The document provides an overview of pronoun reference agreement in English, explaining key concepts such as pronouns, antecedents, and their rules for agreement in number and gender. It includes examples to illustrate common mistakes and corrections, emphasizing the importance of clear antecedent references. The document also distinguishes between singular and plural indefinite pronouns and their appropriate usage.

1. Pronoun
Refence
Agreement
English
Practicing
Teacher
By
Miss Carmelle Dawn
Laurente Vasay

2. What is a Pronoun?
A pronoun is a
word that replaces a
noun.

3. My meat lover friends will
not attend the picnic
because they don’t like to
eat tofu hotdogs and black
bean burgers.

4. What is an Antecedent?
Antecedent is a word
that the pronoun
replaces.

5. Derek threw his I pad
on the floor.
“his” renames “Derek”

6. What is Agreement?
The act of agreeing;
harmony of opinion,
action, or character

7. What is Pronoun
Antecedent Agreement?
 Pronoun antecedent
agreement refers to the
placement of nouns with
pronouns.

8. Godofredo invited Lb to
attend the birthday party.
He invited her to be the
lady of ceremony of the
party.

9. Rules in Pronoun
Reference
Agreement

10. 1. A pronoun must clearly
refer to the word it stands
for. In other words, every
pronoun must have a
clear antecedent.

11. James said that he was
leaving.

12. Skiing and sailing are my two
favorite hobbies, but it doesn’t
interest my sister.

13. Skiing and sailing are my
two favorite hobbies, but
skiing doesn’t interest my
sister.
To avoid this mistake, simply
replace the pronoun with a
noun.

14. 2. A pronoun must always
agree in number with
what it refers back to (or
its reference).

15. Jonathan is going to bring
his I pad to the mall. He
is going to return it to the
Istore.

16. Indefinite pronouns
These are used to refer to
persons or things often
without specifying which
ones.

17. *Singular Indefinite Pronouns are
always singular even if they may sound
plural.
each, either, neither, anybody,
anyone, anything, everybody,
everyone, everything, nobody, no
one, nothing, somebody, someone,
something

18. Everyone must show his
or her ID card to the
security guard before
entering the school.

19. Neither Trishia nor Paul
studied their spelling
words.
Neither Trishia nor Paul
studied his spelling
words.

20. Everything in this large closet
has lost its value over the years.
(Its is a singular pronoun that
agrees in number with
everything, the singular
antecedent.)
Everything in this large closet
has lost it value over the years.

21. *Plural indefinite pronouns,
including both, few, many, and several,
will serve as plural antecedents.
Both of the singers have their
fans. (Both is the plural
antecedent, and their is the
plural pronoun.)

22. Several of the club officials
raised their hands with questions.
(Several is the plural antecedent,
and their is the plural pronoun.)
Several of the club officials
raised their hands with
questions.

23. Many students cast its
votes today.
Many students cast
their votes today.

24. 3. A pronoun
must agree in
gender.

25. Jaemin is going to sing his
favorite song in the
program. (Obviously his
not her)

26. No American citizen should
lose his or her right to vote.
No Filipino citizen should
lose their right to vote.

27. Jim forgot his
notebook.

28. When Stephanie told Sheila
about the joke, she began to
laugh.
When Stephanie told
Sheila about the joke,
Sheila began to laugh.

30. Anyone can be
successful in
school if
they make
the right
choices.
Anyone can be
successful in
school if
they make
the right
choices.
Revision:
 Anyone can be
successful in school
if he or she makes
the right choices.
Or
 Students can be
successful in school
if they make the
right choices.
Revision:
 Anyone can be
successful in school
if he or she makes
the right choices.
Or
 Students can be
successful in school
if they make the
right choices.
IncorrectIncorrect

31. When students do not
understand what they read,
they should note their
questions and find answers.
When students do not
understand what they read,
they should note their
questions and find answers.
CorrectCorrect

32. Students should realize that
education supports your long
term goals.
Students should realize that
education supports your long
term goals.
The pronoun “your”does
not refer to students.
Revision:
 Students should realize
that education supports
their long term goals.
The pronoun “your”does
not refer to students.
Revision:
 Students should realize
that education supports
their long term goals.
IncorrectIncorrect

33. Each of us must take responsibility for the
quality of their own life.
Each of us must take responsibility for the
quality of their own life.
Incorrect:
 Each is singular.
Revision:
 Each of us must take responsibility
for the quality of his or her life.
Or…
 Individuals must take responsibility
for the quality of their own lives.
Incorrect:
 Each is singular.
Revision:
 Each of us must take responsibility
for the quality of his or her life.
Or…
 Individuals must take responsibility
for the quality of their own lives.
IncorrectIncorrect

34. The most important thing a student
can do is to organize your time.
The most important thing a student
can do is to organize your time.
Incorrect:
 Students is plural.
Revision:
 The most important
thing that students
can do is to organize
their time.
Incorrect:
 Students is plural.
Revision:
 The most important
thing that students
can do is to organize
their time.
IncorrectIncorrect

35. Christian dropped the
heavy camera on his foot
and broke it.
Christian dropped the
heavy camera on his foot
and broke it.
Incorrect:
 Did the camera break
or did his foot?
Revision:
 The camera broke
when Christian
dropped it on his foot.
Incorrect:
 Did the camera break
or did his foot?
Revision:
 The camera broke
when Christian
dropped it on his foot.
IncorrectIncorrect

36. Thank You
Generosity