Pronoun agreement is one of the most important topics in English Grammar for competitive exams and academic writing. A pronoun must always match its noun in number, gender, person, and case, ensuring clarity and correctness in sentences. In this article, we explain Pronoun Agreement Rules (11–20) with bilingual examples (English–Punjabi), helping learners master tricky cases like collective nouns, singular vs plural subjects, and conjunctions such as and, or, either…or, neither…nor. This structured guide is perfect for exam preparation, quick revision, and error‑free writing.
Rule (11): Pronoun Agreement with Noun Subject
Noun Subject ਨਾਲ Pronoun ਦੀ Agreement
When a noun is used as the subject of a sentence, the pronoun must agree with that noun in number (singular/plural), gender (male/female/neuter), person (1st/2nd/3rd), and case (subject/object).
ਜਦੋਂ ਕਿਸੇ noun ਨੂੰ sentence ਦੇ subject ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ pronoun ਉਸ noun ਦੇ number (ਇਕਵਚਨ/ਬਹੁਵਚਨ), gender (ਪੁਰਸ਼/ਇਸਤਰੀ/ਨਿਰਜੀਵ), person (ਪਹਿਲਾ/ਦੂਜਾ/ਤੀਜਾ), ਅਤੇ case (subject/object) ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਹੀ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
- Aditya is an intelligent boy. → He gets the first prize.
Here, Aditya (a boy) is replaced by the pronoun he. Pronoun agrees in gender (male) and number (singular).
Aditya (ਇੱਕ ਲੜਕਾ) ਨੂੰ pronoun he ਨਾਲ ਬਦਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। Pronoun ਉਸਦੇ ਲਿੰਗ (ਪੁਰਸ਼) ਅਤੇ ਗਿਣਤੀ (ਇਕਵਚਨ) ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ। - Aditi is a good girl. → She is loved by her parents.
Aditi (a girl) is replaced by she. Pronoun agrees in gender (female) and number (singular).
Aditi (ਇੱਕ ਕੁੜੀ) ਨੂੰ pronoun she ਨਾਲ ਬਦਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। Pronoun ਉਸਦੇ ਲਿੰਗ (ਇਸਤਰੀ) ਅਤੇ ਗਿਣਤੀ (ਇਕਵਚਨ) ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ। - These boys are idle. → They will fail in the examination.
Boys (plural) are replaced by they. Pronoun agrees in number (plural).
boys (ਲੜਕੇ – ਬਹੁਵਚਨ) ਨੂੰ pronoun they ਨਾਲ ਬਦਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। Pronoun ਗਿਣਤੀ (ਬਹੁਵਚਨ) ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ। - The knife is blunt. → It is of no use.
Knife (a thing) is replaced by it. Pronoun agrees in gender (neuter) and number (singular).
knife (ਇੱਕ ਚੀਜ਼) ਨੂੰ pronoun it ਨਾਲ ਬਦਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। Pronoun ਲਿੰਗ (ਨਿਰਜੀਵ) ਅਤੇ ਗਿਣਤੀ (ਇਕਵਚਨ) ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ। - These mangoes are sour. → They are not good to eat.
Mangoes (plural things) are replaced by they. Pronoun agrees in number (plural).
mangoes (ਅੰਬ – ਬਹੁਵਚਨ) ਨੂੰ pronoun they ਨਾਲ ਬਦਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। Pronoun ਗਿਣਤੀ (ਬਹੁਵਚਨ) ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ।
The pronoun must always match the subject noun in its grammatical features.
Pronoun ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ subject noun ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Rule (12): Collective Noun as One Group
Collective Noun ਜਦੋਂ “ਇੱਕ ਸਮੂਹ” ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਵੇ
When a collective noun (jury, army, fleet, crew, committee, etc.) is used as the subject and it refers to the group as a single unit, it is treated as singular. In this case, we must use singular pronouns and adjectives (it, its, itself). We do not use plural pronouns (they, them, their).
