As a copy editor, one of the most common errors I come across is the pronoun-antecedent number agreement error. This error occurs when there is a mismatch in the number of the pronoun and its antecedent. A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun, and an antecedent is the noun the pronoun refers to. To avoid this error, it is important to remember that the number of the pronoun should match the number of its antecedent.

Let`s take a look at some examples of pronoun-antecedent number agreement errors:

Incorrect: The student handed in their assignment.

Correct: The student handed in his or her assignment.

In the first example, the pronoun “their” is incorrect because it is plural, while the antecedent “student” is singular. The correct pronoun to use here is either “his” or “her,” depending on the gender of the student.

Incorrect: The runners crossed the finish line, and they were exhausted.

Correct: The runners crossed the finish line, and he or she was exhausted.

In this example, the pronoun “they” is incorrect because it is plural, while the antecedent “runner” is singular. The correct pronoun to use here is either “he” or “she,” depending on the gender of the runner.

Incorrect: The employees were given their paychecks, but he forgot to sign them.

Correct: The employees were given their paychecks, but they forgot to sign them.

In this example, the pronoun “he” is incorrect because it does not refer to any specific antecedent. The correct pronoun to use here is “they,” which refers to the plural antecedent “employees.”

Pronoun-antecedent number agreement errors can not only make your writing look unprofessional, but they can also cause confusion for your readers. To avoid this error, always make sure that the number of the pronoun matches the number of its antecedent, and if you are unsure, it is always better to use a gender-neutral pronoun such as “they” or to rephrase the sentence entirely.

By taking the time to check and correct your writing for pronoun-antecedent number agreement errors, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand for your readers. Remember, the devil is in the details, and paying attention to these small but important details can make a big difference in the effectiveness of your writing.