📚 Topic Summary
Pronoun-antecedent agreement simply means that a pronoun must agree in number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) with the noun it refers to, which is called the antecedent. When these don't match, it can cause confusion. For example, instead of writing 'A student should bring their book,' you would write 'A student should bring his or her book' or, better yet, 'Students should bring their books.' This ensures clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.
Mastering pronoun-antecedent agreement enhances the readability and professionalism of your writing. This is especially important in college writing, where precision and clarity are highly valued. This worksheet provides practice to help solidify your understanding and improve your ability to write clear, concise, and grammatically sound sentences.
🧠 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the term with its definition:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Pronoun |
A. The noun to which a pronoun refers. |
| 2. Antecedent |
B. A word that replaces a noun. |
| 3. Agreement |
C. A pronoun that refers to the subject of the clause or sentence. |
| 4. Singular |
D. Correspondence in number and gender. |
| 5. Reflexive Pronoun |
E. Referring to one item. |
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct pronoun to ensure pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Each student should bring ______ own materials to class. If a group wants to present ____ findings, ______ should inform the professor beforehand. The team worked hard on ______ project, and ______ were proud of the results. When a person studies diligently, ______ will likely see improvements in ______ grades. The company announced ______ new policy, which will affect all of ______ employees.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Explain why pronoun-antecedent agreement is important in academic writing and provide an example of how a lack of agreement can lead to confusion.