Pronoun antecedent agreement is a key concept in English grammar that refers to the agreement between a pronoun (such as he, she, it, they) and its antecedent (the noun that the pronoun replaces). This agreement is essential for clarity and comprehension in writing.
To help you master the skill of pronoun antecedent agreement, we have prepared an exercise that focuses on some of the common mistakes made by writers. This exercise will help you identify and correct errors in pronoun antecedent agreement.
Exercise 2: Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Exercise
Directions: Read each sentence carefully and identify the antecedent of the underlined pronoun. Then, choose the correct pronoun to replace the underlined pronoun, making sure it agrees in number and gender with the antecedent.
1. Sarah and her friend went to the park, where they played frisbee.
Antecedent: Sarah and her friend
Correct pronoun: They
Explanation: The pronoun “they” is plural and agrees with the antecedent “Sarah and her friend.”
2. The teacher gave each student their assignment.
Antecedent: Each student
Correct pronoun: His or her
Explanation: The pronoun “their” is plural and does not agree with the singular antecedent “each student.” The correct pronoun is “his or her.”
3. The dog wagged its tail when it saw its owner.
Antecedent: The dog
Correct pronoun: Its
Explanation: The pronoun “its” is neutral and agrees with the antecedent “the dog.”
4. The girl who won the race was proud of herself.
Antecedent: The girl
Correct pronoun: Herself
Explanation: The pronoun “herself” agrees with the antecedent “the girl.”
5. The students who went on the field trip brought their lunches.
Antecedent: The students
Correct pronoun: Their
Explanation: The pronoun “their” is plural and agrees with the antecedent “the students.”
Conclusion
Pronoun antecedent agreement is an important aspect of writing that can greatly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your work. By practicing exercises like these, you can become more confident in identifying and correcting errors in pronoun antecedent agreement and produce clear, concise writing.