ਜਦੋਂ collective noun (jury, army, fleet, crew, committee ਆਦਿ) ਨੂੰ subject ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਸਮੂਹ (ਇਕਾਈ) ਦਾ ਬੋਧ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਇਸਨੂੰ singular ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਹਾਲਤ ਵਿੱਚ singular pronouns ਅਤੇ adjectives (it, its, itself) ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। Plural pronouns (they, them, their) ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ।
- The army had to suffer terrible privations in its march. (Correct)
Here, army is seen as one unit, so we use its.
ਇੱਥੇ army ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਸਮੂਹ ਵਜੋਂ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ its ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The army had to suffer terrible privations in their march. (Incorrect) - The fleet will reach its destination in a week. (Correct)
Here, fleet is treated as one whole group, so we use its.
ਇੱਥੇ fleet ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਇਕਾਈ ਵਜੋਂ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ its ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The fleet will reach their destination in a week. (Incorrect) - The jury has given its verdict. (Correct)
Here, jury is considered one body giving one decision, so we use its.
ਇੱਥੇ jury ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ body ਵਜੋਂ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ its ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The jury has given their verdict. (Incorrect)
Collective nouns are singular when they show the idea of one group.
Collective noun ਨੂੰ singular ਮੰਨੋ ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ “ਇੱਕ ਸਮੂਹ” ਦਾ ਬੋਧ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Rule (13): Collective Noun as Separate Individuals
Collective Noun ਜਦੋਂ ਅਲੱਗ‑ਅਲੱਗ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਵੇ
When a collective noun (committee, team, jury, etc.) is used as the subject and it refers to separate individuals or members, it is treated as plural. In this case, we use plural pronouns and adjectives (they, them, their, themselves). We do not use singular pronouns (he, him, his, it, its).
ਜਦੋਂ collective noun (committee, team, jury ਆਦਿ) ਨੂੰ subject ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਅਲੱਗ‑ਅਲੱਗ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਬੋਧ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਇਸਨੂੰ plural ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਹਾਲਤ ਵਿੱਚ plural pronouns ਅਤੇ adjectives (they, them, their, themselves) ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। Singular pronouns (it, its) ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ।
- The committee decided the matter without leaving their seats. (Correct)
Here, committee means many members sitting separately, so we use their.
ਇੱਥੇ committee ਵੱਖ‑ਵੱਖ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਰਸਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ their ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The committee decided the matter without leaving its seats. (Incorrect) - The team are divided in their opinions about playing on Sunday. (Correct)
Here, team shows different members with different opinions, so we use their.
ਇੱਥੇ team ਵੱਖ‑ਵੱਖ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ opinions ਦਿਖਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ their ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The team are divided in its opinions about playing on Sunday. (Incorrect) - The jury were divided in their opinions. (Correct)
Here, jury means individuals disagreeing, so we use their.
ਇੱਥੇ jury ਵੱਖ‑ਵੱਖ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ opinions ਦਿਖਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ their ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The jury were divided in its opinions. (Incorrect)
Collective nouns are plural when they show the idea of separate individuals.
Collective noun ਨੂੰ plural ਮੰਨੋ ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ “ਅਲੱਗ‑ਅਲੱਗ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ” ਦਾ ਬੋਧ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Rule (14): Two or More Singular Nouns with and
and ਨਾਲ ਦੋ ਜਾਂ ਵੱਧ Singular Nouns
When two or more singular nouns are joined by and and used as the subject, they are treated as plural. Therefore, we must use plural pronouns and adjectives (they, them, their, theirs, themselves).
ਜਦੋਂ ਦੋ ਜਾਂ ਵੱਧ singular nouns and ਨਾਲ subject ਵਜੋਂ ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ plural ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਲਈ plural pronouns ਅਤੇ adjectives (they, them, their, themselves) ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
- Aditya and Aman work hard. They are praised by their teacher. (Correct)
Here, Aditya and Aman are two persons, so the pronoun must be they.
