Pronoun agreement: Indefinite pronouns

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• General information
• Singular indefinite pronouns
• Plural indefinite pronouns
• Indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural
• Additional information

General information

Pronouns have to agree in number with the words they refer to (which are called their antecedents). That is, a pronoun must be singular when its antecedent is singular, and plural when its antecedent is plural.

However, when the antecedent is an indefinite pronoun, special problems can arise. Follow the guidelines below to make a pronoun agree with an indefinite pronoun antecedent.

Singular indefinite pronouns

Certain indefinite pronouns (such as anybody, each, everyone and other) are always singular. They’re also usually inclusive—that is, they refer to all binary and non-binary genders. When these singular pronouns are used as inclusive antecedents, the pronouns referring to them must be both singular and inclusive.

If you know the gender of the subject of the sentence, use a gendered pronoun. If you don’t the know the gender of the subject of the sentence, use an inclusive pronoun. Although they is most often used as a plural pronoun, most language authorities today agree that it can and should be used as a singular pronoun in formal writing:

• If anyone here plans to enter the contest, they must sign the list. [They is singular and inclusive to agree with anyone.]
• Everybody in the cast has already put on their costume. [They is singular and inclusive to agree with everybody.]

Plural indefinite pronouns

When plural indefinite pronouns (such as both, few, many and several) are used as antecedents, the pronouns referring to them must be plural:

• Both passed their certification exam. [Their is plural to agree with both.]
• Jolanta tasted several of the desserts and found them to be delicious. [Them is plural to agree with several.]

Indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural

Some indefinite pronouns (for example, all, most and some) can be either singular or plural. Usually, these pronouns are followed by a prepositional phrase containing the noun to which they refer. To figure out whether the indefinite pronoun antecedent is singular or plural, look at the noun in the phrase:

• All of the paint has lost its shine. [All refers to paint and is singular, so use the singular pronoun its.]
• All of the dogs had their walks in the morning. [All refers to dogs and is plural, so use the plural pronoun their.]

The pronoun none can mean “not one” (singular) or “not any” (plural). To emphasize the singular meaning, choose the pronoun his or her if you know the gender of the subject of the sentence or the singular they if you don’t know the gender of the subject of the sentence:

• None of the three fathers in the group said he could attend the workshop.
• None of the candidates did well in their interview.

To emphasize the plural meaning, use a plural pronoun:

• None of the three fathers in the group said they could attend the workshop.
• None of the candidates did well in their interview.

Additional information

• Gender-inclusive writing: Use the singular “they”
• Pronoun agreement: Collective nouns
• Pronoun agreement: Compound antecedents with “and”
• Pronoun agreement: Compound antecedents with “or”
• Pronoun agreement: Gender
• Pronoun agreement: Number
• Pronoun agreement: Person