Antecedent Gender Agreement: A Grammar Rule You Can`t Ignore

Antecedent gender agreement is a crucial grammar rule that every writer, editor, and content creator must follow. This rule dictates that pronouns must agree with their antecedents in gender, which means that if the antecedent is masculine, the pronoun used must be masculine, and if the antecedent is feminine, the pronoun used must be feminine.

Using the wrong pronoun can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of your message, not to mention it can come across as unprofessional and careless. Therefore, it`s essential to understand and abide by antecedent gender agreement.

Here are some examples of antecedent gender agreement:

Incorrect: Every manager should do their job well.

Correct: Every manager should do his or her job well.

The antecedent “manager” is singular and can be male or female, so it`s necessary to use a gender-neutral pronoun like “his or her” or “he or she” to show inclusivity.

Incorrect: The doctor gave the patient their prescription.

Correct: The doctor gave the patient his or her prescription.

Similarly, the antecedent “doctor” is singular and can be male or female, so using a gender-neutral pronoun would be inappropriate. Instead, we need to use a gender-specific pronoun like “his or her” or “he or she.”

Incorrect: When a student fails, they get discouraged.

Correct: When a student fails, he or she gets discouraged.

Finally, the antecedent “student” is also singular and can be male or female, so it`s best to use a gender-specific pronoun to avoid confusion.

In conclusion, antecedent gender agreement is a vital grammar rule that every writer and editor must understand. The proper use of pronouns based on gender can make your writing clear and professional, avoiding any confusion or misinterpretation. Therefore, always take the time to check your work for proper antecedent gender agreement to improve your writing and communication skills.