Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

1. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Practice! First, identify which rule you need to use in order to come up with the right answer Next, write the full sentence using only the correct pronoun

2. 5 points Almost anybody who has worked with wood would say that woodworking soothes (his or her, their) spirit. The “always singular” rule “Anybody” is always singular

3. 5 points Each of the Hopi Indian fathers carved (his, their) daughter a kachina doll from cottonwood root. The “always singular” rule “Each” is always singular

4. 5 points Every one of the Iroquois carvers used basswood for (his or her, their) healing ritual mask. The “always singular” rule “Every” is always singular

5. 5 points One of the wooden masks from the Pacific Northwest shows by (its, their) detail the customs of the tribe. The “always singular” rule “One” is always singular

6. 8 points A reporter talked to Mrs. Bea Zwack after (her, their) home was struck by a tornado. Agree in Gender & Number

7. 3 points Jack Zwack spent most of (his, their) time cleaning up the yard. Agree in Gender & Number

8. 5 points Nick, Mack, and Patty Zwack are staying with (his or her, their) neighbors for the time being. The “And” Rule

9. 5 points The Zwacks now have a healthy respect for tornadoes and (its, their) power. Agree in Number The antecedent is “tornadoes,” and “tornadoes” is plural.

10. 3 points The reporter finally submitted (her, their) assignment to the editor of the paper. Agree in Number The antecedent is “the reporter,” which is singular, so you must choose the singular pronoun option.

11. 5 points The newspaper featured tornadoes on (its, their) front page. Agree in Number –or – Collective nouns The antecedent is “the newspaper,” which is one thing (or one organization), so you must choose the singular pronoun option.

12. 3 points Subscribers that read the story and saw the pictures realize that (he or she, they) could have been the victims of the storm. Agree in Number The antecedent is “subscribers,” and “subscribers” is plural.

13. 5 points A mature person is responsible for (his or her, their) actions. Agree in Number The antecedent is “a mature person,” which is singular.

14. 5 points The detective told (his or her, their) chief that (he or she, they) had caught the criminal. Agree in Number The antecedent is “the detective,” which is singular.

15. 3 points Each of the Olympic champions proudly wore (his, their) medal. The “always singular” rule “Each” is always singular

16. 8 points Either the professional craftsmen or the amateur woodworkers enjoyed working with (his or her, their) hands. The “Or/Nor” rule The “either ____ or ____” construction follows the Or/Nor rule, meaning the pronoun must agree with the noun closest to the verb. In this case, you would choose a pronoun to agree with “woodworkers.”

17. 5 points Each of my sisters has tried (her, their) hand at whittling. The “always singular” rule “Each” is always singular

18. 5 points Neither cut (herself, themselves). The “always singular” rule “Neither” is always singular

19. 5 points Everybody used to buy (his or her, their) tobacco at the store with the carved wooden Native American in front. The “always singular” rule “Everybody” is always singular

20. 5 points Anybody who likes (his or her, their) home uncluttered with detail would appreciate the simple wooden furniture made by the Quakers. The “always singular” rule “Anybody” is always singular

21. 5 points Everyone, including Queen Victoria, wished (he or she, they) could own the fancy Victorian furniture painstakingly carved by William Bartels. The “always singular” rule “Everyone” is always singular