Here's a breakdown:
* Antecedent: The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to.
* Number: Singular vs. Plural (e.g., "The *dog* wagged *its* tail" vs. "The *dogs* wagged *their* tails.")
* Gender: Masculine, feminine, or neuter (e.g., "The *man* went to *his* office" vs. "The *woman* went to *her* office" vs. "The *tree* shed *its* leaves.")
* Person: First person (I, we), second person (you), or third person (he, she, it, they) (e.g., "I am going to the store" vs. "You are going to the store" vs. "She is going to the store.")
Examples of Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors:
* Incorrect: The team scored a goal and *it* was ecstatic.
* Correct: The team scored a goal and *they* were ecstatic. (The pronoun "they" agrees in number with the plural antecedent "team.")
* Incorrect: The company is hiring *its* new CEO.
* Correct: The company is hiring *its* new CEO. (The pronoun "its" agrees in gender with the neuter antecedent "company.")
* Incorrect: I went to the store with my friend, and *she* bought some milk.
* Correct: I went to the store with my friend, and *he* bought some milk. (The pronoun "he" agrees in person and gender with the antecedent "friend.")
Why is Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Important?
Pronoun antecedent agreement is important for clear and unambiguous communication. When pronouns agree with their antecedents, readers can easily understand who or what is being referred to.
Tips for Avoiding Errors:
* Carefully identify the antecedent of each pronoun.
* Determine the number, gender, and person of the antecedent.
* Choose a pronoun that matches the antecedent in these categories.
* Read your writing aloud to check for any pronoun agreement errors.