Number Agreement

Singular nouns must match with singular pronouns. Plural nouns must match with plural pronouns.

Lisa didn't come to school because she was sick. (singular noun, singular pronoun)

After Sasha and Aaron climbed the Great Wall of China, they were totally exhausted. (two nouns, plural
pronoun)

The two dogs disappeared as they raced over the hill. (plural noun, plural pronoun)

If two nouns are joined with the conjunction and, use a plural pronoun. If they are joined by or or nor,
use a singular pronoun.

John and Randy brought their books to class.

John or Randy brought his book to class.

Neither John nor Randy brought his book to class.

Person Agreement

When writing about yourself, use I, me, we, or us. When writing directly to someone, use you. When
writing about someone (or something) else, use he, she, it, him, her, they, or them. Use it when you
don't know the gender of the thing you're talking about.

My name is Kitty and I am an English teacher.

The pronoun I replaces the noun Kitty. You would not say My name is Kitty and Kitty is an English teacher.

Carmen felt nervous when Melvin asked her to dance.

The little fish knew it was doomed when the shark came around the corner.

I'm going to the movies with Joey and Michael. Do you know them?

Keep in mind that when using the pronouns I, me, we, us, and you, it's not always necessary to have an
antecedent.

Are you going to the dance on Saturday?

When we ask someone a question, we already know who "you" is, so it's not necessary to say the
person's name beforehand.

Our parents always threw wonderful birthday parties for us.

Can you give me a ride, please?

Gender Agreement

When writing about men, use he, him, and his. When writing about women, use she and her. If you don't
know the gender, use he or she, him or his, or his or her. Only use they and their if the antecedent is
plural.

The blind man was about to walk into the street, but I ran over and helped him.

The woman arrived at the store, but she had forgotten her wallet and had to go back home.

Hint:Using their instead of his or her is becoming acceptable in spoken English, but make sure to use his
or her in written English. If using his or her sounds awkward, an easy way to fix this problem is to make
the subject plural.