Pronoun antecedent agreement is a crucial aspect of the English language that helps to ensure clarity in communication. It is a rule which states that a pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number (singular or plural), gender, and person. For example, if the antecedent is singular, the pronoun used to refer to it must also be singular. If the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural. In this article, we will explore some exercises that can help you master this important grammar rule.
Exercise 1: Identify the Pronoun Antecedent
In this exercise, you will need to identify the pronoun antecedent and determine whether the pronoun agrees with its antecedent in number, gender, and person.
Example: John went to the store, and he bought some groceries.
Pronoun: he
Antecedent: John
Agreement: Correct
Exercise 2: Correct the Pronoun Agreement
In this exercise, you will need to correct the pronoun agreement to make it agree with its antecedent.
Example: The girls went to the park, and they played on the swings.
Pronoun: they
Antecedent: girls
Agreement: Correct
Example: The boy went to the store, and they bought some groceries.
Pronoun: they
Antecedent: boy
Agreement: Incorrect
Corrected: The boy went to the store, and he bought some groceries.
Exercise 3: Write Sentences with Correct Pronoun Agreement
In this exercise, you will need to write sentences with correct pronoun agreement.
Example: The dog chased the cat, and _____ caught _____.
Corrected: The dog chased the cat, and he caught her.
Example: The team won the game, and _____ celebrated _____ victory.
Corrected: The team won the game, and they celebrated their victory.
Exercise 4: Correct Pronoun Agreement in Paragraphs
In this exercise, you will need to correct pronoun agreement in a paragraph.
Example:
Maria and her friend went to the mall to buy clothes. When they arrived, they went to different stores to search for their favorite outfits. Maria found a beautiful dress, but they didn`t have her size. She was disappointed but continued to look for another dress. Finally, she found one that she loved, and they bought it.
Pronoun: they
Antecedent: stores
Agreement: Incorrect
Corrected: Maria and her friend went to the mall to buy clothes. When they arrived, they went to different stores to search for their favorite outfits. Maria found a beautiful dress, but the store didn`t have her size. She was disappointed but continued to look for another dress. Finally, she found one that she loved, and she bought it.
Conclusion
Knowing how to use pronouns correctly is essential to effective communication. These exercises on pronoun antecedent agreement can help you build your understanding and mastery of this vital grammar rule. By practicing these exercises regularly, you can improve your writing and ensure your messages are clear and concise.