Pronomen-Kongruenz (Pronoun Agreement)

Die Grundregel

Ein Pronomen muss mit seinem Bezugswort (Antezedent) übereinstimmen in:

• Numerus (Singular/Plural)
• Genus
• Person

Einfache Übereinstimmung

Singular-Bezugswort → Singular-Pronomen

• The student forgot his book.
• Mary brought her lunch.
• The dog wagged its tail.

Plural-Bezugswort → Plural-Pronomen

• The students forgot their books.
• Tom and Mary brought their lunches.
• The dogs wagged their tails.

Indefinitpronomen

Traditionell Singular

• Everyone should bring his or her own lunch.
• Somebody left his or her bag.
• Each student has his or her assignment.

Das singuläre “They” (Modern)

Das singuläre “they” ist jetzt weithin akzeptiert:

• Everyone should bring their own lunch.
• Somebody left their bag.
• Each student has their assignment.

Dies ist besonders nützlich, wenn das Geschlecht unbekannt oder nicht spezifiziert ist.

Zusammengesetzte Bezugswörter

Mit “And” → Plural

• Tom and Sarah brought their books.
• The teacher and the students shared their ideas.

Mit “Or/Nor” → Richtet sich nach dem Näheren

• Either Tom or his sisters will bring their car.
• Either the sisters or Tom will bring his car.

Kollektivnomen

Abhängig von der Bedeutung:

Als eine Einheit (Singular)

• The team won its game.
• The company changed its policy.

Als Individuen (Plural)

• The team put on their uniforms.
• The jury gave their opinions.

Häufige Fehler

Umständlichkeit vermeiden

Umständlich

• If a student has a problem, he or she should ask his or her teacher.

Bessere Optionen

1. Singuläres “they” verwenden:

   • If a student has a problem, they should ask their teacher.

2. Plural machen:

   • If students have problems, they should ask their teachers.

3. Umformulieren:

   • Students with problems should ask their teachers.

Das singuläre “They”

Das singuläre “they” ist:

• ✓ Grammatisch akzeptiert
• ✓ Von wichtigen Stilführern verwendet
• ✓ Natürlich in der Sprache
• ✓ Inklusiv für alle Geschlechter

Beispiele:

• Someone called, but they didn’t leave a message.
• Ask the customer what they prefer.
• Everyone brought their own lunch.

Quiz