ਇੱਥੇ Aditya ਅਤੇ Aman ਦੋ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun they (ਉਹਨਾਂ) ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Aditya and Aman work hard. He is praised by his teacher. (Incorrect)
This is wrong because he refers to only one person, but the subject has two.
ਇਹ ਗਲਤ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ he (ਉਹ) ਇਕ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਲਈ ਹੈ, ਪਰ subject ਦੋ ਹਨ। - Both Adit Priya and Nitika are tired. They have gone home. (Correct)
Here, Adit Priya and Nitika are two persons, so the pronoun must be they.
ਇੱਥੇ Adit Priya ਅਤੇ Nitika ਦੋ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun they (ਉਹ) ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Both Adit Priya and Nitika are tired. She has gone home. (Incorrect)
This is wrong because she refers to only one person, but the subject has two.
ਇਹ ਗਲਤ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ she (ਉਹ ਕੁੜੀ) ਇਕ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਲਈ ਹੈ, ਪਰ subject ਦੋ ਹਨ।
With and joining two singular nouns, use plural pronouns.
ਜਦੋਂ and ਨਾਲ nouns ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ, ਤਾਂ pronoun plural ਵਰਤੋ।
Rule (15): Two Singular Nouns with One Article/Possessive
ਇੱਕ Article/Possessive ਨਾਲ ਦੋ Singular Nouns
When two singular nouns are joined by and, and the first singular noun has an article (the, a, an) or a possessive adjective (my, his, her, our, your), they usually refer to one person or one thing. In this case, we must use singular pronouns and adjectives:
ਜਦੋਂ ਦੋ singular nouns and ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਪਹਿਲੇ singular noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ article (the, a, an) ਜਾਂ possessive adjective (my, his, her, our, your) ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਹੀ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਜਾਂ ਚੀਜ਼ ਦਾ ਬੋਧ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਹਾਲਤ ਵਿੱਚ singular pronouns ਅਤੇ adjectives ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ:
- The secretary and treasurer is negligent of his duty. (Correct)
Here, secretary and treasurer are the same person, so we use his.
ਇੱਥੇ secretary ਅਤੇ treasurer ਇੱਕ ਹੀ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun his ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The secretary and treasurer is negligent of their/its duty. (Incorrect) - The Magistrate and collector has prepared his statement. (Correct)
Here, Magistrate and collector are the same person, so we use his.
ਇੱਥੇ Magistrate ਅਤੇ collector ਇੱਕ ਹੀ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun his ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The Magistrate and collector has prepared their/its statement. (Incorrect) - The poet and thinker has expressed his view clearly. (Correct)
Here, poet and thinker are the same person, so we use his.
ਇੱਥੇ poet ਅਤੇ thinker ਇੱਕ ਹੀ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun his ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The poet and thinker has expressed their/its view clearly. (Incorrect)
When two nouns joined by and refer to the same person/thing, use singular pronouns.
ਜਦੋਂ and ਨਾਲ nouns ਇੱਕ ਹੀ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਜਾਂ ਚੀਜ਼ ਲਈ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣ, ਤਾਂ pronoun singular ਵਰਤੋ।
Rule (16): Two Singular Nouns with Articles/Possessives
Articles/Possessives ਨਾਲ ਦੋ Singular Nouns
When two singular nouns are joined by and, and each singular noun has its own article (the, a, an) or possessive adjective (my, his, her, our, your), they refer to two different persons or things. In this case, we must use plural pronouns and adjectives (they, them, their, theirs, themselves).
ਜਦੋਂ ਦੋ singular nouns and ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਹਰ noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ article (the, a, an) ਜਾਂ possessive adjective (my, his, her, our, your) ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਦੋ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆਂ ਜਾਂ ਚੀਜ਼ਾਂ ਦਾ ਬੋਧ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਹਾਲਤ ਵਿੱਚ plural pronouns ਅਤੇ adjectives (they, them, their, themselves) ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
- The Secretary and the treasurer did not do their duties. (Correct)
Here, Secretary and treasurer are two different persons, so we use their.
