##  [pronoun agreement: number](/writing-tips-plus/pronoun-agreement-number)

##  Avertissement

Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement.

Personal pronouns have to agree with the words they are referring to (called their *antecedents*). A pronoun must match its antecedent in three ways: number, person and gender. In this article, we will look at agreement in number.

A pronoun and its antecedent must agree in number—that is, they must both be either singular or plural.

## Singular

In the following sentences, the pronouns and their antecedents agree in number because they are both singular:

- The *actor* performed *his* part remarkably well. \[*actor* and *his* are both singular\]
- *One* of the girls brought *her* hiking boots. \[*One* and *her* are both singular\]
- *I* have *my* mind made up. \[*I* and *my* are both singular\]

## Plural

In the following sentences, the pronouns and their antecedents agree in number because they are both plural:

- The *students* studied for *their* exam together. \[*students* and *their* are both plural\]
- *We* have brought *our* friends to the party. \[*We* and *our* are both plural\]

## Shift in number

A shift in number is created when a pronoun does not agree in number with its antecedent. Shifts in number often occur when the antecedent is a singular noun or indefinite pronoun that includes both genders: *Canadian*, *person*, *everyone*, *no one*, etc.

The following examples contain a shift in number:

- Every *Canadian* values the freedoms *they* enjoy under the law. \[singular *Canadian* + plural *they*\]
- *Everyone* is wearing *their* hiking boots. \[singular *everyone* + plural *their*\]
- *No one* brought *their* compass with *them*. \[singular *no one* + plural *their, them*\]

Shifts in number like those above are common in informal situations. However, they are not yet accepted in formal speaking and writing. To avoid them, try making the antecedent plural or rewording the sentence to omit the pronoun:

- All *Canadians* value the freedoms *they* enjoy under the law. \[plural *Canadians* + plural *they*\]
- *Everyone* is wearing hiking boots. \[omission of pronoun *their*\]
- *No one* brought a compass. \[replacement of *their* with *a*; omission of *with them*\]

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## Liens connexes

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