Agreement
EXPLANATION AND EXAMPLES
NOUN-PRONOUN AGREEMENT
Pronouns refer to nouns or take the place of that noun within a sentence (this helps you avoid repetition). Using the correct pronouns ensures your reader understands which noun you’re referring to.
Nouns and pronouns must agree in number. You must use a singular pronoun to refer to a singular noun, like this:
Jack Smith checked the grade book for
his score on the final exam.
And you must use a plural pronoun to refer to a plural noun, like this:
The
students checked the grade book for
their scores on the final exam.
Whenever possible, use plural nouns to make general statements or observations. For example, if you are discussing traits of a group of analysts, educators, counselors, etc., use plural nouns to do so:
Correct:
Counseling
students must complete an internship during
their program.
A counseling student must complete an internship during
their program.
NOTE: The words everybody, anybody, anyone, each, neither, nobody, someone, a person, etc. are singular and take singular pronouns
NOTE: Nouns and pronouns must also agree in person, or point of view. According to APA, you should use the first-person pronoun to refer to yourself, as you do not want to confuse the reader by referring to yourself in the third person. However, specific programs and instructors here at TCSPP might place preference on students using the third person to refer to themselves. See here for more information on pronouns.
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Subjects and verbs must agree in number (singular or plural).
If a sentence has a singular subject, the sentence’s verb must also be singular; like this:
The clinician writes client notes every day.
If a subject is plural, the verb must also be plural, like this:
The clinicians write client notes every day.
NOTE: When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by
and, use a plural verb.
The
clinicians and the social workers each
take meticulous notes.
If the sentence has more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must agree with the subject.
The
patient
completes an initial intake and then
receives placement recommendations.
If the sentence has a phrase or clause between the subject and the verb, the verb must still agree with the subject, like this.
The
clinician, as well as the social worker and medical doctors,
is a critical component of the care team.
NOTE: The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.
Use a singular verb with noncount nouns.
Depression
is a common diagnosis.
NOTE: Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular and take a singular verb. Some examples are group, team, committee, family, and class.
WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION
For more information about agreement n APA Style, see pages 78-80 of the Publication Manual, Sixth Edition (3.19 Agreement of Subject and Verb and 3.20 Pronouns).
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Purdue Owl Subject-Verb AgreementPurdue Owl Pronouns