PSAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
That university is particularly known for their strong film program and dedication to the creative arts. No error
to
dedication
their
No error
is
their
This sentence contains a discrepancy in agreement of plurals. "University" is a singular noun, not a plural noun, so the correct possessive pronoun should be "its," not "their."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite their propensity to frighten young children, the garden snake is actually quite harmless. No error
is
their
quite harmless
No error
to frighten
their
The plural pronoun "their" refers to the singular noun "the garden snake". These should agree in number. Changing "their" to "its" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Despite its propensity to frighten young children, the garden snake is actually quite harmless."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The department received most of their funding from private donors who were interested in the research. No error
their
received
interested in
No error
who were
their
The pronoun "their" should refer to a plural noun, but here it refers to the singular noun "department". A singular pronoun should be used: "The department received most of its funding from private donors who were interested in the research."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although John was excited to meet his new teacher, he was also nervous because he didn't know what their instruction style would be like. No error
Although
No error
excited to meet
he didn't know
their
their
Although the gender of the teacher is not specified, "teacher" is still singular. Therefore, the plural possessive pronoun "their" should not be used. Rather than using "their," the sentence should say "his or her."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The schools in that area have always been known for its strong academics, athletic program, and up-to-date facilities. No error
No error
and
its
have
been known
its
The subject of the sentence is "schools," a plural noun. So, one should not use "its," a singular possessive pronoun, to refer to "schools," a plural noun. Replacing "its" with "their" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The mayor has often proposed reductions in the sales tax because shoppers can benefit from this whenever they shop. No error
has often proposed
because
this
whenever
No error
this
Pronouns and their antecedents must agree. In this sentence, "reductions" is plural, while "this" is singular, so "this" contains the sentence's error.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite their excellent reputation for successful rebranding projects, the marketing agency was seeing a significant decline in the number of interested clients. No error
their
was seeing
reputation for
No error
decline in the number
their
In this sentence, the plural pronoun “their” does not match the singular noun it refers to, “the marketing agency.” The corrected sentence reads: "Despite its excellent reputation for successful rebranding projects, the marketing agency was seeing a significant decline in the number of interested clients."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Instead of accepting the aliens’ offer to take over, the humans rejected them and attempted vainly to fight back. No error
the aliens' offer
Instead of
them
vainly
No error
them
This sentence has a disagreement between a pronoun and its antecedent. The “offer” is singular and “them” is plural. The corrected sentence reads, "Instead of accepting the aliens’ offer to take over, the humans rejected it and attempted vainly to fight back."
Example Question #11 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When he saw the perfect gift for his mom at the mall, he decided to buy it for them. No error
them
decided
at
When
No error
them
The antecedent of the word "them," a plural pronoun, is the word "mom," a singular noun. Pronouns need to match their antecedents' gender and number, so the singular feminine pronoun "her" should be used instead of the plural pronoun "them."
Example Question #12 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
New York and Los Angeles have experienced a cultural boom in the past decade, as its restaurant scenes have been booming with new talent. No error
cultural boom
No error
and
past decade
its
its
Given that the subject of the sentence is "New York and Los Angeles," which is plural, the pronoun "its" should also be plural. Therefore, "its" should be "their."
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