When it comes to writing in English, pronoun usage can be a tricky aspect to get right. One of the biggest issues that writers face is ensuring that their pronouns have proper subject-verb agreement.

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar as it ensures that sentences are clear and easily understandable. Simply put, subject-verb agreement simply means that the subject of a sentence must agree with its verb in number.

For example, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular as well. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural too. This rule applies to all parts of the sentence, including pronouns.

When we use pronouns, they must agree with their antecedents in terms of number and gender. An antecedent is the noun that the pronoun replaces. For example, in the sentence “Mary went to the store to buy her groceries,” the antecedent is Mary, and the pronoun is her.

Here are a few examples of proper subject-verb agreement with pronouns:

– He is going to the movies.

– She sings beautifully.

– They are playing soccer.

– We have been waiting for an hour.

– You must be joking!

However, subject-verb agreement becomes more complicated when dealing with compound subjects and pronouns that can be both singular and plural, like “they” or “everyone.”

When dealing with compound subjects, writers need to ensure that the verb matches the grammatical number of the subject closest to it. For instance, in the sentence “Sarah and her brother are going to the beach,” the verb “are” agrees with the plural subject “brother.”

Using gender-neutral pronouns can also present challenges. Some writers may be hesitant to use them, while others may use them too often. There are a few commonly used gender-neutral pronouns, including “they,” “them,” “theirs,” “ze,” and “xe.”

For instance, when using “they” as a gender-neutral pronoun, it`s important to ensure that it matches the number of the subject. “They are going to the store” would be appropriate if the subject was plural, while “they is going to the store” would be incorrect.

In conclusion, proper subject-verb agreement is critical in writing, especially when using pronouns. Writers should take care to ensure that their pronouns agree with the number and gender of their antecedents to avoid making grammar mistakes that can affect the clarity of their writing.