Understanding Pronoun Reference and Antecedent Agreement
Discover the essentials of pronouns, antecedents, and their agreement in this informative content. Learn about pronoun usage, types of errors that can occur, and how to correct them. Enhance your grammar skills to ensure clear and effective communication.
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Pronoun Reference and Antecedent Agreement Adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon
Definitions A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun: noun noun Herbie is Ellie s hamster. pronoun pronoun He is her hamster. An antecedent is the word the pronoun refers to or takes the place of: antecedent 1 pronoun 1 antecedent 2 Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and can t tell pronoun 2 where to find them.
It's All about Agreement Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in two ways: gender and number. Andrew has lost his wallet. Andrew is male, and the masculine pronoun his replaces his name. All the tools are in their proper places. There are multiple tools, and the plural pronoun their replaces the tools.
Oops! Ambiguous Antecedent This type of error occurs when a given pronoun could refer to one of many possible antecedents. The partnership between Justin and Paul dissolved when he retired. Who retired is unclear. Replace he with the word to which he was meant to refer. The partnership between Justin and Paul dissolved when Justin retired.
Oops! Remote Antecedent This type of error occurs when an antecedent is too far away from its pronoun, making the relationship between the two unclear. The ultramodern condominiums are located in an area of town where there are no streetlights. However, they are perfectly safe. Who or what is perfectly safe? They is too far away from its referent to be clear. Replace they with the word or phrase to which it was meant to refer. The ultramodern condominiums are located in an area of town where there are no streetlights. However, these condominiums are perfectly safe.
Oops! Implied Antecedent This type of error occurs when the antecedent is implied rather than stated. Randi thinks flying is the best way to travel though she has never been on one. What Randi has never been on is unclear. Replace one with the word or phrase to which it was meant to refer. Randi thinks flying is the best way to travel though she has never been on an airplane.
Oops! Broad Antecedent This type of error results from the use of which, it, this, or that to refer to an entire sentence or idea. The cost of living increased another two percent, which caused a serious problem for people who earn low wages. Which should refer to a single word, not an entire idea. Insert a specific word or phrase before which. The cost of living increased another two percent, a situation which caused a serious problem for people who earn low wages.
Oops! Indefinite Antecedent This type of error occurs when a pronoun refers to an unseen or unknown group or entity. When I read the actor s autobiography, it made me realize what hard work acting is. It refers to an unknown entity. Replace it with the word or phrase to which it was meant to refer. When I read the actor s autobiography, her story made me realize what hard work acting is.
Oops! Unexpressed Antecedent This type of error occurs when a pronoun refers to a noun that is not present. The library is a great place to work, but they have to stand up often. They does not have an antecedent. Replace they with the word or phrase to which it was meant to refer. The library is a great place to work, but the library employees have to stand up often.
Word to Watch for: It It Mr. Grey is skeptical about climate change. It does not surprise me. It does not have a clear antecedent. Reword the sentence to include a that clause. I am not surprised that Mr. Grey is skeptical about climate change.
Word to Watch for: This This Mr. Grey is skeptical about climate change. This does not surprise me. This does not have a clear antecedent. After this, insert the word or phrase to which this was meant to refer. Mr. Grey is skeptical about climate change. This attitude does not surprise me.
Word to Watch for: That That Mr. Grey is skeptical about climate change. That does not surprise me. That lacks a clear antecedent. After that, add a specific word or phrase. Mr. Grey is skeptical about climate change. That attitude does not surprise me. Some people take this rule to mean one must never use the word that in writing. However, there are important uses for that that don t involve vague pronoun references. That as a demonstrative determiner: How much is that doggy in the window? That as a relative pronoun: Bre has a cough that won t go away. That as a nominalizer: I know that you were eavesdropping.
Word to Watch for: Which Which Mr. Grey is skeptical about climate change, which does not surprise me. Which should refer to a specific noun, not the entire idea. Insert a specific word or phrase before which. Our contractor is skeptical about solar energy, a fact which does not surprise me.
Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite pronouns ending with -body, -one, and -thing are singular: Anybody Anyone Anything Nobody No one Nothing Somebody Someone Something The following indefinite pronouns are plural: Both Many Few Others
Collective Nouns Antecedents can refer to a group as a whole or to the individuals of the group. Which pronoun one should use depends upon what the pronoun refers to. Collective Use: The jury has decided its verdict. The antecedent jury is singular because the members of the jury are working as a unit. Plural Use: The jury members are ordering different meals for their lunches. The antecedent jury is plural because the members of the jury are working individually. To improve clarity, add the word members after jury.
Compound Antecedents Use plural pronouns when and joins two items in the antecedent. Since Stewart and Rosemary built a cabin in the mountains, they are blissfully happy. The antecedent Stewart and Rosemary is plural because it refers to more than one person. Match the antecedent with the plural pronoun they.
Compound Antecedents When either . . . or and neither . . . nor join two items in the antecedent, match the pronoun with the closer antecedent. Neither the students nor Mrs. Moore found her way to the conference room. The sentence above is technically correct, but it demonstrates that this rule can produce an awkward situation in which a singular pronoun appears to refer to a plural antecedent. Avoid this problem by putting the singular noun first and the plural noun closer to the pronoun. Neither Mrs. Moore nor her students found their way to the conference room. Because the plural antecedent her students is closer to the pronoun than the singular pronoun Mrs. Moore is, match the antecedent with the plural pronoun their.
