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Pronoun-antecedent agreement is a fundamental grammar rule that every writer must pay close attention to. The agreement of pronouns and antecedents ensures clarity and consistency in writing. Failure to follow these rules can result in confusion and ambiguity in a sentence.

In essence, a pronoun replaces a noun or a noun phrase that was mentioned earlier in the sentence. The noun or noun phrase that the pronoun replaces is referred to as the antecedent. Pronoun-antecedent agreement means that the pronoun and the antecedent must match, not only in gender but also in number. Therefore, if the antecedent is singular, then the pronoun that replaces it must also be singular, and vice versa.

Here are some pronoun-antecedent agreement rules that every writer must bear in mind:

1. Match singular antecedents with singular pronouns and plural antecedents with plural pronouns.

Incorrect: Everyone should bring their laptops to the meeting.

Correct: Everyone should bring their laptop to the meeting.

2. Use a gender-neutral pronoun where the gender of the antecedent is unknown or irrelevant.

Incorrect: The doctor said he would return shortly.

Correct: The doctor said they would return shortly.

3. When referring to collective nouns such as team, group, committee, and family, use a singular pronoun.

Incorrect: The team won their first game of the season.

Correct: The team won its first game of the season.

4. When two antecedents are joined by “and,” use a plural pronoun.

Incorrect: Mary and John went to the movies, and she enjoyed the film.

Correct: Mary and John went to the movies, and they enjoyed the film.

5. When two antecedents are joined by “or” or “nor,” use a pronoun that agrees with the closest antecedent.

Incorrect: Neither the teacher nor the students did their homework.

Correct: Neither the teacher nor the students did his or her homework.

By following these simple rules, writers can avoid errors in pronoun-antecedent agreement and make their writing clear and concise. It is also important to note that consistency in pronoun use throughout a piece of writing is key to maintain clarity and professionalism.