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Special Problems in Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Special Problems in Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement. A collective noun is singular when the noun refers to the group as a unit and plural when the noun refers to the individual members or parts of the group. Examples:

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Special Problems in Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

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  1. Special Problems in Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

  2. A collective noun is singular when the noun refers to the group as a unit and plural when the noun refers to the individual members or parts of the group. Examples: • The orchestra was looking forward to performing its rendition of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony. • The orchestra were tuning their instruments when the conductor arrived.

  3. An expression of an amount (a measurement, a percentage, or a fraction, for example) may take a singular or plural pronoun, depending on how it is used. • An expression of an amount is • Singular when the amount is thought of as a unit. • Plural when the amount is thought of as separate parts.

  4. Examples: • Two days is a long time. It could seem like forever. --One time. • Two days (Monday and Friday) were especially cold and rainy. They were so wet that baseball practice was canceled. --Two separate days. • Five dollars was the price. I had it in my pocket. --One price. • Five dollars were torn. The vending machine would not accept them. --Separate dollars.

  5. Amounts, continued • A fraction or percentage is • Singular when it refers to a singular word • Plural when it refers to a plural word. • Examples: • Nine tenths of the colony has returned to its usual routine. (refers to singular noun “colony”) • Nine tenths of the ants have returned to their usual routines. (refers to plural noun “ants”)

  6. Some nouns that are plural in form take singular pronouns. • The following nouns take singular pronouns. civics genetics economics mathematics mumps news physics electronics gymnastics measles

  7. Even when plural in form, the title of a creative work (such as a book, song, movie, or painting) or the name of a country, a city, or an organization generally takes a singular pronoun. • Examples: • Have you read Thousand Cranes? It was written by Yasunari Kawabata. • My all-time favorite film is Dances with Wolves. One of its principal characters is played by the Canadian actor Graham Greene.

  8. The number of a relative pronoun (such as that, which, or who) is determined by the number of its antecedent. • Examples: • Jessica, who always takes pride in her work, has been appointed editor of the school yearbook. • All who want to volunteer for the yearbook staff should raise theirhands.

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