Introduction to Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

OVERVIEW

Pronoun-antecedent agreement requires that the pronoun agree with the noun that it replaces. To agree, the noun and the pronoun must have the same form. That is, both must be singular or both must be plural.

WATCH EXAMPLES

The video illustrates pronoun-antecedent agreement.

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READ EXAMPLES

A pronoun takes the place of noun clearly when a pronoun’s form (singular or plural) is the same as the noun’s form. This is called pronoun-antecedent agreement. Consider these sentences:

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In this sentence, person is the antecedent—the noun that comes before and is being replaced by—the pronoun their. Person (singular) does not agree with their (plural). To correct the error, use a singular pronoun such as her.

To agree, a pronoun and the noun it refers to must both be singular, or they must both be plural.

CONTINUE THROUGH THE UNIT

Pronoun-antecedent agreement is just one of three strategies for choosing the correct pronoun. Continue through the unit to learn more about pronoun case and pronoun reference.

Read through all the study pages before practicing with LearningCurve. Like the pre/post-tests (if assigned), this LearningCurve activity covers pronoun-antecedent agreement, pronoun case, and pronoun reference.

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