22a. Singular with singular, plural with plural (indefinite pronouns, generic nouns)
Writers are frequently tempted to use plural pronouns to refer to two kinds of singular antecedents: indefinite pronouns and generic nouns.
Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things. Even though some of the following indefinite pronouns may seem to have plural meanings, treat them as singular in formal English.
| anybody | each | everyone | nobody | somebody |
| anyone | either | everything | no one | someone |
| anything | everybody | neither | nothing | something |
When a plural pronoun refers mistakenly to a singular indefinite pronoun, you can usually choose one of three options for revision:
- Replace the plural pronoun with he or she (or his or her).
- Make the antecedent plural.
- Rewrite the sentence so that no problem of agreement exists.
Because the he or she construction is wordy, often the second or third revision strategy is more effective. Using he (or his) to refer to persons of either sex, while less wordy, is considered sexist, as is using she (or her) for all persons. Some writers alternate male and female pronouns throughout a text, but the result is often awkward. See 17f and the chart at the bottom of the page for strategies that avoid sexist usage.
note: If you change a pronoun from singular to plural (or vice versa), check to be sure that the verb agrees with the new pronoun (see 21e).
Generic nouns
A generic noun represents a typical member of a group, such as a typical student, or any member of a group, such as any lawyer. Although generic nouns may seem to have plural meanings, they are singular.
When a plural pronoun refers mistakenly to a generic noun, you will usually have the same three revision options as mentioned above for indefinite pronouns.
Choosing a revision strategy that avoids sexist language
Because many readers object to sexist language, avoid using he, him, and his (or she, her, and hers) to refer to both men and women. Also try to avoid the wordy expressions he or she and his or her. More graceful alternatives are usually possible.
Use an occasional he or she (or his or her).
Make the antecedent plural.
Recast the sentence.
