Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar, ensuring that a sentence is clear and easy to understand. However, it is equally important to ensure that subject pronouns agree with their antecedents, or the nouns they refer to, to maintain proper sentence structure and avoid confusion.
Here are some examples of subject pronoun agreement to help you better understand this concept:
1. Singular subject pronouns
When referring to a singular noun, you should use a singular subject pronoun. For example:
– The cat licked its paws. (Not “their” paws, as “cat” is singular.)
– Sarah ate her sandwich. (Not “their” sandwich, as “Sarah” is singular.)
2. Plural subject pronouns
When referring to plural nouns, use plural subject pronouns. For example:
– The dogs chased their tails. (Not “its” tails, as “dogs” is plural.)
– The students completed their homework. (Not “his” or “her” homework, as “students” is plural.)
3. Collective nouns
When referring to collective nouns – singular nouns that refer to groups of people or things – the choice of a singular or plural subject pronoun depends on whether you are referring to the group as a whole or its individual members. For example:
– The team won its game. (Referring to the team as a single entity.)
– The team members celebrated their victory. (Referring to the individual members of the team.)
4. Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns – words like “everyone,” “anyone,” “someone,” and “nothing” – refer to people or things in general and are always singular. Therefore, singular subject pronouns are used when referring to them. For example:
– Anyone can carry his or her own bag. (Not “their” bag, as “anyone” is singular.)
– Everything has its place. (Not “their” place, as “everything” is singular.)
In conclusion, subject pronoun agreement is an important aspect of grammar that ensures clarity and precision in writing. By following the rules outlined above, you can avoid common mistakes and produce well-written, grammatically correct sentences.