Pronouns: Singular-Plural Agreement

Pronouns are the stars of language. They step in when nouns need a break, so you’re not constantly repeating names of characters or places. But just like guests at a party, they need to match the group they’re representing.

Photo by Miriam Alonso

Pronouns are the stars of language. They step in when nouns need a break, so you’re not constantly repeating names of characters or places. But just like guests at a party, they need to match the group they’re representing. Singular nouns call for singular pronouns; plural nouns call for plural pronouns.

It sounds simple, but watch out. Tricky moments hide in everyday storytelling. Imagine a stray dog wandering your street. You don’t say, “The dog wagged their tail,” unless you’ve got a pack. One dog gets one tail, so “it wagged its tail” keeps your sentence honest and tidy.

Here is our compact guide for you:

Singular vs. Plural Pronoun Forms

• Singular: He, she, it, him, her, his, hers, itself

• Plural: They, them, their, theirs, themselves

• Both: You, your, yours (depends on context)

Weaving them into stories about people makes pronoun agreement feel alive and real. Picture Maria, a painter, pouring herself into her latest canvas. You wouldn’t write, “Maria splashed their colors boldly,” because Maria is one artist, not a collective. Instead, you’d say, “Maria splashed her colors boldly,” and suddenly, the pronoun dances perfectly with the antecedent.

Plural scenarios are just as charming. Think of a group of friends running through the park, laughing so loudly the squirrels scatter. You say, “They couldn’t stop giggling,” and the pronoun captures the whole crew, keeping the story vibrant and coherent.

Things, too, demand careful attention. One bicycle leaning against a fence deserves “it,” not “they.” But when a row of bicycles is waiting outside the coffee shop, suddenly “they” becomes the right companion. Missteps here can create tiny, jarring moments for the reader, like a sour note in a favorite song.

Even sentences that stretch across multiple ideas need attention.

Take this: “Painter Frida Kahlo was best known for her portraits. It was strongly influenced by indigenous culture.”

Does something feel off? That “it” stumbles because there are many portraits. Switch to “They were strongly influenced by indigenous culture,” and the correct grammar is restored. The pronoun no longer trips; it glides over the plural noun, carrying your reader effortlessly.

Everyday life also offers these lessons in miniature. When describing a family’s weekend trip, you wouldn’t say, “The children went on a ride. He screamed the loudest.” Which child? “They screamed the loudest” ties the pronoun to all the kids, keeping everyone in the frame. Paying attention to these tiny matches between nouns and pronouns ensures your stories feel polished without ever sounding stiff.

Every he, she, it, or they is a brushstroke that paints clarity into your story. Does your pronoun fit its antecedent? Play with it, tweak it, and let your words flow naturally. 

If you’ve finished your story and want to polish your manuscript, we’re here to help. Send your manuscript to themanuscripteditor.com for a complimentary 800-word sample edit today.