i

a. Use singular pronouns to refer to the singular indefinite pronouns: each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody.

Each of the girls came armed with their own ideas. (incorrect)

Each of the girls came armed with her own ideas. (correct)

b. Use Plural pronouns to refer to the plural indefinite pronouns: both, few, several, many.

A few filled their nets with fish.

c. The indefinite pronouns some, any, none, all, most may be referred to by singular or plural pronouns, depending on the sense of the sentence.

Most of the trees have lost their leaves. (plural)

Most of the castle retains its splendor. (singular)

d. Pronouns that refer to compound antecedents joined by and are usually plural.

Noah and Kenneth visited their parents during the holidays.

e. Pronouns that refer to compound antecedents joined by or or nor usually agree with the nearer antecedent.

Neither Mark nor his brothers have received their passports.

Neither Mark nor Tom has received his passport.

f. A relative pronoun (who, which, that) agrees with its antecedent in number and so determines number in its own clause

Kayla is the girl who is willing to lend her own books. (The relative pronoun who is singular because it refers to girl; therefore, the singular forms is and her are used to agree with who.)

Those are the girls who are willing to lend their own books. (The relative pronoun who is plural because it refers to girls; therefore, the plural forms are and their are used to agree with who.)

Exception: Kayla is one of those girls who enjoy baking cookies. (The relative pronoun who takes its number from the object of the preposition girls, not the word one. Girls is plural; therefore, the plural form enjoy is used to agree with who. )

a. Antecedents of masculine gender (male sex) are referred to by he, him, his.

Mr. Wilson put some papers into his briefcase.

b. Antecedents of feminine gender (female sex) are referred to by she, her, hers.

The bride tossed her bouquet toward the unmarried girls.

c. Antecedents of neuter gender (no sex) are referred to by it, its.

The tree lost all its leaves.

d. Antecedents of common gender (sex not known) are referred to by he, him, his. It is understood that the masculine pronouns include both male and female.

Each speaker maintained his poise. (correct)

Each speaker maintained their poise. (incorrect)

Each speaker maintained his or her poise. (awkward)

e. Antecedents that are names of animals are generally referred to by neuter pronouns.

The tiger paced back and forth in its cage.

If writers wish to add personality to these references, they often use masculine pronouns.

The tiger performed really well during his time in the center ring.

Of course, when a feminine role is suggested, feminine pronouns are used.

A tigress feeds her cubs until they can find their own food.

Exercise A (1) Underline the antecedents. (2) In each blank, write a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent in number.

1. Each of the men knew the danger of____own mission.

2. Neither of the ladies kept______money in a billfold.

his

her

Exercise B Insert in each blank a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent in number. (Rule 1f)

1. This is the book that had ____ binding replaced.

2. My grandfather is the man who sold ____coin collection.

its

his

Exercise C In each blank, write a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent in gender.

1. Zachary daydreamed about distant lands as____ used chopsticks to eat the rice.

2. The plantation regained much of ____beauty in the spring.

he

its

Exercise D Cross out each pronoun that does not agree with its antecedent and write the

correct pronoun above it. If a sentence is correct, write C to the left of the number.

1. Many of the early schoolmasters taught Latin to his pupils.

2. Either of the gardeners can tell you about his methods of fertilization.

their

C