Learn on PengiElements of Language, 5th CourseChapter 5: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

Lesson 3: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A: Singular, Plural, and Compound Antecedents

In this Grade 8 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 5th Course, students learn how pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, gender, and person. The lesson covers singular and plural pronoun agreement, masculine, feminine, and neuter gender pronouns, first through third person pronouns, and the rules for compound antecedents joined by and, or, or nor. Practice exercises give students guided opportunities to identify antecedents and select the correct agreeing pronoun in context.

Section 1

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Number

Definition

Singular pronouns refer to singular antecedents. Plural pronouns refer to plural antecedents.

Explanation

Think of it like matching puzzle pieces! A singular antecedent (one person or thing) needs a singular pronoun. A plural antecedent (more than one) needs a plural pronoun. This rule, called agreement in number, helps keep your sentences clear and logical so your reader knows exactly who or what you're talking about.

Examples

  • SINGULAR: Grandma said that she baked cookies for the family. [The singular pronoun she refers to the singular noun Grandma.]
  • PLURAL: The team members met after school to complete their fundraiser poster. [The plural pronoun their refers to the plural antecedent team members.]

Section 2

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Gender

Definition

Some singular pronouns indicate gender.

Explanation

When a pronoun replaces a singular noun, it sometimes needs to match its gender. Use masculine pronouns (he, his) for males, feminine pronouns (she, her) for females, and neuter pronouns (it, its) for things, places, or ideas. Remember, plural pronouns like 'they' and 'their' don't have a gender!

Examples

  • Mr. Harrison graded his students' essays over the weekend. [The masculine pronoun his agrees with its masculine antecedent, Mr. Harrison.]
  • The motorcycle needs a tune-up before I can get it back on the road. [The neuter pronoun it agrees with its neuter antecedent, motorcycle.]

Section 3

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Person

Definition

Person indicates whether a pronoun refers to the one speaking (first person), the one spoken to (second person), or the one spoken about (third person).

Explanation

Agreement in person means keeping a consistent point of view. If you start a sentence talking about yourself (first person), don't suddenly switch to talking to the reader (second person). This ensures your writing is smooth and easy to follow, preventing any confusion for your audience.

Examples

  • My sister and I mailed our thank-you cards. [first person]
  • Chloe, you need to bring your library book back tomorrow. [second person]
  • The dogs played with their new toys in the yard. [third person]

Section 4

Pronoun Agreement with Compound Antecedents

Definition

Use a plural pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined by and. Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor.

Explanation

The conjunction used to connect nouns changes the pronoun you need! 'And' combines subjects, making them plural, so the pronoun must also be plural. However, 'or' and 'nor' separate subjects, asking you to consider them one at a time, so the pronoun should be singular.

Examples

  • Antecedents Joined by *and*: Leo, Maria, and Sophia brought their instruments to band practice. [Because the antecedents are joined by and, they require a plural pronoun.]
  • Antecedents Joined by or or *nor*: Neither James nor his brother finished his chores. [Because the singular antecedents are joined by nor, they require a singular pronoun.]

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Chapter 5: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Subject-Verb Agreement: Basic Rules, Intervening Phrases, and Indefinite Pronouns

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Subject-Verb Agreement: Collective Nouns, Expressions of Amount, and Subjects Following Verbs

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  3. Lesson 3Current

    Lesson 3: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A: Singular, Plural, and Compound Antecedents

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement B: Indefinite Pronouns, Relative Pronouns

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Section 1

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Number

Definition

Singular pronouns refer to singular antecedents. Plural pronouns refer to plural antecedents.

Explanation

Think of it like matching puzzle pieces! A singular antecedent (one person or thing) needs a singular pronoun. A plural antecedent (more than one) needs a plural pronoun. This rule, called agreement in number, helps keep your sentences clear and logical so your reader knows exactly who or what you're talking about.

Examples

  • SINGULAR: Grandma said that she baked cookies for the family. [The singular pronoun she refers to the singular noun Grandma.]
  • PLURAL: The team members met after school to complete their fundraiser poster. [The plural pronoun their refers to the plural antecedent team members.]

Section 2

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Gender

Definition

Some singular pronouns indicate gender.

Explanation

When a pronoun replaces a singular noun, it sometimes needs to match its gender. Use masculine pronouns (he, his) for males, feminine pronouns (she, her) for females, and neuter pronouns (it, its) for things, places, or ideas. Remember, plural pronouns like 'they' and 'their' don't have a gender!

Examples

  • Mr. Harrison graded his students' essays over the weekend. [The masculine pronoun his agrees with its masculine antecedent, Mr. Harrison.]
  • The motorcycle needs a tune-up before I can get it back on the road. [The neuter pronoun it agrees with its neuter antecedent, motorcycle.]

Section 3

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement in Person

Definition

Person indicates whether a pronoun refers to the one speaking (first person), the one spoken to (second person), or the one spoken about (third person).

Explanation

Agreement in person means keeping a consistent point of view. If you start a sentence talking about yourself (first person), don't suddenly switch to talking to the reader (second person). This ensures your writing is smooth and easy to follow, preventing any confusion for your audience.

Examples

  • My sister and I mailed our thank-you cards. [first person]
  • Chloe, you need to bring your library book back tomorrow. [second person]
  • The dogs played with their new toys in the yard. [third person]

Section 4

Pronoun Agreement with Compound Antecedents

Definition

Use a plural pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined by and. Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor.

Explanation

The conjunction used to connect nouns changes the pronoun you need! 'And' combines subjects, making them plural, so the pronoun must also be plural. However, 'or' and 'nor' separate subjects, asking you to consider them one at a time, so the pronoun should be singular.

Examples

  • Antecedents Joined by *and*: Leo, Maria, and Sophia brought their instruments to band practice. [Because the antecedents are joined by and, they require a plural pronoun.]
  • Antecedents Joined by or or *nor*: Neither James nor his brother finished his chores. [Because the singular antecedents are joined by nor, they require a singular pronoun.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 5: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Subject-Verb Agreement: Basic Rules, Intervening Phrases, and Indefinite Pronouns

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Subject-Verb Agreement: Collective Nouns, Expressions of Amount, and Subjects Following Verbs

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  3. Lesson 3Current

    Lesson 3: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A: Singular, Plural, and Compound Antecedents

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement B: Indefinite Pronouns, Relative Pronouns

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