10 Questions
Which of the following pronouns correctly agrees with the plural antecedent 'students'?
They
If the sentence is 'Each student must submit his project', what could be a suitable replacement for 'his' to maintain agreement?
Her
In the sentence 'One of the boys lost their backpack', what is the error in pronoun-antecedent agreement?
The pronoun 'their' should be changed to 'his'
If the antecedent is 'the team', which pronoun would correctly replace it?
It
Which pronoun should replace 'the dog' in the sentence 'Although the dog was small, it was very energetic'?
It
Which pronoun should be used to refer back to a plural antecedent according to the text?
They
In what situation can the pronoun for a collective noun like 'team' be either singular or plural?
If the team are ready to play
What should be the pronoun agreement when the antecedent is a compound subject like 'my two sisters and my brother'?
Plural pronoun: 'My two sisters and my brother are tired.'
Which of the following demonstrates correct pronoun agreement with an antecedent in English?
'It is excellent.' when referring to a singular antecedent
When should the pronoun used for an antecedent be general even if the antecedent is specific?
When avoiding repetition in writing
Study Notes
Pronouns and Antecedents: Understanding Agreement
In English grammar, pronouns and their accompanying noun phrases, known as antecedents, play important roles in sentence construction and meaning. However, these elements can sometimes confuse students of all ages. This article aims to clarify some common questions regarding the relationship between pronouns and their antecedents, particularly with regard to agreement.
Pronouns are used to replace nouns in a sentence. For example, "she" is a pronoun that replaces "my sister." In this case, "my sister" is the antecedent. Similarly, "it" often refers back to "the car," which is its antecedent.
Agreement Between Pronouns and Antecedents
When it comes to agreement between pronouns and antecedents, there are general rules to follow. Pronouns agree with their antecedents when the pronoun's form matches the form of its referent, the antecedent.
For singular antecedents, you would use a singular pronoun. Examples include "he," "him," "his", and so on. For plural antecedents, you would use a plural pronoun like "they," "them," "their."
Example: Singular antecedent: "My big sister is tired." Singular pronoun: "She is tired."
Plural antecedent: "My two sisters are tired." Plural pronoun: "They are tired."
However, there are exceptions to these general rules. In some cases, the antecedent may be singular, but the pronoun used may be plural, especially when there are multiple referents or the gender is unknown. In these examples, the pronoun still agrees with the antecedent, even if the pronoun is plural.
Example: Singular antecedent: "The author's work is excellent." Plural pronoun: "It is excellent."
Another exception occurs when the antecedent is specific, but the pronoun is general. In these cases, the pronoun may be different from the antecedent.
Example: Antecedent: "The cat is afraid." Pronoun: "She" (referring to the cat)
In summary, pronouns and their antecedents must agree in form, even if there are exceptions to these rules. For example, if "he" is used to refer back to a singular antecedent, the sentence should read "He is tired." If "they" is used to refer back to a plural antecedent, the sentence should read "They are tired."
Exceptions and Variations
There are some situations where the agreement between pronouns and antecedents can be more complex. For instance, when the antecedent is a collective noun like "team," "group," or "family," the pronoun may be singular or plural, depending on the intended meaning.
Example: Singular pronoun: "The team is ready to play." Plural pronoun: "The team are ready to play"
In addition, when the antecedent is a compound subject, the pronoun may agree with either part of the compound. For example, "my two sisters and my brother" might agree with "my two sisters" or with "my two sisters and my brother," depending on the intended meaning.
Example: Plural pronoun: "They are tired." Singular pronoun: "My two sisters and my brother are tired."
Conclusion
Understanding the agreement between pronouns and antecedents is essential for clear and correct communication. By following the general rules of pronoun agreement with their antecedents and being aware of the exceptions, you can ensure your writing is clear and effective.
Further Reading
For more information on pronouns and their antecedents, you can refer to the following resources:
Test your knowledge on the agreement between pronouns and their antecedents in English sentences. Explore general rules, exceptions, and variations related to pronoun-antecedent agreement for singular, plural, and complex cases.
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