ਇੱਥੇ Secretary ਅਤੇ treasurer ਵੱਖ‑ਵੱਖ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun their ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The Secretary and the treasurer did not do his duty. (Incorrect) - The Principal and the Secretary have tendered their resignation. (Correct)
Here, Principal and Secretary are two different persons, so we use their.
ਇੱਥੇ Principal ਅਤੇ Secretary ਵੱਖ‑ਵੱਖ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun their ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The Principal and the Secretary had tendered his resignation. (Incorrect) - The scientist and the thinker have expressed themselves against the use of atom bombs. (Correct)
Here, scientist and thinker are two different persons, so we use themselves.
ਇੱਥੇ scientist ਅਤੇ thinker ਵੱਖ‑ਵੱਖ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਹਨ, ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun themselves ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The scientist and the thinker have expressed himself against the use of atom bombs. (Incorrect)
With and + articles/possessives before each noun, treat them as different persons/things → plural pronouns.
ਜਦੋਂ and ਨਾਲ nouns ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਹਰ noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ article/possessive ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ pronoun plural ਵਰਤੋ।
Rule (17) Use of Pronouns with each /every
each / every ਨਾਲ Pronouns ਦਾ ਵਰਤੋਂ
When two or more singular nouns are joined by and, and the first singular noun has each or every before it, or each singular noun has each/every before it, the whole subject is treated as singular. Therefore, we must use singular pronouns and adjectives:
ਜਦੋਂ ਦੋ ਜਾਂ ਦੋ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ singular nouns and ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਪਹਿਲੇ singular noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ each ਜਾਂ every ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ, ਜਾਂ ਹਰ singular noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ each/every ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ subject ਨੂੰ singular ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਲਈ singular pronouns ਅਤੇ adjectives ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ:
- For persons → he, him, his, himself (masculine), she, her, hers, herself (feminine)
ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਲਈ → he, him, his, himself (ਪੁਰਸ਼), she, her, hers, herself (ਇਸਤਰੀ) - For things → it, its, itself
ਚੀਜ਼ਾਂ ਲਈ → it, its, itself
We do not use plural pronouns (they, them, their).
Plural pronouns (they, them, their) ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ।
- Every soldier and every sailor was in his place. (Correct)
Here, soldier and sailor are taken one by one, so we use his.
ਇੱਥੇ soldier ਅਤੇ sailor ਨੂੰ ਇਕ‑ਇਕ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ his ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Every soldier and every sailor was in its/their place. (Incorrect) - Every policeman and every homeguard did his duty. (Correct)
Here, each person is considered separately, so we use his.
ਇੱਥੇ ਹਰ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਖ‑ਵੱਖ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ his ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Every policeman and every homeguard did its/their duty. (Incorrect) - Each man and woman should try to help his or her fellow beings. (Correct)
Here, man and woman are taken individually, so we use his or her.
ਇੱਥੇ man ਅਤੇ woman ਨੂੰ ਇਕ‑ਇਕ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ his or her ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Each man and woman should try to help their fellow beings. (Incorrect)
Rule (18): Use of Pronouns with or / either…or / neither…nor
or / either…or / neither…nor ਨਾਲ Pronouns ਦਾ ਵਰਤੋਂ
When two or more singular nouns are joined by or, either…or, or neither…nor, the subject is treated as singular. Therefore, we must use singular pronouns and adjectives (he, she, his, her) instead of plural pronouns (they, their).
ਜਦੋਂ ਦੋ ਜਾਂ ਦੋ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ singular nouns or, either…or, ਜਾਂ neither…nor ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ, ਤਾਂ subject ਨੂੰ singular ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਲਈ singular pronouns ਅਤੇ adjectives (he, she, his, her) ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਨਾ ਕਿ plural pronouns (they, their).
- Rudransh or Aditya has lost his book. (Correct)
Here, only one of them lost the book, so we use his.
ਇੱਥੇ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਇੱਕ ਨੇ book ਗੁਆਈ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ his ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Rudransh or Aditya has lost their book. (Incorrect) - Either Aditi or Kavita forgot to take her pen. (Correct)
Here, only one girl forgot, so we use her.
