Antecedents & Clarity
Why must a pronoun have a clear antecedent in a sentence?
So the reader knows exactly which noun the pronoun is replacing and avoids confusion.
Identify the antecedent of them:
Please organize the folders before placing them in the cabinet.
the folders
What are the three categories that make up the “Big Three” rules?
Person, Number, Gender
Which word causes the error?
Marcus forgot her lunch at home.
BONUS 100: What is the property that is in error with this pronoun?
her
BONUS: gender
Choose the correct pronoun and explain why:
The company updated ___ policy last year.
its — company is singular and non-human.
Identify the antecedent of it:
The glass shattered when it fell off the counter.
the glass
Identify the antecedent of they:
After the band members played the final note, they bowed to the audience.
the band members
Identify the person, number, and gender of yours:
Are these shoes yours?
Person: 2nd
Number: Singular or plural (depends on context)
Gender: Neutral
What is the error in this sentence?
The players finished the game, and he was exhausted.
Number mismatch (plural players, singular he)
Choose the correct pronoun:
Sam and I completed the assignment. The teacher praised ___.
us
Why is this sentence unclear?
When he walked in, the teacher and the principal stopped talking.
We don't know who "he" is referring.
Identify the antecedent of his:
The coach congratulated the athlete after his performance.
the athlete
Which Big Three rule is violated?
The jury has reached their decision.
Number (jury is singular; their is plural)
Fix the sentence and name the rule broken:
The tree dropped their leaves in October.
Correction: The tree dropped its leaves in October.
Rule: Number
Identify the antecedent of them:
If the instructions confuse you, read them again carefully.
the instructions
Rewrite this sentence to clarify the antecedent:
After they finished, the students thanked the teachers.
After the students finished, they thanked the teachers.
OR
After the teachers finished, the students thanked them.
Identify the antecedent of it:
The truck struck the fence, and it collapsed immediately.
the fence
Explain why this sentence is incorrect and identify the rule violated:
If someone wants to succeed, you must work hard.
Person error — someone is third person, but you is second person.
Fix the sentence and explain the error:
My sister and me are responsible for the project.
Correction: My sister and I are responsible for the project.
Error: Case (subject pronoun needed)
Rewrite to eliminate ambiguity:
When they arrived late, the coaches scolded the players.
When the players arrived late, the coaches scolded them.
Explain what makes this sentence grammatically correct but still confusing:
When the dog chased the cat, it ran under the fence.
The pronoun it agrees grammatically, but it is unclear whether it refers to the dog or the cat.
Identify the antecedent of they in the following sentence and explain your reasoning:
When the counselors spoke to the students after the assembly, they were upset about the behavior.
Antecedent: the counselors
Explanation:
The counselors are the ones who would logically be upset about the behavior. The students are the ones whose behavior caused the problem, not the ones reacting to it.
Explain the error below, and correct it.
Each student must submit their assignment online.
Number mismatch - their is plural, each student is singular
Each student must submit his or her assignment online.
Identify two errors and rewrite correctly:
When the class finished their test, he were relieved.
Errors:
Number (class vs. their)
Number/verb agreement (he were)
Correction:
When the class finished its test, it was relieved
Rewrite the sentence so every pronoun has a clear antecedent:
After the committee spoke to the managers, they said it needed improvement.
After the committee spoke to the managers, the managers said the proposal needed improvement.