Pronouns

Which of the following sentences shows correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?

• Neither the dog nor the cats finished its food.

• Neither the dog nor the cats finished their food.

• Neither the cats nor the dog finished their food.

• Neither the cats nor the dog finished its' food.

Answer explanation

When antecedents are joined by 'nor', the pronoun agrees with the antecedent closer to it. 'Dog' is singular, so the correct pronoun is 'its'.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Complete the sentence with the word that ensures proper pronoun-antecedent agreement: Each of the team members must submit _____ report by noon.

• their

• his or her

• our

• theirs

Answer explanation

The indefinite pronoun 'Each' is singular. Therefore, it requires a singular possessive pronoun, 'his or her', for agreement.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Complete the sentence with the phrase that maintains proper agreement: The pack of wolves, a powerful and cohesive unit, protects _____ territory fiercely.

• its

• their

• it's

• theirs

Answer explanation

The antecedent is 'pack', which is a singular collective noun. Therefore, the singular possessive pronoun 'its' is required for agreement.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Which sentence contains a vague pronoun reference, making its meaning unclear?

• When Liam saw his dad, he waved.

• The book that I borrowed is on the table.

• Maria loves playing soccer because it is a team sport.

• After the dog chased the cat, the cat climbed a tree.

Answer explanation

The pronoun 'he' is vague because it is unclear whether Liam waved or his dad waved. The other sentences have clear pronoun antecedents.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Read the sentence: 'Before the students took the test, the teacher handed them out.' Which revision makes the meaning of the pronoun clearest?

• The teacher handed them out before the students took the test.

• Before the test, the teacher handed out the papers to the students.

• Before they took it, the teacher handed them out.

• The teacher, before the students took the test, handed them out.

Answer explanation

This revision clarifies what 'them' refers to by replacing the vague pronoun with the specific noun 'the papers', eliminating ambiguity.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Read the passage: 'The laptop and the backpack were left in the car. It was later stolen.' True or False: In the second sentence, the pronoun 'It' clearly refers to the laptop.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is false. The pronoun 'It' is ambiguous because it could refer to the laptop, the backpack, or the car. The antecedent is unclear.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Complete the sentence to avoid an inappropriate shift in person: If a student wants to succeed, _____ must be willing to work hard.

• you

• he or she

• we

• they

Answer explanation

The sentence begins in the third person ('a student'). To maintain consistency, the third-person pronoun 'he or she' is the correct choice. 'You' would be an incorrect shift to the second person.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1D

CCSS.L.3.1A

Which sentence correctly uses both a subjective case pronoun and an objective case pronoun?

• Her and I are working on a project for Mr. Davis and she.

• She and I are working on a project for Mr. Davis and her.

• Her and me are working on a project for Mr. Davis and she.

• She and me are working on a project for Mr. Davis and her.

Answer explanation

'She and I' are the compound subject, requiring subjective case pronouns. 'Her' is the object of the preposition 'for', requiring the objective case pronoun.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

Apply the grammar rule for pronouns as objects of a preposition to complete this sentence: The coach gave the trophies to Kevin and _____.

• I

• me

• myself

• my

Answer explanation

Pronouns that are objects of a preposition (like 'to') must be in the objective case. 'Me' is the objective case form of 'I'.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Choose the option that correctly combines these two sentences using a relative pronoun: 'The pizza just arrived. I ordered the pizza an hour ago.'

• The pizza, that I ordered an hour ago, just arrived.

• The pizza which I ordered an hour ago just arrived.

• The pizza who I ordered an hour ago just arrived.

• The pizza, I ordered it an hour ago, just arrived.

Answer explanation

The relative pronoun 'which' is used to introduce a non-restrictive clause providing additional information about the pizza. 'That' is typically for restrictive clauses, and 'who' is for people.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.4.1A