This document provides an overview of pronoun agreement. It discusses how pronouns must agree in number (singular or plural) with their antecedents. Some key points covered include: pronouns like "they" are plural while pronouns like "it" are singular; compound subjects joined by "and" are usually plural; indefinite pronouns like "everyone" are always singular; and exceptions involving phrases, conjunctions, and collective nouns. The document concludes with a quick quiz to test the reader's understanding of pronoun agreement rules.

1. chomp!
chomp!
This presentation is
brought to you by
Grammar Bytes!,
©2013 by Robin L.
Simmons.
This presentation is
brought to you by
Grammar Bytes!,
©2013 by Robin L.
Simmons.

2. Pronoun AgreementPronoun AgreementPronoun AgreementPronoun Agreement
Everyone
should know
their
pronouns?
Everyone
should know
their
pronouns?
Or his or her
pronouns?
Or his or her
pronouns?

3. This presentation
covers maintaining
agreement
between a pronoun
and its
antecedent.
This presentation
covers maintaining
agreement
between a pronoun
and its
antecedent.

4. A pronoun agreement itemA pronoun agreement item
on an objective test mighton an objective test might
look like thislook like this .. .. ..

5. Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item
Spendthrifts are quickly parted from theirSpendthrifts are quickly parted from their
money. So a person who wants to start savingmoney. So a person who wants to start saving
should not spend all of their time at the mall.should not spend all of their time at the mall.
A.A.his or herhis or her
B.B.someonesomeone
C.C.hishis
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Spendthrifts are quickly parted fromSpendthrifts are quickly parted from theirtheir
AA
money. Somoney. So a persona person who wants to start savingwho wants to start saving
BB
should not spend all ofshould not spend all of theirtheir time at the mall.time at the mall.
CC
A.A.his or herhis or her
B.B.someonesomeone
C.C.hishis
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Spendthrifts are quickly parted fromSpendthrifts are quickly parted from theirtheir
AA
money. Somoney. So a persona person who wants to start savingwho wants to start saving
BB
should not spend all ofshould not spend all of hishis time at the mall.time at the mall.
CC
A.A.his or herhis or her
B.B.someonesomeone
C.C.hishis
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Is the first their,
a person, or the
second their a
problem?
Is the first their,
a person, or the
second their a
problem?
The second their
does not agree with
a person, an error
that choice C fixes.
The second their
does not agree with
a person, an error
that choice C fixes.

6. Agreement in a NutshellAgreement in a NutshellAgreement in a NutshellAgreement in a Nutshell
TheThe kangarookangaroo carriescarries
itsits joey in a pouch.joey in a pouch.
TheThe kangarooskangaroos carrycarry
theirtheir joeys injoeys in
pouches.pouches.
kangarookangaroo = singular antecedent= singular antecedent
itsits = singular pronoun= singular pronoun
kangarooskangaroos = plural antecedent= plural antecedent
theirtheir = plural pronoun= plural pronoun

7. Know your pronouns.Know your pronouns.Know your pronouns.Know your pronouns.
PluralPlural
 theythey
 themthem
 their, theirstheir, theirs
 themselvesthemselves
Singular!Singular!
SingularSingular
 he, she, ithe, she, it
 him, her, ithim, her, it
 his, her, hers,his, her, hers,
itsits
 himself,himself,
herself, itselfherself, itself
Plural!Plural!

8. Two [or more] singular thingsTwo [or more] singular things
joined byjoined by andand make amake a pluralplural
antecedent.antecedent.
Two [or more] singular thingsTwo [or more] singular things
joined byjoined by andand make amake a pluralplural
antecedent.antecedent.
The new puppyThe new puppy andand kitten have destroyedkitten have destroyed
theirtheir owner’s sofa.owner’s sofa.

9. EachEach new puppynew puppy andand kitten destroykitten destroyss itsits
owner’s sofa.owner’s sofa.
WhenWhen eacheach oror everyevery precedes twoprecedes two
[or more] singular things joined by[or more] singular things joined by
andand, you have a, you have a singularsingular
antecedent.antecedent.
WhenWhen eacheach oror everyevery precedes twoprecedes two
[or more] singular things joined by[or more] singular things joined by
andand, you have a, you have a singularsingular
antecedent.antecedent.
EveryEvery new puppynew puppy andand kitten destroykitten destroyss itsits
owner’s sofa.owner’s sofa.

