Which Of The Following Sentences Has Correct Pronoun-antecedent Agreement

Mastering Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: Which Sentence is Correct?

Pronoun-antecedent agreement is a fundamental grammatical concept that ensures clarity and precision in writing. It dictates that a pronoun must agree in number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) with its antecedent – the noun or noun phrase it refers to. This article will delve into the intricacies of pronoun-antecedent agreement, providing a comprehensive understanding to help you identify and correct errors. We’ll explore various scenarios, including tricky cases involving collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and compound antecedents. By the end, you'll be able to confidently determine which sentences exhibit correct pronoun-antecedent agreement and effectively revise those that don't.

Understanding the Basics of Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Before we dive into specific examples, let's solidify our understanding of the core principles:

Number Agreement: A singular antecedent requires a singular pronoun, and a plural antecedent requires a plural pronoun. For example:
- Correct: The dog wagged its tail. (Dog is singular; its is singular.)
- Incorrect: The dogs wagged its tail. (Dogs is plural; its is singular.) The correct pronoun is "their".
Gender Agreement: While less frequently emphasized, gender agreement is also important. Pronouns should match the gender of their antecedents.
- Correct: The woman picked up her bag. (Woman is feminine; her is feminine.)
- Correct: The man adjusted his tie. (Man is masculine; his is masculine.)
- Correct: The car is parked in its space. (Car is neuter; its is neuter.)
Person Agreement: Pronouns also need to agree in person (first, second, or third). This is usually less problematic but can be significant in complex sentences. We'll explore this further below.

Common Challenges in Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Several scenarios often lead to errors in pronoun-antecedent agreement. Let's examine them in detail:

1. Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group) can be either singular or plural, depending on whether they refer to the group as a single unit or to the individuals within the group.

Singular: The team celebrated its victory. (The team is acting as a single unit.)
Plural: The team argued amongst themselves about the strategy. (The individuals within the team are acting separately.)

The key is to consider the context. If the collective noun acts as a single entity, use a singular pronoun. If the emphasis is on the individuals within the group, use a plural pronoun.

2. Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, anybody, each) are generally singular, even though they may seem to refer to multiple people.

Correct: Everyone brought their lunch. (While seemingly referring to many, "everyone" is grammatically singular.)
Traditional (but increasingly accepted): Everyone brought his or her lunch. (This avoids the singular "their" but can be cumbersome.)

The use of "their" with singular indefinite pronouns is a subject of ongoing debate. While traditionally considered incorrect, its use is becoming more widely accepted due to its natural flow and inclusivity. However, depending on the context and audience, using "his or her" or rephrasing the sentence may be preferred for greater clarity.

3. Compound Antecedents Joined by "And"

When two or more antecedents are joined by "and," the pronoun is typically plural.

Correct: John and Mary brought their books.

4. Compound Antecedents Joined by "Or" or "Nor"

When two or more antecedents are joined by "or" or "nor," the pronoun agrees with the antecedent closest to it.

Correct: Neither the cat nor the dogs ate their food. (Dogs is plural, thus "their" is correct.)
Correct: Neither the dogs nor the cat ate its food. (Cat is singular, thus "its" is correct.)

5. Intervening Phrases

Phrases that come between the antecedent and the pronoun do not affect the agreement.

Correct: The box, along with all its contents, was placed in its designated spot. (The intervening phrase doesn't change the fact that "box" is singular.)

6. Appositives

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or explains the antecedent. The pronoun agrees with the antecedent, not the appositive.

Correct: My brother, a talented musician, is dedicated to his craft. ("Brother" is singular; therefore, "his" is correct. )

Analyzing Sentences for Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Let's analyze several examples, identifying whether the pronoun-antecedent agreement is correct and explaining the reasoning. We'll use fictitious sentences to demonstrate a variety of scenarios.

Example 1:

The committee reached its decision after lengthy deliberation.

Analysis: Correct. "Committee" is a collective noun functioning as a singular unit, so "its" is the appropriate singular pronoun.

Example 2:

Each of the students completed their assignment.

Analysis: Debatable. While traditionally incorrect because "each" is singular, using "their" is increasingly acceptable in informal writing. A more formal approach would be: "Each of the students completed his or her assignment."

Example 3:

Neither the teacher nor the students brought their textbooks.

Analysis: Correct. The plural antecedent "students" is closer to the pronoun, therefore the plural pronoun "their" is correct.

Example 4:

The dogs and the cat chased its tail.

Analysis: Incorrect. The compound antecedent includes both singular ("cat") and plural ("dogs"). Because the antecedent is plural in essence, the correct pronoun is "their".

Example 5:

Everybody in the class raised their hand.

Analysis: Similar to Example 2. While "everybody" is grammatically singular, "their" is increasingly accepted as correct in casual writing. A more formal approach would be "Everybody in the class raised his or her hand."

Example 6:

The flock of birds, soaring gracefully in the sky, were magnificent in their flight.

Analysis: Correct. The collective noun "flock" acts as a plural antecedent, referring to the individual birds within the group.

Example 7:

The band, known for its unique sound, played a memorable concert.

Analysis: Correct. The collective noun "band" acts as a single unit; therefore, "its" (singular) is appropriate.

Strategies for Avoiding Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Errors

To avoid making mistakes in pronoun-antecedent agreement, consider these strategies:

Identify the antecedent: Carefully locate the noun or noun phrase that each pronoun refers to.
Determine the number and gender of the antecedent: Is the antecedent singular or plural? Masculine, feminine, or neuter?
Choose the appropriate pronoun: Select a pronoun that correctly matches the number and gender of its antecedent.
Read your writing aloud: Reading aloud can help you detect awkward phrasing or inconsistencies that might indicate pronoun-antecedent agreement problems.
Seek feedback: Ask a friend or colleague to review your work and provide feedback on any unclear pronoun references.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What should I do if I have a collective noun that could be interpreted as either singular or plural?

A: Choose the pronoun that best reflects the intended meaning. If you're emphasizing the group as a single unit, use a singular pronoun. If the focus is on the individuals within the group, use a plural pronoun. If ambiguity persists, rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Q: Is it always wrong to use "they" as a singular pronoun?

A: While traditionally incorrect, the use of "they" as a singular pronoun is gaining wider acceptance, especially in informal contexts. However, in formal writing or when aiming for absolute grammatical precision, using "he or she" or rephrasing the sentence is still preferred by many.

Q: What if I have a long, complex sentence with multiple antecedents and pronouns?

A: Break down the sentence into shorter, simpler sentences to improve clarity and reduce the chances of agreement errors.

Q: Are there any resources available to help me improve my understanding of pronoun-antecedent agreement?

A: Numerous grammar handbooks, online resources, and style guides offer comprehensive explanations and examples. Consulting these resources can enhance your grammatical skills.

Conclusion

Mastering pronoun-antecedent agreement is crucial for clear and effective communication. While various challenges can arise—particularly with collective nouns and indefinite pronouns—understanding the core principles and employing the strategies outlined in this article will significantly improve your writing accuracy. By carefully identifying antecedents, determining their number and gender, and selecting the correct pronoun, you can confidently write sentences that are both grammatically sound and readily understood by your readers. Remember that consistent practice and attention to detail are key to achieving proficiency in this fundamental grammatical skill.