Gender and Number Agreement in English

Gender and Number Agreement in English: A Guide for Writers and Editors

The English language is both fascinating and challenging, especially when it comes to grammar and syntax. One of the most confusing aspects of English grammar is gender and number agreement, which is the matching of nouns, pronouns, and verbs with their corresponding genders and numbers. In this article, we will discuss the rules and guidelines for gender and number agreement in English and how to apply them to your writing as a copy editor.

What is Gender and Number Agreement?

Gender and number agreement is the matching of nouns, pronouns, and verbs with their corresponding genders (masculine, feminine, or neuter) and numbers (singular or plural). In English, gender is not always determined by the physical or biological attributes of the object or person being referred to. Instead, gender is often based on the grammatical category of the noun, pronoun, or verb.

For example, in English, the word “book” is a singular noun that is neuter in gender, while the word “chair” is also a singular noun but is masculine in gender. Similarly, the pronouns “he” and “she” are used to refer to male and female people or animals, respectively, while the pronoun “it” is used for neuter objects or things.

Number, on the other hand, refers to the count of the noun, pronoun, or verb. Singular nouns and verbs refer to one person, animal, or thing, while plural nouns and verbs refer to two or more people, animals, or things.

Rules for Gender and Number Agreement in English

1. Nouns and Pronouns

In English, nouns and pronouns must agree in gender and number. This means that a singular noun or pronoun must have a singular verb, while a plural noun or pronoun must have a plural verb. For example:

– The boy is playing with his toy. (singular)

– The boys are playing with their toys. (plural)

– She is reading a book. (singular)

– They are reading books. (plural)

2. Verbs

Verbs must agree with the number and gender of the subject in a sentence. For example:

– The cat is sleeping. (singular)

– The cats are sleeping. (plural)

– He walks to work. (singular)

– She walks to work. (singular, feminine)

3. Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that do not refer to a specific person or thing, such as “someone,” “anyone,” “everyone.” In English, indefinite pronouns are usually considered singular, even though they refer to multiple people or things. For example:

– Someone is at the door. (singular)

– Everyone is here. (singular)

4. Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of people or things, such as “team,” “family,” “group.” In English, collective nouns can be considered singular or plural, depending on the context. For example:

– The team is practicing. (singular)

– The team are arguing over the strategy. (plural)

Tips for Copy Editors

As a copy editor, it is important to pay attention to gender and number agreement in the documents you are editing. Here are some tips to help you ensure that the text follows the rules for gender and number agreement:

1. Check for subject-verb agreement.

Make sure that the verb agrees with the number and gender of the subject in the sentence.

2. Pay attention to pronouns.

Check that pronouns agree in gender and number with the noun they are referring to.

3. Be aware of collective nouns.

Determine whether collective nouns should be considered singular or plural in the context of the sentence.

4. Double-check indefinite pronouns.

Make sure that indefinite pronouns are treated as singular in the sentence.

Conclusion

Gender and number agreement is an important aspect of English grammar that can be confusing for both writers and editors. By following the rules and guidelines outlined in this article, copy editors can help ensure that the text they are editing is grammatically correct and easy to understand. Remember to pay special attention to subject-verb agreement, pronouns, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns to avoid errors that can detract from the clarity and effectiveness of the text.