Pronoun Agreement Sample

Pronoun agreement is an important concept in English grammar that requires a writer to ensure that pronouns match their antecedents in gender, number, and person. This is not only a matter of clarity and coherence but also of good writing style. In this article, we will examine some examples of pronoun agreement to illustrate how it works.

Example 1: Jane is a doctor. She loves to help her patients.

In this example, the pronoun “she” refers to the antecedent “Jane,” a singular feminine noun. The use of the pronoun “she” is in agreement with the antecedent, making the sentence grammatically correct.

Example 2: The boys played football. They scored three goals.

In this example, the pronoun “they” refers to the antecedent “boys,” a plural noun. The use of the pronoun “they” is in agreement with the antecedent, making the sentence grammatically correct.

Example 3: Sarah and John went to the cinema. They enjoyed the movie.

In this example, the pronoun “they” refers to the antecedent “Sarah and John,” a plural noun. The use of the pronoun “they” is in agreement with the antecedent, making the sentence grammatically correct.

Example 4: The student handed in their essay.

In this example, the use of the pronoun “their” is wrong because it is a plural pronoun used to refer to a singular antecedent “student.” The correct pronoun should be “his or her” or alternatively “their” if the writer wants to use gender-neutral pronouns.

Example 5: Every employee must submit their report.

In this example, the use of the pronoun “their” is wrong because it is a plural pronoun used to refer to a singular noun “employee.” The correct pronoun should be “his or her” or alternatively “their” if the writer wants to use gender-neutral pronouns.

In conclusion, pronoun agreement is an essential aspect of good writing. It helps to ensure clarity and coherence in writing while also making it grammatically correct. As a copy editor, it is important to be careful with pronouns and ensure that they match their antecedents in gender, number, and person. By following these simple rules, you can improve the quality of your writing and communicate your ideas more effectively.