Usage - Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
A word can refer to an earlier noun or pronoun in the sentence.
Example:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_ant1.jpg)
We do not talk or write this way. Automatically, we replace the noun Lincoln's with a pronoun. More naturally, we say
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_ant2.jpg)
The pronoun his refers back to President Lincoln. President Lincoln is the ANTECEDENT for the pronoun his.
An antecedent is a word for which a pronoun stands. (ante = "before")
The pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number.
Rule: A singular pronoun must replace a singular noun; a plural pronoun must replace a plural noun.
Thus, the mechanics of the sentence above look like this:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antlincoln.jpg)
Here are nine pronoun-antecedent agreement rules. These rules are related to the rules found in subject-verb agreement.
1. A phrase or clause between the subject and verb does not change the number of the antecedent.
Example:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antlimabeans.jpg)
2. Indefinite pronouns as antecedents
- Singular indefinite pronoun antecedents take singular pronoun referents.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/singirregpron.jpg)
Example:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_anteach.jpg)
- Plural indefinite pronoun antecedents require plural referents.
PLURAL: several, few, both, many
Example:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antboth.jpg)
- Some indefinite pronouns that are modified by a prepositional phrase may be either singular or plural.
EITHER SINGULAR OR PLURAL: some, any, none, all, most
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antuncountable.jpg)
Examples:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antsome.jpg)
Sugar is uncountable; therefore, the sentence has a singular referent pronoun.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antall.jpg)
Jewelry is uncountable; therefore, the sentence has a singular referent pronoun.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antcountable.jpg)
Examples:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antmarbles.jpg)
Marbles are countable; therefore, the sentence has a plural referent pronoun.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antall2.jpg)
Jewels are countable; therefore, the sentence has a plural referent pronoun.
3. Compound subjects joined by and always take a plural referent.
Example:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antand.jpg)
4. With compound subjects joined by or/nor, the referent pronoun agrees with the antecedent closer to the pronoun.
Example #1 (plural antecedent closer to pronoun):
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antnor.jpg)
Example #2 (singular antecedent closer to pronoun):
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antnor2.jpg)
5. Collective Nouns (group, jury, crowd, team, etc.) may be singular or plural, depending on meaning.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antjury.jpg)
In this example, the jury is acting as one unit; therefore, the referent pronoun is singular.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antjury2.jpg)
In this example, the jury members are acting as twelve individuals; therefore, the referent
pronoun is plural.
pronoun is plural.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antjury3.jpg)
In this example, the jury members are acting as twelve individuals; therefore, the referent
pronoun is plural.
pronoun is plural.
6. Titles of single entities. (books, organizations, countries, etc.) take a singular referent.
EXAMPLES:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antbook.jpg)
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antusa.jpg)
7. Plural form subjects with a singular meaning take a singular referent. (news, measles, mumps, physics, etc)
EXAMPLE:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antnews.jpg)
EXAMPLES:
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antevery.jpg)
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antmanya.jpg)
- The number of is singular.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antnumberof.jpg)
- A number of is plural.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/pro_antnumberof2.jpg)
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