Which Sentence Has Correct Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement (1 Point)
Pronoun-antecedent agreement is a crucial aspect of grammar that writers must be aware of to create clear and effective sentences. A pronoun is a word that substitutes for a noun, and the antecedent is the noun that the pronoun refers to. Proper agreement between the pronoun and the antecedent involves matching their number, gender, and person. In this article, we will focus on identifying the correct sentence with proper pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Sentence 1: Each of the students has made their decision.
Sentence 2: Each of the students has made his or her decision.
Sentence 3: Each of the students has made his decision.
At first glance, all three sentences may seem like they could be correct. However, upon closer inspection, we see that the first sentence is incorrect because it uses the plural pronoun “their” to refer to the singular antecedent “each.” This mistake happens because the writer is trying to avoid using a gender-specific pronoun. Unfortunately, this results in an agreement error that could confuse readers.
The second sentence is an improvement over the first because it uses the singular pronouns “his or her” to refer to the singular antecedent “each.” However, this sentence may seem long and awkward, especially if used repeatedly throughout a piece of writing.
The third sentence is correct because it uses the masculine pronoun “his” to refer to the singular antecedent “each.” Some people may argue that using only the masculine pronoun is sexist or exclusionary. Still, in standard English, using the masculine pronoun as a gender-neutral option is acceptable.
In conclusion, the correct sentence with proper pronoun-antecedent agreement is: Each of the students has made his decision. Remember, it is essential to ensure that your sentences demonstrate proper agreement between pronouns and antecedents to promote clarity and precision in your writing.