Pronouns & Antecedents

Pronouns and Antecedents

NOUNS:

• Identify common and proper nouns CODE: ERT

• Form and use plurals of nouns ending in f, fe, o, and y CODE: 3C6

• Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns CODE: PMQ

PRONOUNS:

• Use possessive pronouns CODE:N82

• Choose between personal and reflexive pronouns CODE: A5T

• Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that CODE: R6F

PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS:

• Identify pronouns and their antecedents CODE: 5AR

• Use the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent CODE: EXW

NOUN: a word that generally functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, or ideas.

PRONOUN: a word that stands in for a noun, often to avoid the need to repeat the same noun over and over. Like nouns, pronouns can refer to people, things, concepts, and places.

PRONOUN: a word that stands in for a noun, often to avoid the need to repeat the same noun over and over. Like nouns, pronouns can refer to people, things, concepts, and places.

​Let's look at some examples:

• It runs on gas.

• They are running late for their HiSET appointment.

• We did not want to drive in the rain this morning.

ANTECEDENT: a phrase, word, or clause indicated by a pronoun

​Take a look at these two sentences:

• He needs to go outside

• The dog's been barking for hours—he needs to go outside.”

A few tips:

• A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender, and person

  • If the antecedent is singular, use a singular pronoun. If it is plural, use a plural pronoun.

  • EX: Because this dollhouse is almost 300 years old, it is historically important.

  • EX: The furnishings are noticeably different from their modern counterparts.

A few tips:

• Keep an eye out for multiple subjects

  • EX: The tiny chest and dresser still have their original hardware.

A few tips:

• A pronoun that refers to nouns or pronouns joined by or or nor should agree with the noun or pronoun nearest to it.

  • EX: Neither the astronauts nor NASA neglected its duties.

  • Neither NASA nor the astronauts neglected their duties.

A few tips:

• A collective noun such as class, crew, team, audience, or family may be referred to by either a singular or a plural pronoun, depending upon the meaning of the noun in the sentence.

  • The pronoun of a collective noun should be singular if the collective noun names a group acting as a unit.

    • EX: The family that owns the house loaned its treasure to the library

  • The pronoun of a collective noun should be plural if the collective noun names the members or parts of a group acting individually.

    • EX: The family wanted their friends to see the house.

Let's practice!

Directions: In each sentence underline once the personal pronoun and underline twice its antecedent

1. As a child, Aunt Livia often played with her dollhouse.

2. In the 1500s, dollhouse owners used the dollhouses to show off their wealth.

3. The dollhouses were made to imitate their owners’ homes.

4. In one place, a rich woman could show visitors how beautifully her whole house was decorated.

Let's practice!

Directions: In each sentence underline once the personal pronoun and underline twice its antecedent

1. The man of the house could give guests an idea of treasures he kept in storage.

2. These houses were not small; some of them were six feet high.

3. Dutch merchants made their dollhouses much smaller.