Pronoun-antecedent Worksheet With Answers Pdf

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Worksheets: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples and Answers

Finding reliable and comprehensive pronoun-antecedent agreement worksheets with answers can be challenging. This article aims to bridge that gap by providing a detailed explanation of pronoun-antecedent agreement, offering diverse worksheet examples with accompanying answers, and exploring common pitfalls to avoid. We'll cover various complexities to solidify your understanding and improve your grammar skills. This guide serves as a valuable resource for students, teachers, and anyone seeking to master this crucial aspect of English grammar.

Understanding Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun-antecedent agreement refers to the grammatical rule that requires a pronoun to match its antecedent in number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter). The antecedent is the noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to. A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun to avoid repetition.

For example: "The dog wagged its tail." Here, "dog" is the antecedent, and "its" is the pronoun. They both agree in being singular and neuter.

Common Errors and Challenges

Several scenarios can lead to pronoun-antecedent agreement errors. Let's examine some common difficulties:

• Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, group) can be tricky. They are singular when referring to the group as a single unit, but plural when referring to individual members.

  • Correct: "The team celebrated its victory." (Team as a unit)
  • Correct: "The team are arguing about their strategies." (Individual team members)

• Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone, anybody) are usually singular, even though they refer to multiple people.

  • Correct: "Everyone brought their lunch." (While debated, "their" is increasingly accepted as a singular gender-neutral option. "His or her" is also grammatically correct but can be cumbersome.)

• Compound Subjects: When two or more nouns are joined by "and," the pronoun is usually plural. However, if the nouns refer to the same person or thing, the pronoun is singular.

  • Correct: "My sister and I completed our homework." (Plural)
  • Correct: "The teacher and mentor gave his best advice." (Singular – referring to one person)

• Relative Pronouns: Relative pronouns (e.g., who, whom, which, that) agree with their antecedents in number.

  • Correct: "The students who aced the test received their awards." (Plural antecedent, "students")
  • Correct: "The book, which had many illustrations, was its own masterpiece." (Singular antecedent, "book")

• Intervening Phrases: Phrases or clauses between the antecedent and the pronoun do not affect agreement.

  • Correct: "The actor, along with his entourage, signed his autographs." (Singular antecedent, "actor")

Worksheet Examples and Answers

Let's delve into some pronoun-antecedent agreement worksheets with detailed answers. These examples cover the challenges discussed above and introduce additional complexities.

Worksheet 1: Basic Agreement

Instructions: Circle the correct pronoun in each sentence.

1. The cat licked (its/their) paw.
2. The birds built (its/their) nest in the tree.
3. Each student submitted (his/their) assignment.
4. The team played (its/their) best game.
5. Everyone needs to bring (his or her/their) own lunch.

Answers:

1. its
2. their
3. his or her (or their)
4. its
5. his or her (or their)

Worksheet 2: More Challenging Sentences

Instructions: Correct the pronoun-antecedent agreement errors in the following sentences.

1. The committee reached their decision unanimously.
2. Neither the boy nor the girls took their jackets inside.
3. Someone left their glasses on the table.
4. Everyone in the class brought their own books.
5. The dog, along with his puppies, chased their ball.

Answers:

1. The committee reached its decision unanimously.
2. Neither the boy nor the girls took their jackets inside. (Correct as is - it agrees with the nearest antecedent - girls)
3. Someone left his or her glasses on the table. (or their)
4. Everyone in the class brought his or her own books. (or their)
5. The dog, along with his puppies, chased its ball.

Worksheet 3: Identifying Antecedents

Instructions: Underline the antecedent for each pronoun in the following sentences.

1. The children played with their toys.
2. The car needs its oil changed.
3. The flowers bloomed in their colorful glory.
4. The band played its final song.
5. The teachers, along with their students, celebrated their success.

Answers:

1. The children played with their toys.
2. The car needs its oil changed.
3. The flowers bloomed in their colorful glory.
4. The band played its final song.
5. The teachers, along with their students, celebrated their success.

Worksheet 4: Mixed Practice

Instructions: Correct any pronoun-antecedent agreement errors in the following sentences.

1. The class completed their group project on time.
2. Neither Sarah nor her friends brought their lunch.
3. The flock of geese honked loudly as it flew south.
4. My friend and I went to the store to buy their groceries.
5. Everybody should try their best.
6. The jury gave its verdict.
7. The committee members presented their findings to the president.
8. No one brought their homework to class.
9. Either the cat or the dogs are leaving their hair all over the furniture.
10. The family enjoyed their vacation in Florida.

Answers:

1. The class completed its group project on time.
2. Neither Sarah nor her friends brought their lunch. (Correct)
3. The flock of geese honked loudly as it flew south.
4. My friend and I went to the store to buy our groceries.
5. Everybody should try his or her best. (or their)
6. The jury gave its verdict.
7. The committee members presented their findings to the president.
8. No one brought his or her homework to class. (or their)
9. Either the cat or the dogs are leaving their hair all over the furniture. (Correct)
10. The family enjoyed their vacation in Florida.

Advanced Considerations

• Gender-Neutral Pronouns: The use of gender-neutral pronouns (like they, them, their) is increasingly accepted, particularly when the gender of the antecedent is unknown or irrelevant. However, some style guides still prefer "he or she" or other alternatives in formal writing. The best approach depends on the context and audience.

• Ambiguous Antecedents: Avoid sentences with ambiguous antecedents—that is, sentences where it's unclear which noun a pronoun refers to. Reword the sentence for clarity.

Conclusion

Mastering pronoun-antecedent agreement is essential for clear and effective writing. By understanding the rules and practicing with various examples, you can significantly improve your grammar skills. The worksheets provided, along with the detailed explanations, offer a solid foundation for mastering this aspect of English grammar. Remember, consistent practice is key to achieving proficiency. Continue to review these concepts and apply them in your own writing to solidify your understanding and improve your writing abilities. Remember to always consider your audience and context when deciding on pronoun usage.