Pronoun Antecedents

Common Core Language Standard 1

One of the problems that a developing writer faces when learning to write longer and
more complicated sentences is the misuse of pronoun antecedents. Pronouns can be wonderful
parts of speech in the hands of a skillful writer. Pronouns can produce variety and reduce
repetitiveness, but they shouldn’t be used when they confuse the reader. Learning how to avoid
the common pronoun antecedent problems is helpful. Learning how to write clear and specific
pronoun antecedent relationships is essential.
Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on pronoun antecedents. Remember that a
pronoun takes the place of a noun and identifies its antecedent. An antecedent is the noun or
pronoun that the pronoun refers to or re-names.

A pronoun must clearly and specifically refer to just one noun or pronoun (the
antecedent). Generally, the pronoun refers to the noun or pronoun immediately before the
pronoun.

To avoid pronoun antecedent problems:

1. Keep pronouns close to their references or use synonyms.

2. Don’t have a pronoun refer to the object of a prepositional phrase. Example: The box of
pencils was found in their place.
Revision: The box of pencils was found in its place.

3. Don’t have a pronoun refer to a possessive antecedent. Example: Are theirs the best
cookies? They certainly are.
Revision: Are their cookies the best? They certainly are.
 michael_britt
Admin

02-12-2019 10:34 AM

When a pronoun is used to refer to a noun, the noun is called an antecedent. Pronouns agree
with antecedents when both are singular or plural.

Singular: The student turned in her paper.

Student, a singular antecedent, agrees with her, a singular pronoun.

Plural: The students turned in their papers.

Students, a plural antecedent, agrees with their, a plural pronoun.

To match antecedents to nouns, first determine which antecedent a pronoun refers to. Then
make sure both pronoun and antecedent are singular or plural. In the case of collective nouns
such as jury, class, or audience, consider the noun singular as long as the group acts as a unit.

Because today’s usage prefers gender-agnostic writing, good writers avoid using he when the
antecedent could be either male or female. Likewise, using he/she as a singular pronoun is
frowned upon because it’s a clunky construction. Sentences with faulty pronoun-antecedent
agreement are best corrected by changing a singular antecedent to a plural. This means that in
some cases, sentences work better when they are rewritten to avoid agreement problems.

Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement: Masculine and Feminine Antecedents

Thursday, September 16, 2010

If one of the antecedents is masculine and one is feminine, the pronouns should also be
masculine and feminine.
Will either Sandra or Rob return her or his extra laptop battery?