E1: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Problems

E1: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Problems: Pronouns work by agreeing with/matching their antecedent nouns in terms of number, person, and gender.  Pronoun agreement errors occur when the pronoun and the antecedent do not match.  See Writing for Success Section 2.5 pp. 77-78 or the following: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns.htm

Bertha knows she can pass her classes.   (Correct)

Antecedent   pronoun       pronoun

The students know they can pass their classes.  (Correct)

    Antecedent     pronoun        pronoun

A doctor must have a good relationship with their patients.  (Incorrect)

Antecedent                                    pronoun

A doctor must have a good relationship with his or her patients.  (Correct)

Antecedent                                      pronoun

Doctors must have a good relationship with their patients.  (Correct)

Antecedent                                   pronoun