10. In this situation, no matterIn this situation, no matter how manyhow many
singular nouns you join withsingular nouns you join with andand, the, the
antecedent isantecedent is stillstill singular.singular.
In this situation, no matterIn this situation, no matter how manyhow many
singular nouns you join withsingular nouns you join with andand, the, the
antecedent isantecedent is stillstill singular.singular.
EachEach new puppy, kitten, rabbit, tarantula,new puppy, kitten, rabbit, tarantula,
python, parrot, turtle,python, parrot, turtle, andand ferret destroyferret destroyss itsits
owner’s sofa.owner’s sofa.

11. Use caution with these threeUse caution with these three
conjunctions:conjunctions: either … oreither … or,,
neither … norneither … nor , and, and not only …not only …
but alsobut also..
Use caution with these threeUse caution with these three
conjunctions:conjunctions: either … oreither … or,,
neither … norneither … nor , and, and not only …not only …
but alsobut also..
Not only the Smiths but also Louise fixedNot only the Smiths but also Louise fixed
their famous squid eyeball stew for thetheir famous squid eyeball stew for the
picnic.picnic.
You’ll have two
antecedents—the
Smiths and Louise—
but only the closer one
counts!
You’ll have two
antecedents—the
Smiths and Louise—
but only the closer one
counts!
Not only the Smiths but also Louise fixedNot only the Smiths but also Louise fixed
herher famous squid eyeball stew for thefamous squid eyeball stew for the
picnic.picnic.
Not only Louise but also theNot only Louise but also the SmithsSmiths
fixedfixed theirtheir famous squid eyeball stewfamous squid eyeball stew
for the picnic.for the picnic.
If you want to use their,
you will need to flip the
Smiths and Louise so
that the Smiths are
closer to the pronoun.
If you want to use their,
you will need to flip the
Smiths and Louise so
that the Smiths are
closer to the pronoun.

12. TheseThese indefinite pronounsindefinite pronouns areare
alwaysalways singularsingular [even when they[even when they
seemseem plural].plural].
TheseThese indefinite pronounsindefinite pronouns areare
alwaysalways singularsingular [even when they[even when they
seemseem plural].plural].
 Each, either, neitherEach, either, neither
 Anyone, anybody, anythingAnyone, anybody, anything
 Everyone, everybody, everythingEveryone, everybody, everything
 No one, nobody, nothingNo one, nobody, nothing
 Someone, somebody, somethingSomeone, somebody, something

13. Everyone on Earth =
more than one person
—billions of people, in
fact.
The word everyone,
however, is still
singular.
Everyone on Earth =
more than one person
—billions of people, in
fact.
The word everyone,
however, is still
singular.

14. Neither of my two brothers show muchNeither of my two brothers show much
sense when they date women.sense when they date women.
Beware interrupting phrases.Beware interrupting phrases.Beware interrupting phrases.Beware interrupting phrases.
This sentence
might sound
right, but it is
completely
wrong!
This sentence
might sound
right, but it is
completely
wrong!
Of my two
brothers =
prepositional phrase;
neither = singular
antecedent.
Of my two
brothers =
prepositional phrase;
neither = singular
antecedent.

15. Wow,
what a
babe!
Wow,
what a
babe!
Wow, what
a fat
wallet!
Wow, what
a fat
wallet!
Wow,
what a
loser!
Wow,
what a
loser!

16. CompanyCompany,, organizationorganization,,
departmentdepartment, and, and school namesschool names
areare singularsingular..
CompanyCompany,, organizationorganization,,
departmentdepartment, and, and school namesschool names
areare singularsingular..
One urban legend is that Tito’s Taco PalaceOne urban legend is that Tito’s Taco Palace
makes their burritos with kangaroo meat.makes their burritos with kangaroo meat.
Did you
know
that?
Did you
know
that?
We did
not!
We did
not!
One urban legend is that Tito’s Taco PalaceOne urban legend is that Tito’s Taco Palace
makesmakes itsits burritos with kangaroo meat.burritos with kangaroo meat.

17. Quick TestQuick TestQuick TestQuick Test
Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, chooseIn the items that follow, choose
the option that corrects an error in thethe option that corrects an error in the
underlined portion(s). If no error exists, chooseunderlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose
“No change is necessary.”“No change is necessary.”
Show me
what you
know.
Show me
what you
know.

