Grammar Notes Lesson 5: Using Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement – Answers
Pronouns are words that replace nouns in sentences. Antecedents are the nouns that pronouns refer to. Pronoun-antecedent agreement means that the pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter). Here are the answers to the exercises in Grammar Notes Lesson 5 on using pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Exercise 1
Peter told his brother that he would come to the party.
Antecedent: Peter
Pronoun: he
Agreement: correct
Exercise 2
My sister and I finished our homework before she went to bed.
Antecedent: sister and I
Pronoun: she
Agreement: incorrect
Correction: My sister and I finished our homework before we went to bed.
Exercise 3
The team celebrated their victory over its rival.
Antecedent: team
Pronoun: their, its
Agreement: incorrect
Correction: The team celebrated its victory over its rival.
Exercise 4
Every student must bring their own lunch to school.
Antecedent: every student
Pronoun: their
Agreement: incorrect
Correction: Every student must bring his or her own lunch to school.
Exercise 5
The cat licked its paw and meowed.
Antecedent: cat
Pronoun: its
Agreement: correct
Exercise 6
The committee decided to hold its next meeting in the conference room.
Antecedent: committee
Pronoun: its
Agreement: correct
Exercise 7
My parents gave my sister and me their old car, which they bought in the 1980s.
Antecedent: parents
Pronoun: their
Agreement: correct
Exercise 8
Neither the teacher nor the students could find their textbooks.
Antecedent: teacher, students
Pronoun: their
Agreement: incorrect
Correction: Neither the teacher nor the students could find his or her textbook.
Exercise 9
All of the employees were asked to attend the meeting, but only some of them came.
Antecedent: employees, them
Pronoun: them
Agreement: correct
Exercise 10
A dog wagged its tail and barked at the mailman.
Antecedent: dog
Pronoun: its
Agreement: correct
In conclusion, using pronoun-antecedent agreement correctly is essential in written communication to avoid ambiguity and confusion. Make sure your pronouns match their antecedents in number and gender to ensure clear and effective communication.