When it comes to writing and speaking effectively, one of the fundamental rules to remember is pronoun antecedent agreement. Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, gender, and person. Here are three important rules to keep in mind:

1. Rule of Number Agreement: The pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number. If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must also be singular, and if the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural. For example, “John lost his keys” (singular) and “The students completed their assignments” (plural).

2. Rule of Gender Agreement: The pronoun must agree with its antecedent in gender. If the antecedent is masculine, the pronoun must be masculine, and if the antecedent is feminine, the pronoun must be feminine. For example, “Mary forgot her phone” (feminine) and “John forgot his wallet” (masculine).

3. Rule of Person Agreement: The pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person. If the antecedent is in the first person, the pronoun must also be in the first person, and if the antecedent is in the third person, the pronoun must be in the third person. For example, “I love my job” (first person) and “She loves her dog” (third person).

By following these rules, you can ensure clear and consistent pronoun usage in your writing. Remember to always double-check that your pronouns agree with their antecedents to avoid confusion or ambiguity. For more information on pronoun antecedent agreement, check out this article: Housing Agreement GMU.