Because a pronoun refers back to a noun or takes the place of that noun, you must use the correct pronoun in order for your reader to know which noun the pronoun is referring to. There are of course some rules which we can look at one at a time.....
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RULE 1.: If the pronoun takes the place of a singular noun it must be singular as well. Example of incorrect use: If a person defecates here, they will be penalised. Correct this to : If a person defecates here, he will be penalised.
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RULE 2.: Use the same person throughout the text. This means that if you are writing in the first person (I), you must not confuse your reader by switching to either the second person (you) or third person (he, she, they, it, etc.). Likewise, if you are using the third person don't switch to the first or second person. Example of incorrect use: When a person is born, they bring their destiny along with them. Correct this to: When a person is born, he brings his destiny along with him.
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RULE 3.: Don't be vague about the noun. Example of incorrect use: Although the spoon feel on the floor, it did not get dirty. Ask yourself what did not get dirty the spoon or the floor? Correct this to : Although the spoon fell on the floor, the spoon did not get dirty.
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RULE 4.: There are some words that may sound plural but are singular and thus take singular pronouns. These words are -- everybody, anybody, each, anyone, neither, nobody, a person someone.
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Example of incorrect use: Everybody should do their best to succeed in life. Change this to: Everybody should do his or her best to succeed in life.
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You could also reconstruct the sentence using a plural noun. This way you will use a plural pronoun as well-- You must all to your best to succeed in life.
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RULE 1.: If the pronoun takes the place of a singular noun it must be singular as well. Example of incorrect use: If a person defecates here, they will be penalised. Correct this to : If a person defecates here, he will be penalised.
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RULE 2.: Use the same person throughout the text. This means that if you are writing in the first person (I), you must not confuse your reader by switching to either the second person (you) or third person (he, she, they, it, etc.). Likewise, if you are using the third person don't switch to the first or second person. Example of incorrect use: When a person is born, they bring their destiny along with them. Correct this to: When a person is born, he brings his destiny along with him.
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RULE 3.: Don't be vague about the noun. Example of incorrect use: Although the spoon feel on the floor, it did not get dirty. Ask yourself what did not get dirty the spoon or the floor? Correct this to : Although the spoon fell on the floor, the spoon did not get dirty.
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RULE 4.: There are some words that may sound plural but are singular and thus take singular pronouns. These words are -- everybody, anybody, each, anyone, neither, nobody, a person someone.
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Example of incorrect use: Everybody should do their best to succeed in life. Change this to: Everybody should do his or her best to succeed in life.
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You could also reconstruct the sentence using a plural noun. This way you will use a plural pronoun as well-- You must all to your best to succeed in life.
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