Understanding Antecedents and Pronouns

What is an antecedent in grammar?

• The word that follows a pronoun.

• The word (or words) that a pronoun refers to.

• A type of verb.

• A conjunction that connects two clauses.

The word "antecedent" comes from Latin and means what?

• To come after.

• To go before.

• To refer to.

• To agree with.

What grammatical form does an antecedent typically take?

• An adjective or adverb.

• A verb or verb phrase.

• A noun or noun phrase.

• A prepositional phrase.

Is it always true that an antecedent must appear before its pronoun in a sentence?

• Yes, always.

• No, sometimes the pronoun can come before the antecedent, especially in dependent clauses.

• Only if the sentence is very long.

• Only if the pronoun is plural.

When a phrase or clause comes between the subject and the verb, how does it affect the number of the antecedent?

• It always changes the antecedent to plural.

• It always changes the antecedent to singular.

• It does not change the number of the antecedent.

• It makes the antecedent agree with the object of the prepositional phrase.

In what aspects must a pronoun agree with its antecedent?

• Tense, mood, and voice.

• Number, gender, and person.

• Case, aspect, and voice.

• Subject, object, and possessive.

Which of the following words is a singular antecedent that requires a singular pronoun?

• Both

• Many

• Each

• Several

Why are "everybody" and "everyone" often mistakenly treated as plural antecedents?

• Because they refer to multiple people.

• Because they end with "body" or "one".

• Because they are always followed by a plural verb.

• Because they are collective nouns.

If two singular antecedents are joined by "or" or "nor", what type of pronoun is required?

• A plural pronoun.

• A singular pronoun.

• A pronoun that agrees with the closest antecedent.

• A pronoun that agrees with the first antecedent.

How do collective nouns determine whether to take a singular or plural pronoun?

• They always take a singular pronoun.

• They always take a plural pronoun.

• It depends on the meaning of the sentence and whether the group acts as a unit or as individuals.

• It depends on the length of the collective noun.