Antecedents of Pronoun

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When a pronoun is used in a sentence, it must have a corresponding noun at the beginning before it was used. This particular noun which is referred by the pronoun that comes later is known as the antecedent of that pronoun. And there should be a clear indication of that noun to which the pronoun would be referring to. If there is no correspondence between the pronoun and the antecedent, then the sentence will be inaccurate.

For example:

He didn’t get the job as they didn’t like his performance that much. Incorrect
He didn’t get the job as the interviewers didn’t like his performance that much. Correct
Or, The interviewers didn’t give him the job as they didn’t like his performance. Correct
Graham doesn’t like politicians because it is corrupted. Incorrect
Graham doesn’t like politics because it is corrupted. Correct
Graham doesn’t like politicians because they are corrupted. Correct
Rick and Mary hate flying because they make too much noise. Incorrect
Rick and Mary hate flying in a helicopter because they make too much noise. Correct
Jerry told Jean that she needed to help her with the homework. Incorrect
Jerry told Jean that, in order to finish the homework she would need her help. Correct

When the noun is uncountable or referring to a team or unit then the pronoun used after it would be singular. But if the noun is countable then the pronoun used afterward would be plural. If indefinite pronouns are used as antecedents then the pronoun used afterward would be modified accordingly. If indefinite pronouns like one, no one, anything everything, either, each, something etc. is used as antecedents then the following pronoun will be singular. But if indefinite pronouns like few, many, both, several etc. are used as antecedents then the following pronoun will be plural.

For example:

Most of the milk was poured out of their container. Incorrect
Most of the milk was poured out of its container. Correct
Many people had to lose his/her job because of corruption. Incorrect
Many people had to lose their jobs because of corruption. Correct
Many of the stones have lost its market value after the annual budget. Incorrect
Many of the stones have lost their market value after the annual budget. Correct
Most of the ink was dry as they were not properly sealed within a container. Incorrect
Most of the ink was dry as it was not properly sealed within a container. Correct
The team has tried their best to achieve success. Incorrect
The team has tried its best to achieve success. Correct
The jury is still unable to reach any verdict of its own. Incorrect
The jury is still unable to reach any verdict of its own. Correct
The group is still vulnerable because of their activities. Incorrect
The group is still vulnerable because of its activities. Correct
Everyone is perfect in their own eyes. Incorrect
Everyone is perfect in his/her own eyes. Correct
Each person should value their own understandings. Incorrect
Each person should value his/her own understandings. Correct
Nobody is able to survive on their own. Incorrect
Nobody is able to survive on his/her own. Correct
Few of them knows what it means to them. Incorrect
Few of them knows what it means to them. Correct
Several people had to work his/her way up to reach this level. Incorrect
Several people had to work their way up to reach this level. Correct
Many people don’t realize what he/she have until it is lost. Incorrect
Many people don’t realize what they have until it is lost. Correct
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