Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Problems

Pronoun-antecedent agreement problems: Pronouns work by agreeing with/matching their antecedent nouns in terms of number, person, and gender.  Pronoun agreement errors occur when the pronoun and the antecedent do not match.

One of the students must give their oral report tomorrow. (Incorrect)

One of the students must give his or her oral report tomorrow. (Correct)

Antecedent                    pronoun

My student hopes to have their lottery number picked. (Incorrect)

My student hopes to have his lottery number picked. (Correct)

Antecedent             pronoun

A doctor must have a good relationship with their patients.  (Incorrect)

Antecedent                                    pronoun

A doctor must have a good relationship with his or her patients.  (Correct)

Antecedent                                      pronoun

Doctors must have a good relationship with their patients.  (Correct)

Antecedent                                   pronoun

The students know they can pass their classes.  (Correct)

    Antecedent     pronoun        pronoun

The MLCKRB (Master List Code Key and Rule Book): An English Grammar & Style Handbook by Jared Aragona, CC BY 4.0