed to the reader.