Who/Whom & Antecedents

During rehearsal for a play, an actor may forget _______ lines.

• his or her

• their

Answer explanation

The correct option is "his or her."

• The subject of the sentence, "an actor," is singular, so the pronoun must also be singular.

• "His or her" is a singular pronoun phrase that accommodates both male and female actors.

• "Their" is a plural pronoun and would not agree with the singular antecedent "an actor."

So, the sentence should read:
"During early rehearsals, an actor may forget his or her lines."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

If your sisters need a ride, _______ can call me.

• she

• they

Answer explanation

The correct option is "they."

• The antecedent is "your sisters," which is plural, so the pronoun must also be plural.

• "They" is the correct plural pronoun that agrees with the plural noun "sisters."

• "She" is singular and would not match the plural antecedent.

So, the sentence should read:
"If your sisters need a ride, they can call me."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

The company had ______ books audited by the IRS.

• its

• their

Answer explanation

The correct option is "its."

• The antecedent is "the company," which is singular, so the pronoun must also be singular.

• "Its" is the singular pronoun that agrees with "the company."

• "Their" is plural and would not match the singular antecedent.

So, the sentence should read:
"The company had its books audited."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

1. The committee members put _____ signatures on the document. 

• its

• their

Answer explanation

The correct option is "their."

• The antecedent is "the committee members," which is plural, so the pronoun must also be plural.

• "Their" is the correct plural pronoun that agrees with "the committee members."

• "Its" is singular and would not match the plural antecedent.

So, the sentence should read:
"The committee members put their signatures on the document."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

6. Our varsity cheerleading squad is being measured for _____ uniforms. 

• its

• their

Answer explanation

The correct option is "its."

• The antecedent is "our varsity cheerleading squad," which is singular, as a squad is treated as a collective singular noun.

• "Its" is the singular pronoun that agrees with "squad."

• "Their" is plural and would not match the singular antecedent.

So, the sentence should read:
"Our varsity cheerleading squad is being measured for its uniforms."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

6. The jury members make _____ decisions based on evidence and testimony, not on hearsay. 

• its

• their

Answer explanation

The correct option is "their."

• The antecedent is "the jury members," which is plural, so the pronoun must also be plural.

• "Their" is the correct plural pronoun that agrees with "the jury members."

• "Its" is singular and would not match the plural antecedent.

So, the sentence should read:
"The jury members make their decisions based on evidence and testimony, not on hearsay."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

The swim team travels to _____ tournament today at 3PM.

• its

• there

Answer explanation

The correct option is "its."

• The antecedent is "the swim team," which is singular and treated as a collective noun.

• "Its" is the singular pronoun that agrees with "the swim team."

• "Their" is plural and would not match the singular antecedent.

So, the sentence should read:
"The swim team travels to its tournament today at 3 PM."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Each student has studied _____ notes quite a bit before the quiz today.

• his or her

• their

Answer explanation

The correct option is "his or her."

• The antecedent is "each student," which is singular, so the pronoun must also be singular.

• "His or her" is the singular pronoun phrase that agrees with "each student."

• "Their" is plural and would not match the singular antecedent.

So, the sentence should read:
"Each student has studied his or her notes quite a bit before the quiz today."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

All of the teams will carry _____ own luggage.

• his or her

• their

Answer explanation

The correct option is "their."

• The antecedent is "all of the teams," which is plural, so the pronoun must also be plural.

• "Their" is the correct plural pronoun that agrees with "all of the teams."

• "His or her" is singular and would not match the plural antecedent.

So, the sentence should read:
"All of the teams will carry their own luggage."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

Has everyone brought _____ computer to class today?

• his or her

• their

Answer explanation

The correct option is "his or her."

• The antecedent is "everyone," which is singular, so the pronoun must also be singular.

• "His or her" is the singular pronoun phrase that agrees with "everyone."

• "Their" is plural and would not match the singular antecedent.

So, the sentence should read:
"Has everyone brought his or her computer to class today?"

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1