Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: Examples in Complex Sentences

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔍 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: A pronoun must agree in number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine/neuter) with its antecedent (the noun it refers to).
• 💡 Singular Antecedents: Use singular pronouns (he, she, it, him, her, his, hers, its) with singular antecedents. *Example:* The dog wagged *its* tail.
• 📝 Plural Antecedents: Use plural pronouns (they, them, their, theirs) with plural antecedents. *Example:* The students submitted *their* assignments.
• 🧑‍🏫 Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns (everyone, each, someone, anyone, nobody) are singular. *Example:* Everyone should bring *their* own lunch. (Note: In modern usage, 'their' is often used to avoid gendered pronouns)
• 🤝 Compound Antecedents: Antecedents joined by 'and' are usually plural. *Example:* John and Mary went to *their* favorite restaurant.
• 🤔 Compound Antecedents (or/nor): When antecedents are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the pronoun agrees with the antecedent closest to it. *Example:* Neither the students nor the teacher finished *her* work.
• 🔗 Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (team, committee, family) can be singular or plural, depending on whether they act as a unit or as individuals. *Example:* The team celebrated *its* victory. / The team are arguing among *themselves*.

Practice Quiz

1. Which sentence demonstrates correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?
   1. The committee made its decision, and they announced it.
   2. The committee made their decision, and they announced it.
   3. The committee made its decision, and it announced it.
   4. The committee made their decision, and it announced it.
2. Everyone should bring ______ own lunch to the field trip.
   1. his
   2. her
   3. their
   4. its
3. Neither John nor his friends finished ______ homework.
   1. his
   2. their
   3. its
   4. her
4. The dog wagged ______ tail excitedly.
   1. his
   2. her
   3. its
   4. their
5. The students enjoyed ______ field trip to the museum.
   1. his
   2. her
   3. its
   4. their
6. Mary and Tom went to ______ favorite restaurant.
   1. his
   2. her
   3. its
   4. their
7. Each of the girls brought ______ own book to read.
   1. his
   2. her
   3. their
   4. its