Proper Agreement Pronoun Antecedent

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• Dec 1, 2022
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Proper Agreement: A Guide to Pronoun-Antecedent Usage

As a copy editor, one of the most common errors I come across is improper agreement between pronouns and their antecedents. Pronouns are words that refer to a noun or another pronoun, and antecedents are the nouns or pronouns that pronouns refer to. When these two do not agree in gender, number, or person, it can lead to confused or unclear writing.

Here are some tips to ensure proper agreement between pronouns and antecedents:

1. Identify your antecedent. Before you use a pronoun, make sure you know what noun or pronoun it is referring to. If you are unsure, go back and find the antecedent in the preceding sentence or paragraph.

2. Use the correct pronoun form. Pronouns have different forms depending on their use in the sentence. For example, use “he” as the subject of a sentence but “him” as the object. Use “she” as the subject but “her” as the object.

3. Match the gender. Use pronouns that match the gender of the antecedent. For example, if the antecedent is “Mary,” use “she” instead of “he.”

4. Match the number. Use pronouns that match the number of the antecedent. If the antecedent is singular, use a singular pronoun like “he,” “she,” or “it.” If the antecedent is plural, use a plural pronoun like “they,” “them,” or “we.”

5. Match the person. Use pronouns that match the person of the antecedent. If the antecedent is first person (I), use a first-person pronoun (me, we, us). If the antecedent is second person (you), use a second-person pronoun (you). If the antecedent is third person (he, she, it, they), use a third-person pronoun (he, she, it, they).

6. Avoid ambiguous antecedents. Do not use pronouns that could refer to more than one antecedent or that are unclear in their reference. For example, avoid using “it” to refer to multiple nouns in the same sentence.

7. Use consistent pronoun usage. If you use a certain pronoun to refer to an antecedent, continue to use that same pronoun throughout the rest of the text.

Following these guidelines will help you use pronouns correctly and create writing that is clear and grammatically correct. By using proper pronoun-antecedent agreement, your writing will be more professional and effective, and you will avoid confusion or misunderstandings.