Understanding Pronoun Agreement in "Every Woman Received..."
Let's break down a common grammar question that can sometimes trip people up: "Which pronoun best completes the sentence: Every woman received __________ prize?" We're given four options: a) their, b) she, c) there, and d) her. To figure this out, we need to understand how pronouns work and specifically how they agree with the nouns they represent.
Analyzing the Sentence Structure
The sentence begins with "Every woman". This is a crucial phrase. Even though "woman" is singular, the word "every" signals that we're talking about each individual woman separately. This means that grammatically, "every woman" is treated as a singular subject.
The sentence then goes on to say that each woman received a prize. We need a pronoun that refers back to "every woman" and indicates possession (whose prize it is).
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at each option:- a) their: "Their" is a plural possessive pronoun. It's used when referring to more than one person or thing. For example, "The students received their books." Since "every woman" is treated as singular in this context, "their" is not the best fit. While some people use "their" as a singular pronoun for inclusivity, in formal grammar and in a sentence like this where a clear singular antecedent exists, it's generally considered incorrect.
- b) she: "She" is a singular subject pronoun. It's used as the subject of a verb. For example, "She received a prize." In our sentence, we need a possessive pronoun to show ownership of the prize, not a subject pronoun.
- c) there: "There" is an adverb or a determiner used to indicate a place or existence. For example, "The prize is over there," or "There is a prize." It doesn't function as a possessive pronoun referring back to "every woman."
- d) her: "Her" is a singular possessive pronoun. It's used to show that something belongs to a female person. For example, "The prize is her prize." This pronoun correctly agrees with the singular, female antecedent "every woman."
The Correct Answer
Based on our analysis, the pronoun that best completes the sentence "Every woman received __________ prize" is d) her.
The completed sentence reads: Every woman received her prize.
This is because "every woman" is treated as a singular subject, and "her" is the singular possessive pronoun that agrees with it.
A Deeper Dive into "Every" and Pronoun Agreement
Sentences starting with indefinite pronouns like "every," "each," "either," "neither," "anyone," "anybody," "everyone," "everybody," "no one," "nobody," "someone," and "somebody" are grammatically singular. This means that any pronoun referring back to these words must also be singular.
Consider these examples:
Every student must bring his or her book. (Traditionally, "his or her" was used to maintain singular agreement. "His" was once considered gender-neutral, but this is less common now.)
Each participant submitted his or her entry.
In modern usage, to avoid awkwardness or to be more inclusive, many style guides now permit the singular "their" when referring to an unspecified gender or when a singular antecedent's gender is unknown or irrelevant. For instance, "Every student submitted their entry." However, in the specific case of "every woman," where the gender is explicitly female, "her" is the most precise and grammatically sound choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know if a pronoun needs to be singular or plural?
You need to look at the noun or noun phrase the pronoun is referring to (the antecedent). If the antecedent is singular (like "every woman," "a cat," "the house"), the pronoun should be singular. If the antecedent is plural (like "the women," "the cats," "the houses"), the pronoun should be plural.
Why is "their" sometimes used with singular antecedents like "every woman"?
Historically, using "their" with singular antecedents was considered grammatically incorrect. However, in recent years, "their" has gained wider acceptance as a singular pronoun, especially when referring to a person whose gender is unknown or when trying to be gender-neutral and inclusive. While it's becoming more common, in a sentence like "Every woman received _______ prize," where the gender is specified as female, "her" remains the most traditionally correct and precise option.
What is the difference between a subject pronoun and a possessive pronoun?
A subject pronoun (like "I," "you," "he," "she," "it," "we," "they") acts as the subject of a verb. A possessive pronoun (like "my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," "their") shows ownership.
