Noun Pronoun Number Agreement: A Must-Know for Effective Writing

When it comes to writing well, one of the essential skills you need to master is noun pronoun number agreement. This concept refers to the agreement between the number of a noun and the number of the pronoun that refers to it. It may seem like a small detail, but ignoring this can make your writing confusing and hard to read.

Here`s an example:

Incorrect: Each student should bring their own laptop to class.

Correct: Each student should bring his or her own laptop to class.

In the incorrect sentence, the pronoun “their” does not agree in number with the noun “student,” which is singular. The correct version uses the singular “his or her” to maintain agreement.

To help you understand noun pronoun number agreement better, let`s take a closer look at this concept.

Singular and Plural Nouns

In English, nouns can be singular or plural. Singular nouns refer to one person, place, thing, or idea, while plural nouns refer to more than one. For instance, “book” is singular, while “books” is plural.

To form the plural of most nouns, we add “s” to the end of the singular form. For example, “dog” becomes “dogs,” “house” becomes “houses,” and so on. However, some nouns have irregular plural forms, such as “child” (children), “woman” (women), and “foot” (feet).

Singular and Plural Pronouns

Just like nouns, pronouns can be singular or plural. Some examples of singular pronouns are “he,” “she,” “it,” “mine,” “this,” and “who.” Plural pronouns include “they,” “we,” “you,” “those,” and “them.”

When we use a pronoun to refer to a noun, we need to make sure that the number of the pronoun agrees with the number of the noun. For example, if the noun is singular, we use a singular pronoun, and if it is plural, we use a plural pronoun.

Examples:

Singular: The cat chased its tail.

Plural: The cats chased their tails.

Singular: The book is mine.

Plural: The books are mine.

Singular: This is my car.

Plural: These are my cars.

Tricky Cases

There are some cases where noun pronoun number agreement can be tricky. Here are a few examples:

Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “someone,” “anyone,” and “nobody,” are singular. Therefore, we use singular pronouns to refer to them, even though they may refer to more than one person.

Example: Everyone should bring his or her own lunch.

Collective Nouns: Collective nouns, such as “team,” “family,” and “audience,” can be singular or plural depending on the context. If we want to emphasize the group as a unit, we use a singular pronoun. If we want to emphasize the individuals in the group, we use a plural pronoun.

Examples:

Singular: The team won its first game.

Plural: The team members high-fived each other after their win.

Singular: The family is going on vacation.

Plural: The family members are packing their bags.

Gender-Neutral Pronouns: With the growing awareness of the importance of inclusivity, many people are using gender-neutral pronouns, such as “they/them” or “ze/hir,” instead of traditional gendered pronouns like “he/she.” When using gender-neutral pronouns, make sure they agree in number with the noun.

Example: The manager gave them their assignments for the day.

In conclusion, mastering noun pronoun number agreement is crucial to write effectively. It may take some practice and attention to detail, but the result will be well-written and clear communication. Remember to pay attention to singular and plural nouns, use appropriate singular and plural pronouns, and be aware of tricky cases. With these tips, you`ll be on your way to writing great content that engages your readers!