English Grammar: Agreement of Pronouns

Agreement — Introduction

You have already learned that a pronoun usually refers to a noun or pronoun which precedes it in the sentence. The word to which the pronoun refers is called its antecedent. The word antecedent comes from two Latin words which mean "going before". The antecedent of a pronoun is the word which "goes before" the pronoun. It is the word to which the pronoun refers.

In the sentence, Robert lost his fishing tackle, the pronoun his refers to Robert. The word Robert precedes the pronoun his or "goes before" it. Robert is the antecedent of his. It is the word to which the pronoun his refers.

Antecedents of Pronouns

Margaret attended her class reunion. (Margaret — antecedent of her)

Every day brings its duties. (day — antecedent of its)

The men brought their golf clubs. (men — antecedent of their)

Only a few brought their equipment. (few — antecedent of their)

The professor himself did not know the answer. (professor — antecedent of himself)