Identify the pronoun. Identify the noun closest to the pronoun. Identify whether there is an agreement in person or being, number and gender.
Identify which type of antecedent it is. A subject or object antecedent occurs where the pronoun refers to the subject or object of the sentence.
For example: The boy lost his ball. (Subject) Yes the boy lost it. (Object)
Identify where there are multiple antecedents to which the pronoun is referring.
For example: Bill and Ben lost their flower pots. (Pronoun refers to two people)
Identify where multiple antecedents are referred to individually, where there is a choice involved.
For example: Either Jack or John will bring his bucket. (Pronoun refers to only Jack or John)
Identify whether the antecedents can be measured. Measurable antecedents take the correct numeral form. However, immeasurable antecedents always take the singular form.
For example: The birds got into the house through the open window and they were flying around the house together. (Pronoun is measurable)
For example: The night air was cold as it blew through Bill's hair. (Pronoun is immeasurable)
Identify whether a collective noun is being used as an antecedent.
For example: The club wanted more of its supporters to become members. (Collective noun)
Identify where whole clauses are antecedents.
For example: The people at the party were very noisy. (Antecedent clause)
They were arrested by the police for disturbing the peace.
Consider the use of who, whom, whoever and whose. They also are used as antecedents. They are sometimes difficult to understand as they are not commonly used in spoken English.
For example: Who will take out the rubbish? (Will she do it?)
Whom will you award the prize to this year? (Will you award it to her?)
Whoever helps tidy the house will get pocket money. (Are you going to help?)
Whose lunch was not eaten? (Is this your uneaten lunch?)