Pronoun reference agreement is an essential part of writing. It is the agreement between the noun and pronoun in a sentence. Understanding and practicing good pronoun reference agreement is crucial for effective communication and clear writing. In this article, we will discuss some examples of pronoun reference agreement and how they impact the meaning of a sentence.

Example 1: Incorrect pronoun reference agreement

« Jessica told her sister that she would pick her up from the airport. »

In this sentence, it is unclear who « she » and « her » refer to. Does « she » refer to Jessica or her sister? And who is « her » referring to? This sentence lacks clear pronoun reference agreement, making it confusing for the reader.

Example 2: Correct pronoun reference agreement

« Jessica told her sister that she (Jessica) would pick her (her sister) up from the airport. »

In this revised sentence, the pronoun references are much clearer. By specifying who « she » and « her » refer to, the sentence becomes much more readable and understandable.

Example 3: Incorrect pronoun reference agreement

« The dog chased after the ball, and it ran into the street. »

In this sentence, it is unclear what « it » is referring to. Is it the dog or the ball? This lack of agreement can cause the reader to become confused and misinterpret the meaning of the sentence.

Example 4: Correct pronoun reference agreement

« The dog chased after the ball, and the ball ran into the street. »

In this revision, the sentence rephrased to ensure that the pronoun agrees with the noun. This makes it clear that « it » refers to the ball, not the dog.

Example 5: Incorrect pronoun reference agreement

« The chef said that he was the best cook, and they all agreed. »

In this sentence, « they » is used as a pronoun reference, but it is unclear who « they » refers to. Does it refer to the chef and his team, or the customers of the restaurant? The reader will be left confused if this is not clarified.

Example 6: Correct pronoun reference agreement

« The chef said that he was the best cook, and his team all agreed. »

In this revision, the pronoun « they » is replaced with « his team, » which specifies who the chef is referring to. This makes it clear to the reader who is agreeing with the chef`s statement.

In conclusion, understanding and practicing good pronoun reference agreement is essential to clear writing. By paying attention to pronoun references and ensuring that they agree with their respective nouns, writers can avoid confusion and ensure that their message is communicated effectively. The above examples illustrate how vital pronoun reference agreement is in writing, and how it can impact the meaning of a sentence.