ACT English : Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Most books printed before the nineteenth century, even ones that have been carefully preserved, contain materials that cause it to decay.

Possible Answers:

that cause it to decay

that causes it to decay

that can cause it to decay

that cause them to decay

that causes them to decay

Correct answer:

that cause them to decay

Explanation:

The original text contains a pronoun agreement error. The intended antecedent of the pronoun "it" is supposed to be "books," which is plural and would therefore require the plural pronoun "them" instead of the singular pronoun "it."

The only answer choices that contain "them" instead of "it" are "that cause them to decay" and "that causes them to decay." The answer choice with "causes," however, uses this singular verb with a plural subject, "materials," and is therefore incorrect.

Example Question #11 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The community is currently accepting nominations for the award, which will be given to the person who has most significantly transformed the world through their charitable actions or scientific discoveries.

Possible Answers:

the person who most significantly transformed the world through their charitable actions or scientific discoveries.

the person that significantly transformed the world through his or her charitable actions or scientific discoveries.

the person who has most significantly transformed the world through his or her charitable actions or scientific discoveries.

the person that has most significantly transformed the world through his or her charitable actions or scientific discoveries.

the person who has most significantly transformed the world through their charitable actions or scientific discoveries.

Correct answer:

the person who has most significantly transformed the world through his or her charitable actions or scientific discoveries.

Explanation:

The original text "the person who has most significantly transformed the world through their charitable actions or scientific discoveries" and the answer choice "the person who most significantly transformed the world through their charitable actions or scientific discoveries" contain pronoun agreement errors because they incorrectly use the plural pronoun "their" to refer to the singular noun "person."

The answer choices "the person that has most significantly transformed the world through his or her charitable actions or scientific discoveries" and "the person that significantly transformed the world through his or her charitable actions or scientific discoveries" are incorrect because they use "that" to refer to a person, when "who" or "whom" should be used when referring to a person. (Remember to use "that" only when referring to non-human living things or objects.)

The answer choice "the person who has most significantly transformed the world through his or her charitable actions or scientific discoveries" is correct because it is the only answer choice that correctly uses "who" and the singular pronoun "his or her" to match the singular noun "person."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Mitchell was one of the first members of corporate to realize that employees are most productive when he or she feels to be part of a team.

Possible Answers:

they feel as if they are part of a team

he or she feels to be part of a team

it's more like a team for them

feeling part of a team is made possible

he or she feels part of a team

Correct answer:

they feel as if they are part of a team

Explanation:

The pronoun refers to employees, so the pronoun should be plural rather than the singular he or she.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The loss of a parent at a young age can traumatize a person for the rest of your life.

Possible Answers:

for the rest of yourself's life.

on the rest of your life.

for the rest of your living.

for the rest of your life.

for the rest of his or her life.

Correct answer:

for the rest of his or her life.

Explanation:

The use of "your" at the end of the sentence is confusing, as the only reference in the sentence is "a person," and the second person pronoun has no place in the sentence. Changing "your" to a third person possessive pronoun will straighten out this problem. Because we do not know whether the "person" in question is male or female, we should use the phrase "his or her." The correct answer choice, therefore, is "for the rest of his or her life."

Example Question #18 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The rites of ancient Roman religion are nearly impossible to recreate centuries after it was no longer an active faith.

Possible Answers:

after it was not an active faith.

after the faith not being active.

after the faith was no longer active.

after it was no longer an active faith.

after it was no longer active as a faith.

Correct answer:

after the faith was no longer active.

Explanation:

The phrase as written in the underlined portion makes an odd reference. The subject of the sentence are the "rites," and not the religion. The faith needs to be specifically referenced, as well as being fully grammatically correct; therefore, "after the faith was no longer active" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #21 : Pronoun Antecedent Number Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Even though the army used every weapon at their disposal, the enemy was still able to make it into the base.

Possible Answers:

Even if the army used every weapon at their disposal

Even though the army used every weapon at their disposal

Even though the army used every weapons at their disposal

Even though the army used every weapon at its disposal

Even though the army uses every weapon at their disposal

Correct answer:

Even though the army used every weapon at its disposal

Explanation:

The plural possessive pronoun "their" does not agree with its singular subject, "the army." Even though "the army" represents a group of people, it is a singular noun, and should consequently be modified by the pronoun "its."

Example Question #31 : Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

That players are the best on the team today.

Possible Answers:

They're

That's

Those

No Change

Correct answer:

Those

Explanation:

"That" is singular and "players" is plural, so you need the plural form "those" in order for the pronoun and antecedent to match in number.

Example Question #32 : Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Last year, one of my favorite Broadway shows were Les Miserables.

Possible Answers:

shows was

show was

show were

shows they were

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

shows was

Explanation:

The subject is singular, even though the word "shows" is plural-the only show that is being referred to is "one of" the favorites so you need the singular pronoun "was" instead of the plural pronoun "were" and the word "shows" remains plural because you are selecting one (Les Miserables) from a group.

Example Question #33 : Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Somebody left their phone on the table at the restaurant.

Possible Answers:

left its phone

NO CHANGE

had left their phone

left his or her phone

left they're phone

Correct answer:

left his or her phone

Explanation:

"Somebody" is a singular indefinite pronoun so it needs the singular "his or her." "Their" is a plural pronoun.

Example Question #34 : Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

When a person does not agree with what their teacher is saying, she should express her opinion respectfully.

Possible Answers:

what they're teacher is saying

NO CHANGE

what her teacher is saying,

what there teacher is saying

what is being said by their teacher

Correct answer:

what her teacher is saying,

Explanation:

The pronoun "she" in the second part of the sentence is singular so it needs the singular "her" instead of "their" in the first part of the sentence.  Don't be thrown off by the alternate spellings of "their!"  "Their" is actually the correct spelling for the possessive form of they, but you need a singular pronoun here.

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