Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Definition: A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun or a noun phrase (called the pronoun's antecedent.)

1. The pronoun you use to refer to a noun must be singular if the noun is singular and plural if the noun is plural.
2. When two or more nouns are joined by "and," the pronoun that refers to them must be plural. The only exception occurs when the two nouns describe the same person or from a single unit.
3. When two or more nouns are joined by "or," "nor," "either or," or "neither nor," the pronoun is singular if both nouns are singular, and plural if both nouns are plural. If one noun is singular and the other plural, the pronoun agrees with the noun that is nearer to it.
4. Many indefinite pronouns ("each," "everyone," "everybody," "everything," "anybody," "anyone," "either," "neither," "no one," "someone," and "something") always take singular verbs, and singular personal pronouns are used to refer to them.
5. A few indefinite pronouns ("both," "few," "many," "others," "ones," and "several") are always plural.
6. A few indefinite pronouns ("all," "any," "enough," "more," "most," "none," "and "some") may either be singular or plural, depending on their context.
7. When a collective noun (such as "team," "group," or "chorus") applies to the group as a whole, use a singular pronoun to refer to that noun. When a collective pronoun refers to members acting individually, choose a plural pronoun.

1		Each of the participants was required to have their height and weight recorded.
			A)	Each of the participants was required to have his or her height and weight recorded.
			B)	All of the participants were required to have his or her height and weight recorded.
			C)	Each of the participants was required to have their height and weight recorded.
2		Putting a student in a testing-only atmosphere may put unnecessary pressure on them.
			A)	Putting students in a testing-only atmosphere may put unnecessary pressure on him or her.
			B)	Putting students in a testing-only atmosphere may put unnecessary pressure on them.
			C)	Putting a student in a testing-only atmosphere may put unnecessary pressure on them.
3		Each individual must decide how much risk they can handle.
			A)	All individuals must decide how much risk he or she can handle.
			B)	Each individual must decide how much risk she or he can handle.
			C)	Each individual must decide how much risk they can handle.
4		When a student sees his or her friends doing well, they want to do better.
			A)	When a student sees his or her friends doing well, they want to do better.
			B)	When students see their friends doing well, they want to do better.
			C)	When a student sees his or her friends doing well, they want to do better.
5		Judging a person by the color of their skin is as absurd as judging someone by what kind of clothes they wear.
			A)	Judging a person by the color of his or her skin is as absurd as judging someone by what kind of clothes he or she wears.
			B)	Judging persons by the color of his or her skin is as absurd as judging everyone by what kind of clothes he or she wears.
			C)	Judging a person by the color of their skin is as absurd as judging someone by what kind of clothes they wear.
6		Every player cleaned out their locker immediately after the season's final game.
			A)	Every player cleaned out her locker immediately after the season's final game.
			B)	All players cleaned out her locker immediately after the season's final game.
			C)	Every player cleaned out their locker immediately after the season's final game.
7		The following passage is adapted from a student essay discussing violence on television. Edit it to correct pronoun-antecedent errors by choosing the correct revision from the alternatives offered below each of the numbered exercises. Be sure your revision choices maintain pronoun-antecedent agreement within the paragraph. The numbers in brackets [ ] identify each sentence. Which one of the following editing choices corrects pronoun-antecedent errors in sentence [1]?
			A)	In my opinion, a child seem to be affected most by violence on television.
			B)	In my opinion, children seems to be affected most by violence on television.
			C)	In my opinion, children seem to be affected most by violence on television.
8		Which one of the following editing choices corrects pronoun-antecedent errors in [2]? Show sentences again.
			A)	When an adult reaches a certain age, he or she begins to discover who they want to be and what they want to do with their lives.
			B)	When adults reach a certain age, they begin to discover who they want to be and what they want to do with their lives.
			C)	When an adult reaches a certain age, they begin to discover who they want to be and what they want to do with their lives.
9		Which one of the following editing choices corrects pronoun-antecedent errors in [3]? Show sentences again.
			A)	However, children are just beginning to grow up and explore the world.
			B)	However, a child is just beginning to grow up and explore his or her world.
			C)	However, a child is just beginning to grow up and explore the world.
10		Which of one of the following editing choices corrects pronoun-antecedent errors in sentences [4] - [5]? Show sentences again.
			A)	When he or she sees anything negative, like violence, he or she often thinks it is permissible and may adopt similar behaviors unless he or she is corrected by someone older and wiser. Television should not be held responsible for the violence in this world.
			B)	When they see anything negative, like violence, they often thinks it is permissible and may adopt similar behaviors unless he or she is corrected by someone older and wiser. Television should not be held responsible for the violence in this world.
			C)	When they see anything negative, like violence, they often think it is permissible and may adopt similar behaviors unless they are corrected by someone older and wiser. Television should not be held responsible for the violence in this world.
11		Which of one of the following editing choices corrects pronoun-antecedent errors in sentences [6] - [8]? Show sentences again.
			A)	I cannot state strongly enough that the violent acts shown on television have left, and continue to leave, their mark on viewers. It is not enough to turn down the volume or close our eyes for a moment. Sometimes, the set needs to be turned off.
			B)	I cannot state strongly enough that a violent act shown on television has left, and continue to leave, their mark on viewers. It is not enough to turn down the volume or close our eyes for a moment. Sometimes, the set needs to be turned off.
			C)	I cannot state strongly enough that the violent acts shown on television have left, and continue to leave, its mark on viewers. It is not enough to turn down the volume or close our eyes for a moment. Sometimes, the set needs to be turned off.