Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 8: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

Lesson 4: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A

In this Grade 5 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students learn how pronouns must agree in number and gender with their antecedents, covering singular pronouns (feminine, masculine, and neuter), plural pronouns, and the rules for antecedents joined by and, or, or nor. The lesson introduces key terms such as antecedent, neuter pronoun, and pronoun-antecedent agreement through examples and three sets of fill-in-the-blank exercises. Students practice identifying whether an antecedent is singular or plural and selecting the correct pronoun to match it.

Section 1

Singular Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Definition

A pronoun should agree in both number and gender with its antecedent.

Explanation

Think of a pronoun and its antecedent as best friends who have to match! If the noun (antecedent) is singular, its pronoun buddy must be singular too. Plus, the pronoun has to match the gender. Use he/him/his for males, she/her/hers for females, and it/its for things or animals. It's all about teamwork!

Examples

  • The dog wagged its tail happily. [The singular pronoun its agrees with its singular antecedent, dog.]
  • She thought her answer was correct. [The feminine pronoun her agrees with its feminine antecedent, She.]
  • My uncle explained that he was going on a fishing trip. [The masculine pronoun he agrees with its masculine antecedent, uncle.]
  • Please take the pizza out of the box before it gets cold! [The neuter pronoun it agrees with the neuter antecedent, pizza.]

Section 2

Plural Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Definition

Plural pronouns agree with plural antecedents, which may be nouns or other pronouns.

Explanation

When the noun you're replacing is plural (like students or cars), the pronoun has to be plural, too! Use words like they, them, or their. Here's a cool tip: plural pronouns don't change for gender, which makes them a little easier to use. They work for everyone and everything!

Examples

  • The lions rested in their den. [The plural pronoun their agrees with the plural antecedent, lions.]
  • The children are preparing for their big performance. [The pronoun must agree with the plural antecedent children.]
  • Please check if the books have names inside them. [The pronoun must agree with the plural antecedent books.]
  • Did your friends say that they could join us for the movie? [The pronoun must agree with the plural antecedent friends.]

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Chapter 8: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Agreement of Subject and Verb

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Subject-Verb Agreement: Compound Subjects

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns

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  4. Lesson 4Current

    Lesson 4: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement B

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Singular Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Definition

A pronoun should agree in both number and gender with its antecedent.

Explanation

Think of a pronoun and its antecedent as best friends who have to match! If the noun (antecedent) is singular, its pronoun buddy must be singular too. Plus, the pronoun has to match the gender. Use he/him/his for males, she/her/hers for females, and it/its for things or animals. It's all about teamwork!

Examples

  • The dog wagged its tail happily. [The singular pronoun its agrees with its singular antecedent, dog.]
  • She thought her answer was correct. [The feminine pronoun her agrees with its feminine antecedent, She.]
  • My uncle explained that he was going on a fishing trip. [The masculine pronoun he agrees with its masculine antecedent, uncle.]
  • Please take the pizza out of the box before it gets cold! [The neuter pronoun it agrees with the neuter antecedent, pizza.]

Section 2

Plural Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Definition

Plural pronouns agree with plural antecedents, which may be nouns or other pronouns.

Explanation

When the noun you're replacing is plural (like students or cars), the pronoun has to be plural, too! Use words like they, them, or their. Here's a cool tip: plural pronouns don't change for gender, which makes them a little easier to use. They work for everyone and everything!

Examples

  • The lions rested in their den. [The plural pronoun their agrees with the plural antecedent, lions.]
  • The children are preparing for their big performance. [The pronoun must agree with the plural antecedent children.]
  • Please check if the books have names inside them. [The pronoun must agree with the plural antecedent books.]
  • Did your friends say that they could join us for the movie? [The pronoun must agree with the plural antecedent friends.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 8: Agreement: Subject and Verb, Pronoun and Antecedent

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Agreement of Subject and Verb

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Subject-Verb Agreement: Compound Subjects

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns

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  4. Lesson 4Current

    Lesson 4: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement B

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