ਇੱਥੇ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਇੱਕ ਕੁੜੀ ਨੇ pen ਭੁੱਲਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ her ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Either Aditi or Kavita forgot to take their pen. (Incorrect) - Neither Ramanand nor Sujeet has done his work. (Correct)
Here, each is considered individually, so we use his.
ਇੱਥੇ ਹਰ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਖ‑ਵੱਖ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ his ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Neither Ramanand nor Sujeet has done their work. (Incorrect)
With or / either…or / neither…nor, use singular pronouns.
or / either…or / neither…nor ਨਾਲ pronoun singular ਵਰਤੋ।
Rule (19) Singular + Plural Nouns with or / nor
Singular + Plural Nouns or / nor ਨਾਲ
When one singular noun and one plural noun are joined by or or nor, and the plural noun comes after or/nor, the subject is treated as plural. Therefore, we must use plural pronouns and adjectives (they, their), not singular pronouns (he, his).
ਜਦੋਂ ਇੱਕ singular noun ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ plural noun or ਜਾਂ nor ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ plural noun or/nor ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਵੇ, ਤਾਂ subject ਨੂੰ plural ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਲਈ plural pronouns ਅਤੇ adjectives (they, their) ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਨਾ ਕਿ singular pronouns (he, his).
- Either the manager or his assistants failed in their duty. (Correct)
Here, manager (singular) + assistants (plural). Since assistants comes last, the subject is plural → pronoun their.
ਇੱਥੇ manager (ਇਕਵਚਨ) + assistants (ਬਹੁਵਚਨ) ਹਨ। ਕਿਉਂਕਿ assistants ਆਖ਼ਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, subject plural ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ → pronoun their।
Either the manager or his assistants failed in his duty. (Incorrect) - Neither Dhiraj nor his friends admitted their fault. (Correct)
Here, Dhiraj (singular) + friends (plural). Since friends comes last, the subject is plural → pronoun their.
ਇੱਥੇ Dhiraj (ਇਕਵਚਨ) + friends (ਬਹੁਵਚਨ) ਹਨ। ਕਿਉਂਕਿ friends ਆਖ਼ਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ, subject plural ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ → pronoun their।
Neither Dhiraj nor his friends admitted his fault. (Incorrect)
If a singular noun and a plural noun are joined by or/nor, and the plural noun comes last, use plural pronouns.
ਜੇ singular noun ਅਤੇ plural noun or/nor ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ plural noun ਆਖ਼ਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ pronoun plural ਵਰਤੋ।
Rule (20) Use of Pronouns with as well as
as well as ਨਾਲ Pronouns ਦਾ ਵਰਤੋਂ
When two nouns are joined by “as well as”, the pronoun and adjective must agree with the first noun (its number, gender, person, and case), not with the second noun.
ਜਦੋਂ ਦੋ nouns “as well as” ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜੇ ਹੋਣ, ਤਾਂ pronoun ਅਤੇ adjective ਪਹਿਲੇ noun ਦੇ number, gender, person ਅਤੇ case ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਨਾ ਕਿ ਦੂਜੇ noun ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ।
- Binay as well as his friends is doing his work. (Correct)
Here, Binay is the first noun (singular, male), so the pronoun is his.
ਇੱਥੇ Binay ਪਹਿਲਾ noun ਹੈ (ਇਕਵਚਨ, ਪੁਰਸ਼), ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun his ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Binay as well as his friends is doing their work.(Incorrect) - The students as well as their teachers are doing their work. (Correct)
Here, students is the first noun (plural), so the pronoun is their.
ਇੱਥੇ students ਪਹਿਲਾ noun ਹੈ (ਬਹੁਵਚਨ), ਇਸ ਲਈ pronoun their ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
The students as well as their teachers are doing his work. (Incorrect)
With as well as, always match the pronoun/adjective to the first noun.
as well as ਨਾਲ pronoun/adjective ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਪਹਿਲੇ noun ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਵਰਤੋ।