Pronoun Agreement & Reference
Abridged from Learner English
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents, which is the noun to which pronouns refer.
Singular pronouns are used with singular antecedents, and plural pronouns are used with plural
antecedents.
Examples:
Yes:
Professor Jones finished his lecture. (Singular antecedent, singular pronoun.)
Yes:
The students wrote feverishly on their essays. (Plural antecedent, plural pronoun.)
Compound Antecedents
Compound antecedents are nouns joined by conjunctions. Use plural pronouns with compound
antecedents joined by “and”.
Examples:
Yes:
Anna and Justin wrote feverishly on their essays. (Plural antecedent, plural
pronoun.)
Yes:
The faculty and the students gave their opening remarks. (Plural antecedent, plural
pronoun.)
With compound antecedents joined by “or,” “either…or,” “nor,” “neither…nor,” use pronouns
that agree with the nearest antecedent.
Examples:
Yes:
Michael or Jason should receive an award for his speech. (Nearest singular
compound antecedent, singular pronoun.)
Yes:
Neither Justin nor his classmates could finish their mid-terms in time. (Nearest plural
compound antecedent, plural pronoun.) Indefinite Pronouns
Sometimes antecedents may themselves be pronouns. Use singular pronouns to refer to these
singular indefinite pronouns, i.e. pronouns that refer to nonspecific people or things.
“One” Words: one, anyone, everyone, no one, someone
“Body” Words: anybody, everybody, nobody, somebody
“Thing” Words: everything, something
Other Words: any, each, either, neither, none
Examples:
No:
When someone has been drinking, they are likely to drive recklessly. (Singular
antecedent, plural pronoun.)
Yes:
When someone has been drinking, he or she is likely to drive recklessly. (Singular
antecedent, singular pronoun.)
Yes:
When drivers have been drinking, they are likely to drive recklessly. (Plural
antecedent, plural pronoun.)
Generic and Collective Nouns
A generic noun is one that refers to the typical member of a group. Use a singular pronoun with
generic noun antecedents. A collective noun refers to a group that functions as a unit and not
as an individual. Use a singular pronoun with collective nouns.
Examples:
No:
Every student must study daily if they want to excel. (Singular generic noun
antecedent, plural pronoun.)
Yes:
Every student must study daily if he or she wants to excel. (Singular generic noun
antecedent, singular pronoun.)
Yes:
Students must study daily if they want to excel. (Plural non-generic antecedent,
plural pronoun.)
No:
The Academic Excellence Committee granted their permission to bestow the award.
(Singular collective noun antecedent, plural pronoun.)
Yes:
The Academic Excellence Committee granted its permission to bestow the award.
(Singular collective noun antecedent, plural pronoun.)
Yes:
The Academic Excellence Committee’s members granted their permission to bestow
the award. (Plural antecedent, plural pronoun.)