18. Item 1Item 1Item 1Item 1
Not only my brothers but also Mom loves toNot only my brothers but also Mom loves to
drench their omelets in ketchup.drench their omelets in ketchup.
A.A.hishis
B.B.herher
C.C.his and herhis and her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Not only my brothers but also Mom loves toNot only my brothers but also Mom loves to
drenchdrench theirtheir omelets in ketchup.omelets in ketchup.
A.A.hishis
B.B.herher
C.C.his and herhis and her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Not only my brothers but also Mom loves toNot only my brothers but also Mom loves to
drenchdrench theirtheir omelets in ketchup.omelets in ketchup.
A.A.hishis
B.B.herher
C.C.his and herhis and her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

19. Item 2Item 2Item 2Item 2
The students and their professor sweated in theThe students and their professor sweated in the
hot classroom. Each one of them wondered whyhot classroom. Each one of them wondered why
they had decided to commit to summer school.they had decided to commit to summer school.
A.A.his or herhis or her
B.B.EveryEvery
C.C.sheshe
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
The students andThe students and theirtheir professor sweated in theprofessor sweated in the
AA
hot classroom.hot classroom. EachEach one of them wondered whyone of them wondered why
BB
theythey had decided to commit to summer school.had decided to commit to summer school.
CC
A.A.his or herhis or her
B.B.EveryEvery
C.C.sheshe
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
The students andThe students and theirtheir professor sweated in theprofessor sweated in the
AA
hot classroom.hot classroom. EachEach one of them wondered whyone of them wondered why
BB
sheshe had decided to commit to summer school.had decided to commit to summer school.
CC
A.A.his or herhis or her
B.B.EveryEvery
C.C.sheshe
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

20. Item 3Item 3Item 3Item 3
Robert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the deadRobert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the dead
worm on the dissection tray. They used tweezersworm on the dissection tray. They used tweezers
to pick through innards looking for the heart.to pick through innards looking for the heart.
A.A.HeHe
B.B.SheShe
C.C.He or sheHe or she
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Robert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the deadRobert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the dead
worm on the dissection tray.worm on the dissection tray. TheyThey used tweezersused tweezers
to pick through innards looking for the heart.to pick through innards looking for the heart.
A.A.HeHe
B.B.SheShe
C.C.He or sheHe or she
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Robert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the deadRobert and Sue Ellen concentrated on the dead
worm on the dissection tray.worm on the dissection tray. TheyThey used tweezersused tweezers
to pick through innards looking for the heart.to pick through innards looking for the heart.
A.A.HeHe
B.B.SheShe
C.C.He or sheHe or she
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

21. Item 4Item 4Item 4Item 4
The students have decided to eat at Tito’s TacoThe students have decided to eat at Tito’s Taco
Palace, where they can order the special. TheirPalace, where they can order the special. Their
discount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and itsdiscount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and its
cheap prices will help wallets!cheap prices will help wallets!
A.A.he or shehe or she
B.B.ItsIts
C.C.theirtheir
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
The students have decided to eat at Tito’s TacoThe students have decided to eat at Tito’s Taco
Palace, wherePalace, where theythey can order the special.can order the special. TheirTheir
AA BB
discount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, anddiscount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and itsits
CC
cheap prices will help wallets!cheap prices will help wallets!
A.A.he or shehe or she
B.B.ItsIts
C.C.theirtheir
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
The students have decided to eat at Tito’s TacoThe students have decided to eat at Tito’s Taco
Palace, wherePalace, where theythey can order the special.can order the special. ItsIts
AA BB
discount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, anddiscount burrito and soda will satisfy hunger, and itsits
CC
cheap prices will help wallets!cheap prices will help wallets!
A.A.he or shehe or she
B.B.ItsIts
C.C.theirtheir
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

22. Item 5Item 5Item 5Item 5
Either of these thick books by respected authorsEither of these thick books by respected authors
will have the answer to your research question inwill have the answer to your research question in
their many pages.their many pages.
A.A.hishis
B.B.his or herhis or her
C.C.itsits
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Either of these thick books by respected authorsEither of these thick books by respected authors
will have the answer to your research question inwill have the answer to your research question in
theirtheir many pages.many pages.
A.A.hishis
B.B.his or herhis or her
C.C.itsits
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Either of these thick books by respected authorsEither of these thick books by respected authors
will have the answer to your research question inwill have the answer to your research question in
theirtheir many pages.many pages.
A.A.hishis
B.B.his or herhis or her
C.C.itsits
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

23. Item 6Item 6Item 6Item 6
If everyone stopped to smell the roses, they mightIf everyone stopped to smell the roses, they might
get stung by bees and have their allergies kick in toget stung by bees and have their allergies kick in to
overdrive!overdrive!
A.A.peoplepeople
B.B.he or shehe or she
C.C.his or herhis or her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
IfIf everyoneeveryone stopped to smell the roses,stopped to smell the roses, theythey mightmight
AA BB
get stung by bees and haveget stung by bees and have theirtheir allergies kick in toallergies kick in to
CC
overdrive!overdrive!
A.A.peoplepeople
B.B.he or shehe or she
C.C.his or herhis or her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
IfIf peoplepeople stopped to smell the roses,stopped to smell the roses, theythey mightmight
AA BB
get stung by bees and haveget stung by bees and have theirtheir allergies kick in toallergies kick in to
CC
overdrive!overdrive!
A.A.peoplepeople
B.B.he or shehe or she
C.C.his or herhis or her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

