Pronoun and Antecedent Not in Agreement: A Common Mistake in Writing
Pronouns are an essential part of the English language. They are used to replace nouns in sentences to avoid repetition. However, when pronouns are not correctly used in conjunction with their antecedents, it can lead to confusion and ambiguity in writing.
The antecedent is the word that the pronoun refers to in a sentence. If the pronoun and antecedent do not match in number, gender, or person, it leads to a grammatical error known as pronoun-antecedent disagreement. It is a common mistake in writing that can affect the clarity and effectiveness of your message.
For instance, consider the following sentence: “Each of the students must submit their project by tomorrow.” In this sentence, the pronoun “their” does not agree with the singular antecedent “each.” A better way of addressing this sentence while adhering to grammar rules would be: “Each student must submit his or her project by tomorrow.”
Another example of this error is when gender-neutral pronouns are used interchangeably with male or female antecedents. For instance, “Every employee should ensure they arrive on time.” This sentence is incorrect because “they” is plural and cannot be used to refer to the singular antecedent “employee.” A better way of addressing this sentence would be: “Every employee should ensure he or she arrives on time.”
In some cases, the antecedent may appear later in the sentence or even in a different sentence. In such cases, it is essential to ensure that the pronoun used refers to the appropriate antecedent. For example: “After going to the cinema, John and his friends went out for a drink. He enjoyed the movie.” Here, the pronoun “he” does not refer to the antecedent “John” but refers to “friends.” A better and clearer way of writing this sentence would be: “After going to the cinema, John and his friends went out for a drink. John enjoyed the movie.”
In conclusion, pronoun-antecedent disagreement is a common mistake made in writing that can affect the clarity and effectiveness of a message. As writers, we need to ensure that our pronouns match the antecedents in number, gender, and person. This not only helps in proper communication but also enhances the credibility of our writing. As a copy editor, it is essential to pay attention to these errors and rectify them to ensure that the message is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.
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