What is pronoun antecedent agreement?

Answer 1

Pronoun-antecedent agreement is a grammatical concept that ensures that pronouns and their antecedents (the words they refer to) match in number and gender. This agreement is crucial for clarity and coherence in writing, as it helps readers understand the relationships between pronouns and the nouns they represent. When there is a lack of agreement, it can lead to confusion or ambiguity in a sentence.

Answer 2

The 'pronoun antecedent agreement' is ensuring that the pronoun used agrees in number (singular or plural) and gender (he, she, or it) with antecedent (the word that the pronoun is replacing).

For example, "When George got to 19th Street, hegot off the train."

"George" is the antecedent of "he"; both are singular and words for a male.

Answer 3

A pronoun is a substitute for a noun. An antecedent is the noun that the pronoun is standing in for.

The definition of pronoun-antecedent agreement is that the pronoun used must agree in number (singular, plural) and gender (male, female, neuter) with the noun antecedent. Example:

Judge John Lee insists on proper dress in his courtroom.

His agrees with the noun, Judge John Lee, one person and a male.

...in its courtroom. or ...in their courtroom would not agree. Its means belongs to a thing, not a person; their means belonging to more than one person.

Answer 4

A pronoun is a substitute for a noun. An antecedent is the noun that the pronoun is standing in for. The pronoun used must agree in number (singular, plural) and gender (male, female, neuter) with the noun antecedent. Example:

Judge John Lee insists on proper dress in hiscourtroom.

His agrees with the noun, Judge John Lee, one person and a male.

...in its courtroom. or ...in their courtroom would not agree. Its means belongs to a thing, not a person; their means belonging to more than one person.

Answer 5

An example for indefinite pronoun-antecedent agreement:

• We invited five people but none have arrived yet.

Often, there is no antecedent for an indefinite pronoun:

• You may have some, there is more in the kitchen.

Indefinite pronouns are not gender or case specific but some of the indefinite pronouns are singular only or plural only, and some can be singular or plural. Examples:

Singular indefinite pronoun

• another
• anybody, anyone, anything
• each
• either
• enough
• everybody, everyone, everything
• less
• little
• much
• neither
• nobody, no one, nothing
• one
• other
• somebody, someone, something

Plural indefinite pronouns

• both
• few
• fewer
• many
• others
• several
• they (people in general)

Singular or plural indefinite pronouns

• all
• any
• more
• most
• none
• some
• such

Answer 6

The number and the gender of the pronoun and its antecedent should match; the verb should reflect if the subject is singular or plural. Examples:

John makes his bed every morning.

They make their beds every morning.

I bought a new sofa. It is being delivered today.

I bought new chairs. They are being delivered today.

Answer 7

A pronoun is a substitute for a noun.

An antecedent is the noun that the pronoun is standing in for.

The pronoun used must agree in number (singular, plural) and gender (male, female, neuter) with the noun antecedent.

Example:

Judge John Lee insists on proper dress in hiscourtroom.

His agrees with the noun, Judge John Lee, one person and a male.

...in its courtroom. or ...in their courtroom would not agree. Its means belongs to a thing, not a person; their means belonging to more than one person.

More examples:

My mother loves to bake, she sent these cookies for you.

Mr. Jenkins is my neighbor and mom also made himsome cookies.

The puppies are really fun. I love to play with them.

Both of my uncles are teachers and they often help me with my homework.

The tree took a beating in the storm which broke several of its branches.

Toni and I helped each other study for this test, and we both received an 'A'.

Answer 8

Yes, the term "pronoun-antecedent agreement" is correct. It means that a pronoun must match the noun it replaces in:

• person (first, second, or third person)
• number (singular or plural)
• gender (male, female, or neuter)