24. Item 7Item 7Item 7Item 7
Weaver Hill High has strange school colors. TheirWeaver Hill High has strange school colors. Their
hot pink and bright yellow combination reallyhot pink and bright yellow combination really
stands out on the field.stands out on the field.
A.A.ItsIts
B.B.HisHis
C.C.His and herHis and her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Weaver Hill High has strange school colors.Weaver Hill High has strange school colors. TheirTheir
hot pink and bright yellow combination reallyhot pink and bright yellow combination really
stands out on the field.stands out on the field.
A.A.ItsIts
B.B.HisHis
C.C.His and herHis and her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Weaver Hill High has strange school colors.Weaver Hill High has strange school colors. TheirTheir
hot pink and bright yellow combination reallyhot pink and bright yellow combination really
stands out on the field.stands out on the field.
A.A.ItsIts
B.B.HisHis
C.C.His and herHis and her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

25. Item 8Item 8Item 8Item 8
Sam is starving, and his buddies have just orderedSam is starving, and his buddies have just ordered
their “upsized” meals. Despite Sam’s drooling,their “upsized” meals. Despite Sam’s drooling,
neither of them will part with their French fries.neither of them will part with their French fries.
A.A.hishis
B.B.himhim
C.C.hishis
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Sam is starving, and his buddies have just orderedSam is starving, and his buddies have just ordered
theirtheir “upsized” meals. Despite Sam’s drooling,“upsized” meals. Despite Sam’s drooling,
AA
neither ofneither of themthem will part withwill part with theirtheir French fries.French fries.
BB CC
A.A.hishis
B.B.himhim
C.C.hishis
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Sam is starving, and his buddies have just orderedSam is starving, and his buddies have just ordered
theirtheir “upsized” meals. Despite Sam’s drooling,“upsized” meals. Despite Sam’s drooling,
AA
neither ofneither of themthem will part withwill part with hishis French fries.French fries.
BB CC
A.A.hishis
B.B.himhim
C.C.hishis
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

26. Item 9Item 9Item 9Item 9
Clyde refuses to return to the weight roomClyde refuses to return to the weight room
because its staff always pokes fun of his skinnybecause its staff always pokes fun of his skinny
arms and legs.arms and legs.
A.A.theirtheir
B.B.hishis
C.C.herher
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Clyde refuses to return to the weight roomClyde refuses to return to the weight room
becausebecause itsits staff always pokes fun of his skinnystaff always pokes fun of his skinny
arms and legs.arms and legs.
A.A.theirtheir
B.B.hishis
C.C.herher
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Clyde refuses to return to the weight roomClyde refuses to return to the weight room
becausebecause itsits staff always pokes fun of his skinnystaff always pokes fun of his skinny
arms and legs.arms and legs.
A.A.theirtheir
B.B.hishis
C.C.herher
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

27. Item 10Item 10Item 10Item 10
Everyone should memorize a ShakespeareEveryone should memorize a Shakespeare
monologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra creditmonologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra credit
points will help them improve their averages atpoints will help them improve their averages at
the end of the semester.the end of the semester.
A.A.The studentsThe students
B.B.him or herhim or her
C.C.his or herhis or her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
EveryoneEveryone should memorize a Shakespeareshould memorize a Shakespeare
AA
monologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra creditmonologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra credit
points will helppoints will help themthem improveimprove theirtheir averages ataverages at
BB CC
the end of the semester.the end of the semester.
A.A.The studentsThe students
B.B.him or herhim or her
C.C.his or herhis or her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
The studentsThe students should memorize a Shakespeareshould memorize a Shakespeare
AA
monologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra creditmonologue for Mrs. Smith because the extra credit
points will helppoints will help themthem improveimprove theirtheir averages ataverages at
BB CC
the end of the semester.the end of the semester.
A.A.The studentsThe students
B.B.him or herhim or her
C.C.his or herhis or her
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

28. chomp!
chomp!
Grammar Bytes!
provides additional
handouts and exercises
on pronoun
agreement. Go to
chompchomp.com!
Grammar Bytes!
provides additional
handouts and exercises
on pronoun
agreement. Go to
chompchomp.com!

29. The End.The End.