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Activity 4.11
Lesson: Pronoun–Antecedent Agreement Learning Target
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Pronoun–Antecedent Agreement
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns or other pronouns and refer to people, places, things, and ideas. The words they take the place of or refer to are called the pronouns’ antecedents. Pronouns should agree with (have the same gender and number as) their antecedents. Pronouns can be masculine (and refer to male persons or animals), feminine (and refer to female persons or animals), or neuter (and refer to things or to people or animals of unspecified gender).
Each boy should have his calendar. [The pronoun his refers to the antecedent boy. Both the pronoun and its antecedent are singular and masculine, so they agree.]
Each girl should have her calendar. [The pronoun her refers to the antecedent girl. Both the pronoun and its antecedent are singular and feminine, so they agree.]
All students should have their calendars. [The pronoun their refers to the antecedent students. Both the pronoun and its antecedent are plural and neuter, so they agree.]
Clear Reference
Make sure that it is clear whom or what a pronoun refers to. Sometimes you will need to rewrite a sentence to make the sentence clear.
Unclear: After Ms. Cox talked to Angelica, she decided to try out a new idea. [Who decided?] Clear: Ms. Cox decided to try out a new idea after she talked to Angelica.
Clear: Angelica decided to try out a new idea after she talked to Ms. Cox.
Unclear: Trevor makes beautiful artwork. They are amazing. [What does they refer to?] Clear: Trevor makes amazing, beautiful artwork.
Clear: Trevor is amazing; he makes beautiful artwork.
Grammar Activities • Unit 4 3
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