Agreement with generic nouns

A generic noun represents a typical member or members of a group, such as a typical student or typical musicians, or any member of a group, such as any lawyer. Although singular generic nouns may seem to have plural meanings, they must be treated as singular.

Example sentence: Every runner must train vigorously if he or she wants [not 'they want'] to excel.

When a plural pronoun refers mistakenly to a generic noun, you will usually have three revision options.

  1. Replace the plural pronoun with he or she (or his or her).

    Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: A medical student must study hard if they want to succeed. Revised sentence: A medical student must study hard if he or she wants to succeed.

  2. Make the antecedent plural.

    Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: A medical student must study hard if they want to succeed. Revised sentence: Medical students must study hard if they want to succeed.

  3. Rewrite the sentence so that no problem of agreement exists.

    Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: A medical student must study hard if they want to succeed. Revised sentence: A medical student must study hard to succeed.

Exercise: Pronoun-antecedent agreement 1

Exercise: Pronoun-antecedent agreement 2

Exercise: Pronoun-antecedent agreement 3

Exercise: Pronoun-antecedent agreement 4