Pronouns and Antecedents Review

Rule 1: Use a plural pronoun to refer to two or more antecedents joined by and.

Examples:

• Toby and Nell might share their picnic lunches with us if we ask nicely.

• Every night after dinner, my brother and I clear the table before anyone asks us to.

Rule 2: Use a singular pronoun to refer to two or more singular antecedents joined by or or nor.

Examples:

• Neither Gary nor Paul has completed his research project.

• Claire or Suzi promised to come by and lend me her notes for our civics test.

Multiple Choice

The dogs and puppies have responded well to ____ trainers.

• their

• his

Multiple Choice

On Wednesday, will Jarod or Roger deliver mail for those of us on ____ route?

• their

• his

Multiple Choice

Neither Belle nor her sister could go to the movie ____ was wanting to see.

• she

• they

Multiple Choice

Uncle Jake and Grandpa proved to us that ____ know how to play checkers.

• they

• he

Multiple Choice

Don't forget your shovel and pail; you'll find ____ essential for seashell hunting.

• them

• it

Multiple Choice

I can hardly wait to see whether Paula or LaShonda wears ____ new dress tonight.

• her

• their

Multiple Choice

Room and board is included as long as you pay for ____ in advance.

• it

• them

Rule 3A: Use a singular pronoun to refer to a singular indefinite pronoun.

Examples:

• Each of the women on the team has improved her batting average.

• Everyone in the boys' choir must learn his part.

Rule 3B: Use a plural pronoun to refer to a plural indefinite pronoun.

Examples:

• Some of the computer viruses do their damage slowly.

• Several girls are wearing their uniforms.

Rule 3C: The indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, none, and some may be singular or plural, depending on their meaning in a sentence.

Examples:

Some of the test is hard, isn't it?

Some of the questions are easy. I'll do them first.

Multiple Choice

Both of the trees are large enough to shade the ground around ____.

• it

• them

Multiple Choice

Many of those whom Craig entertains recognize ____ in his humor.

• himself

• themselves

Multiple Choice

Anyone who wants to join the women's choir should schedule ____ audition

• her

• their

Multiple Choice

Few in our town wanted to miss seeing ____ team in the regional playoffs.

• his or her

• their

Multiple Choice

Did all of the applicants leave ____ business cards with my secretary?

• their

• his or her

Multiple Choice

One of the players left ____ basketball on the court.

• their

• her

Rule 4: A collective noun is singular when it refers to the group as a unit and plural when it refers to the individual members of the group.

Example:

• Each morning, the staff check their mail and announcement bulletins.

• The new woodwind ensemble is practicing now, and I am eager to go and hear them.

Rule 5: An expression of amount may be singular or plural depending on how it is used.

Examples:

• Fifteen hundred rocks made a sturdy wall when we stacked them securely.

• This glass holds eight ounces of cool lemonade; it is enough to be refreshing.

Rule 6: Singular pronouns are used to refer to some nouns that are plural in form.

Examples:

• Is the politics of today's party really different from that of twenty years ago?

• Mumps can be a dangerous illness, especially when an adult has it.

Multiple Choice

Which binoculars are being repaired, and when will ____ be ready?

• it

• they

Multiple Choice

Two or three dollars should cover the cost; have you got ____?

• it

• them

Multiple Choice

Has the committee selected ____ newest members yet?

• its

• their

Multiple Choice

My favorite class this term is economics because ____ helps me understand business and finance.

• they

• it

Multiple Choice

Since sixty-five percent of the students voted, ____ should be happy with the result.

• it

• they

Multiple Choice

Alyson bought new shorts for summer camp but forgot to take half of ____ with her.

• them

• it

Multiple Choice

If you put four fifths of those raisins into the dough, you might as well add ____ all.

• them

• it

Multiple Choice

Without a leader, a herd of horses or cattle usually will wander about ____ range.

• its

• their