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

##  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: person, number and gender. In this article, we will look at agreement in person.

In grammar, there are three persons:

- first person - the person or group speaking (*I* or *we*)
- second person - the person or group spoken to (*you*)
- third person - the person or thing spoken about (*he, she, it, they*; nouns; indefinite pronouns)

## First person

The first person singular pronoun is *I*; its other forms are *me*, *my* and *mine*. The first person plural pronoun is *we*; its other forms are *us*, *our* and *ours*. If the antecedent is *I* or *we*, then any pronouns referring to that antecedent must also be in the first person:

- *I* have *my* work cut out for *me*. \[*I, my* and *me* are all first person singular\]
- *We* leave tomorrow on *our* vacation. \[*we* and *our* are both first person plural\]

## Second person

The second person pronoun is *you* (other forms: *your* and *yours*). If the antecedent is *you*, then any pronouns referring to that antecedent must also be in the second person.

- Have *you* girls finished *your* meal? \[*you* and *your* are both second person\]
- Harry, *you* dropped *your* glasses. \[*you* and *your* are both second person\]

## Third person

The third person pronouns are *he* (*him*, *his*); *she* (*her*, *hers*); *it* (*its*); and *they* (*them*, *their*, *theirs*). If the antecedent is *he*, *she*, *it*, *they*, or any noun or indefinite pronoun, then any pronouns referring to that antecedent must also be in the third person:

- *He* ate *his* lunch in silence. \[*he* and *his* are both third person\]
- *Lara* stared at *her* compass. \[*Lara* and *her* are both third person\]
- The *firm* advertises *its* products well. \[*firm* and *its* are both third person\]
- The *robins* built *their* nest in the oak. \[*robins* and *their* are both third person\]
- *One* of the boys forgot *his* boots. \[*one* and *his* are both third person\]

## Shift in person

Remember that nouns and indefinite pronouns are third person antecedents. Be careful not to create an error in pronoun agreement by shifting person:

- **Incorrect:** *Canadians* should be proud of *our* country. \[3rd + 1st\]

**Correct:** *Canadians* should be proud of *their* country. \[3rd + 3rd\]
**Correct:** *We* Canadians should be proud of *our* country. \[1st + 1st\]

- **Incorrect:** *Everyone* should send in *your* application today. \[3rd + 2nd\]

**Correct:** *Everyone* should send in *the* application today. \[3rd\]
**Correct:** *You* should all send in *your* applications today. \[2nd + 2nd\]

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## Liens connexes

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