Proper pronoun agreement is a fundamental aspect of good writing. It may seem like a small detail, but incorrect pronoun usage can make your writing unclear and confusing to your readers. One common mistake is improper pronoun agreement. This occurs when the pronoun used does not match its antecedent in number or gender.
Number Agreement
Number agreement refers to the matching of singular and plural nouns with their corresponding pronouns. The easiest way to ensure proper number agreement is to remember that singular nouns require singular pronouns, and plural nouns require plural pronouns.
For example, consider the following sentence:
Incorrect: Every student should bring their book to class.
Correct: Every student should bring his or her book to class.
The pronoun “their” is plural, while the noun “student” is singular. To correct this, we need to use a singular pronoun, such as “his or her.”
Gender Agreement
Gender agreement refers to the matching of pronouns with the gender of their antecedents. While it may seem like a simple task, gender agreement can be tricky, especially when the gender of the antecedent is unclear or when referring to a group of people with different genders.
For example, consider the following sentence:
Incorrect: The doctor saw the patient, and then they prescribed medication.
Correct: The doctor saw the patient, and then he or she prescribed medication.
In the first example, the pronoun “they” is unclear in its gender, while “he or she” is specific and clear.
Another example of gender agreement is when referring to a group of people with different genders. Many people default to using masculine pronouns when referring to groups, but this can exclude those who do not identify as male.
For instance, consider the following sentence:
Incorrect: The employees should submit their timesheets by Friday.
Correct: The employees should submit their timesheets by Friday. (No change needed in this case!)
In this example, there is no need to change the pronoun, as “their” is a gender-neutral pronoun that can apply to people of any gender.
Conclusion
Proper pronoun agreement may seem like a small detail, but it is a critical aspect of clear and effective writing. By ensuring that your pronouns match their antecedents in number and gender, you can create writing that is more accessible and inclusive for all your readers.