Pronoun Agreement
Pronoun agreement and pronoun reference are related but distinct editing checks. Agreement asks whether forms match appropriately; reference asks whether the antecedent is clear and unambiguous.
A pronoun should fit its antecedent in number and person and refer clearly enough that readers can identify what it replaces. Contemporary English also uses singular “they” in appropriate contexts, so blanket rules that prohibit it are outdated.
Key details
Important caveats
Boundary
A pronoun can agree grammatically yet still be unclear if several possible antecedents are nearby.
Further guidance
Diagnostic
Identify the antecedent first, then check the pronoun’s number/person and whether the intended reference is unambiguous.
Singular They
Use singular “they” where appropriate for an indefinite or specified person, subject to the governing style and clarity needs.
Worked Example
“Each applicant should submit their form” uses singular “they” with an indefinite singular antecedent. If two possible people were mentioned, revise further if “their” would be ambiguous.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Using Pronouns Clearly (opens in a new tab)Purdue Online Writing Lab · Purdue requires pronouns to have clear antecedents and agree in number, while recognizing contemporary singular they as part of current usage.
- Proofreading for Errors — Subject/Verb Agreement (opens in a new tab)Purdue Online Writing Lab · Authority used to verify the public writing guidance.