Pronouns and Antecedents

Pronouns and Antecedents

An antecedent is the noun to which a pronoun refers.

• Since pronouns replace nouns, pronouns and antecedents must agree in person, number, and gender (case may vary, depending how the pronoun is used in the sentence).

• Ex. President Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address in 1863.

• Ex. Jones and Smith made their presentation.

You should be careful to avoid writing sentences with vague antecedents, or sentences where antecedents aren’t provided at all. In paragraphs, antecedents are sometimes found in previous sentences.

• Ex. I talked to Sarah and Michelle, and she will be coming for dinner.

• Ex. The supervisors told the workers that they would receive a bonus.

• Ex. Although John was wealthy, he made poor use of it.

Select the correct pronoun to agree with the underlined antecedent.

Multiple Choice

Brookelyn likes chocolate because ____ is delicious.

• they

• she

• it

• you

Multiple Choice

The students missed recess because ____ didn't listen carefully in class to the teacher.

• He

• They

• It

• She

Multiple Choice

Max silenced his phone because ____ was too loud.

• he

• I

• you

• it

Multiple Choice

The teachers eat lunch together because ____ want to.

• they

• he

• you

• I

Multiple Choice

When Jessica won the talent contest, her friends cheered for ____.

• me

• you

• them

• her

Identify the antecedent that agrees with the underlined pronoun.

Multiple Choice

Aden and Jamie didn't like the questions on the test because they were very difficult.

• Aden and Jamie

• questions

• test

• difficult

Multiple Choice

Nadia doesn't have a car, so I gave her a ride to the airport.

• I

• ride

• Nadia

• airport

Multiple Choice

Meapeh chose the gift, and Sasha wrapped it in blue paper.

• gift

• Meapeh

• Sasha

• paper

Multiple Choice

I dyed my hair and cut it short, so many of my friends didn't recognize me.

• hair

• short

• friends

• I

Multiple Choice

Lauren went home from work early because she wasn't feeling well.

• home

• Lauren

• work

• well