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Pronoun Agreement
The rule governing pronoun agreement is a simple one:
if the noun is plural, the pronoun that replaces it should be plural.
If the noun is singular, the pronoun that replaces it should be
singular. In the following sentences, the nouns and pronouns are
italicized.
• The boys had planned
to go skinny dipping, but their courage failed
them.
• Martina didn’t have
a good time at her party.
For a detailed explanation of the thorny pronoun issues
surrounding gender, see Gendered
Language.
Pronoun Shift
Be careful not to shift pronouns mid-sentence or mid-paragraph.
If you start by using you (or one,
or I, etc.), keep on using you.
Shifty: When
one goes shopping, be careful not to lose your wallet.• When one goes shopping, one should
be careful not to lose one’s wallet.
• When you go shopping, be careful not
to lose your wallet.
Pronoun Ambiguity
Be sure to avoid deploying pronouns in ambiguous ways.
Rewriting sentences is usually the best way to stamp out ambiguity.
Ambiguous: Yesterday,
Sarah and Emma talked about her strong dislike of blue cheese.Clear: Sarah strongly dislikes blue cheese, as she told Emma yesterday.
Occasionally, you’ll have to repeat a proper name instead
of using a pronoun. This may sound a little awkward, but it’s better
than being unclear.
Ambiguous: The
Patriots and the Vikings both assumed they would prevail, and, sure
enough, they won.Clear: The Patriots and the Vikings both assumed they would prevail, and, sure enough, the Patriots won.
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