Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Test Questions and Explanations

🧠 Quick Study Guide: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

• 🔍 Definition: A pronoun (like he, she, it, they) must agree with its antecedent (the noun it replaces) in number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine/neuter).
• 🔢 Singular Antecedents: Use singular pronouns. Examples: "Each student submitted his or her essay." "The dog wagged its tail."
• ➕ Plural Antecedents: Use plural pronouns. Examples: "The students submitted their essays." "Dogs wag their tails."
• ❓ Indefinite Pronouns: Words like "everyone," "anyone," "somebody," "each," "either," "neither," "none" are generally singular and take singular pronouns. Example: "Everyone brought his or her own lunch."
• 🤝 Compound Antecedents:
  • 🔗 Joined by "and": Usually plural. Example: "John and Mary finished their project."
  • ↔️ Joined by "or" or "nor": The pronoun agrees with the antecedent closest to it. Example: "Neither the principal nor the teachers brought their own snacks."
• 👥 Collective Nouns: Words like "team," "family," "committee" can be singular (acting as one unit) or plural (acting as individuals). Example: "The team celebrated its victory." (One unit). "The team put on their uniforms." (Individual members).
• ✍️ Gender Neutrality: To avoid "he or she," rephrase the sentence to use a plural antecedent, or repeat the noun if appropriate.

📝 Practice Quiz: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

1. Each of the students must bring _______ own laptop to the seminar.
A) their
B) his
C) her
D) his or her

2. Neither the coach nor the players remembered to bring _______ water bottles.
A) his
B) her
C) their
D) its

3. The committee finally reached _______ decision after hours of debate.
A) their
B) its
C) they're
D) it's

4. Every artist should display _______ best work at the exhibition.
A) their
B) his
C) her
D) his or her

5. Both the dog and the cat love to play with _______ toys.
A) its
B) their
C) his
D) her

6. If anyone calls, tell _______ I'll be back in an hour.
A) them
B) him
C) her
D) him or her

7. The group of tourists lost _______ way in the bustling market.
A) their
B) its
C) his
D) her