Unlocking the Secret of Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement- Identifying Correct Sentences in ‘Which of the Following…’

Which of the following sentences has correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?

In the English language, pronoun-antecedent agreement is a fundamental grammatical rule that ensures clarity and coherence in written and spoken communication. This rule requires that pronouns refer back to specific antecedents, ensuring that the relationship between the pronoun and its antecedent is clear and logical. This article aims to examine various sentences and determine which one demonstrates correct pronoun-antecedent agreement.

One of the most common errors in pronoun-antecedent agreement occurs when pronouns do not match the gender or number of their antecedents. For instance, consider the following sentence:

Incorrect: “John and Mary are going to the store. They both need to buy a new shirt.”

In this sentence, the pronoun “they” is used to refer to both John and Mary, but “they” is singular, while “John and Mary” is plural. To correct this error, the pronoun should match the number of the antecedent:

Correct: “John and Mary are going to the store. They both need to buy a new shirt.”

Another common error is the use of gender-specific pronouns that do not agree with their antecedents. For example:

Incorrect: “The student who won the award is very intelligent. She has always worked hard.”

In this sentence, the pronoun “she” is used to refer to “The student,” but “The student” could be either male or female. To correct this error, the pronoun should be gender-neutral:

Correct: “The student who won the award is very intelligent. They have always worked hard.”

It is also important to ensure that pronouns agree with their antecedents in terms of person and number. Consider the following sentence:

Incorrect: “If you go to the party, I will bring a gift. You should bring one too.”

In this sentence, the pronoun “you” is used to refer to the second person, but the first person “I” is the subject of the second clause. To correct this error, the pronoun should match the person of the antecedent:

Correct: “If you go to the party, I will bring a gift. You should bring one too.”

In conclusion, correct pronoun-antecedent agreement is essential for clear and effective communication. By following the rules of pronoun-antecedent agreement, writers and speakers can avoid common errors and ensure that their sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand. In the sentences provided, the correct pronoun-antecedent agreement is demonstrated in the sentence:

Correct: “John and Mary are going to the store. They both need to buy a new shirt.”

By paying attention to the relationship between pronouns and their antecedents, one can enhance the clarity and accuracy of their language use.