Peaceable pronouns

Pronouns are peaceable creatures—they like to agree with the words they refer to (called their antecedents). English pronouns should agree with their antecedents in gender, number and person. To test your knowledge of pronoun agreement, pick the answer that is best in formal writing for each question below.

1. of the ballroom dance club brought dues.

Each member, his

Each member, his or her

All the members, their

2. Gloria and Hugh have loaned us bathing suits.

our

their

his or her

3. Because Canadians come from so many varied backgrounds, we have learned to value diversity.

This sentence is correct.

This sentence contains a shift in person.

This sentence contains a shift in number.

4. Choose the correct sentence:

None of the dogs has lost its collar.

None of the dogs have lost their collars.

both are correct

5. Every one of the student nurses passed exams.

her

our

the

6. The company benefited by marketing products online.

its

their

his or her

7. on the committee expressed opinion on the proposal.

Everyone, his

All the people, their

Every man and woman, her

8. Neither the children nor their father had picture taken.

his

their

our

9. Ontario voters must cast ballots before the polls close tonight.

your

our

their

10. None of the Girl Guides forgot lines in the skit.

their

her

our