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Pronoun Antecedent Agreement

With Indefinite Pronoun Antecedents

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Rule:

  • Use a singular personal pronoun when the antecedent is a singular indefinite pronoun.
  • EX: Anybody, Anyone, Anything, Each, Either, Everybody, Everyone, One, Other, Much, etc.
  • Use a plural personal pronoun when the antecedent is a plural indefinite pronoun.
  • EX: Several, both, few, many
  • Some indefinite pronouns can either be singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence.
  • EX: All, any, enough, more, most, none, some

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Examples:

Singular: Each of the girls has on a pink bow.

*If the antecedent is not gender specific, it is acceptable to use he or she, him or her, or his or hers.

Everybody can wear his or her favorite t-shirt tomorrow.

Plural: Both of the swimmers forgot their swim caps.

Singular or Plural: All the students will bring their pencils.

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