MAP 8th Grade Language Usage
An engaging course focused on mastering grammar, usage, mechanics, and effective communication for 8th grade students.
Advanced Topics
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Match Your Pronouns to Their Partners
Pronouns are words like he, she, they, and it that stand in for nouns. The word a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. These two must agree in number and gender.
The Rules
- Singular antecedent = singular pronoun.
- Plural antecedent = plural pronoun.
Watch Out for Tricky Cases
- Everyone should bring his or her book. (Not: their book)
- The students finished their homework.
Why It Matters
Clear pronoun-antecedent agreement prevents confusion and helps your writing flow smoothly.
Examples
Each student needs his or her pencil.
All the players forgot their jerseys.
In a Nutshell
Pronouns and their antecedents need to match in number and gender.