Correcting Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Errors - GMAT Verbal
Card 1 of 88
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.
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.
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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needs to be specifically referenced, as well as being fully grammatically correct; therefore, "after the faith was no longer active" is the correct answer choice.
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needs to be specifically referenced, as well as being fully grammatically correct; therefore, "after the faith was no longer active" is the correct answer choice.
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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.
In addition to helping the environment, renewable resources—such as solar power and hydroelectricity—may also provide an economic benefit, as it may reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
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.
In addition to helping the environment, renewable resources—such as solar power and hydroelectricity—may also provide an economic benefit, as it may reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
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The pronoun "it" should be plural because its antecedent is the plural subject "resources." Only two choices correcty change "it" to "they," but one of them, "as they depend on the reduction of foreign oil," confuses cause and effect. The resources are not dependent on the reduction of foreign oil. The correct answer is "as they may reduce our dependence on foreign oil."
The pronoun "it" should be plural because its antecedent is the plural subject "resources." Only two choices correcty change "it" to "they," but one of them, "as they depend on the reduction of foreign oil," confuses cause and effect. The resources are not dependent on the reduction of foreign oil. The correct answer is "as they may reduce our dependence on foreign oil."
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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.
Although the basketball team used their star players, the match was lost.
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.
Although the basketball team used their star players, the match was lost.
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Choose a pronoun that properly agrees with the subject. In this case, "basketball team" is singular, although it represents a group of people, and should be accompanied with "its," instead of "their."
Choose a pronoun that properly agrees with the subject. In this case, "basketball team" is singular, although it represents a group of people, and should be accompanied with "its," instead of "their."
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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.
Just as they finished work for the day, the worker found his lost green helmet and made his way home happily.
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.
Just as they finished work for the day, the worker found his lost green helmet and made his way home happily.
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The original sentence contains an error in noun-pronoun agreement: the plural possessive pronoun "their" is used to refer to "the worker," a singular noun. We need to use a singular possessive pronoun to refer to a singular noun, and our choices in this case are "his," "her," and "its." One doesn't use "its" to refer to people, and while "the worker" is not a gendered noun, we can tell that the worker being described in the sentence is male because of the use of the possessive pronoun "his" in the phrases "his lost green helmet" and "made his way home happily." For the sentence to be correct, we need to replace "their" with "his," so the correct answer is "Just as he finished work for the day, the worker found his lost green helmet and made his way home happily."
The original sentence contains an error in noun-pronoun agreement: the plural possessive pronoun "their" is used to refer to "the worker," a singular noun. We need to use a singular possessive pronoun to refer to a singular noun, and our choices in this case are "his," "her," and "its." One doesn't use "its" to refer to people, and while "the worker" is not a gendered noun, we can tell that the worker being described in the sentence is male because of the use of the possessive pronoun "his" in the phrases "his lost green helmet" and "made his way home happily." For the sentence to be correct, we need to replace "their" with "his," so the correct answer is "Just as he finished work for the day, the worker found his lost green helmet and made his way home happily."
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Most men who go to sporting events find it an enjoyable diversion.
Most men who go to sporting events find it an enjoyable diversion.
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The sentence as written contains one small error. "It," a singular pronoun, is used to refer to the plural "sporting events." In order to fix this issue, the pronoun needs to be made plural, which is done in "Most men who go to sporting events find them an enjoyable diversion."
The sentence as written contains one small error. "It," a singular pronoun, is used to refer to the plural "sporting events." In order to fix this issue, the pronoun needs to be made plural, which is done in "Most men who go to sporting events find them an enjoyable diversion."
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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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
A student should always have access to their notes.
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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
A student should always have access to their notes.
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Whenever a sentence refers to a person of unknown gender and a singular possessive pronoun is required that refers to that person, one typically includes both the masculine and the feminine possessive pronouns in the phrase "his or her." In this case, "his or her" is a better choice than "their" because "student" is a singular noun, and "their," which is a plural pronoun, does not agree with it in number. Considering the other potential answer choices, "they're" is the contraction of "they are," which would not make sense in the sentence, "it's" is the contraction of "it is," which wouldn't make sense in the sentence either, and "its" is the possessive form of the pronoun "it," which is not used to refer to a person. So, none of those answer choices can be correct.
Whenever a sentence refers to a person of unknown gender and a singular possessive pronoun is required that refers to that person, one typically includes both the masculine and the feminine possessive pronouns in the phrase "his or her." In this case, "his or her" is a better choice than "their" because "student" is a singular noun, and "their," which is a plural pronoun, does not agree with it in number. Considering the other potential answer choices, "they're" is the contraction of "they are," which would not make sense in the sentence, "it's" is the contraction of "it is," which wouldn't make sense in the sentence either, and "its" is the possessive form of the pronoun "it," which is not used to refer to a person. So, none of those answer choices can be correct.
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While it can seem like a daunting task to train for a marathon, anyone who has completed the challenge knows that preparing a plan that they stick to is the key to success.
Identify the answer choice that best improves the underlined portion of the sentence.
While it can seem like a daunting task to train for a marathon, anyone who has completed the challenge knows that preparing a plan that they stick to is the key to success.
Identify the answer choice that best improves the underlined portion of the sentence.
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In this sentence, the subject is "anyone," a singular pronoun. Therefore, all pronouns relating back to "anyone" should be singular. In the underlined portion of the sentence, "preparing a plan that they stick to," "they" is plural, not singular. Now that we have identified the problem, we have to figure out how to correct it.
Given that "anyone" is gender neutral, the best way to improve this sentence is avoid the use of a gendered pronoun (meaning "he" or "she") and simply avoid using a pronoun at all. The correct answer, "preparing a plan and sticking to it," accomplishes this objective and is therefore the best way to improve the sentence.
In this sentence, the subject is "anyone," a singular pronoun. Therefore, all pronouns relating back to "anyone" should be singular. In the underlined portion of the sentence, "preparing a plan that they stick to," "they" is plural, not singular. Now that we have identified the problem, we have to figure out how to correct it.
Given that "anyone" is gender neutral, the best way to improve this sentence is avoid the use of a gendered pronoun (meaning "he" or "she") and simply avoid using a pronoun at all. The correct answer, "preparing a plan and sticking to it," accomplishes this objective and is therefore the best way to improve the sentence.
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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.
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.
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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."
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."
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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.
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.
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The pronoun refers to employees, so the pronoun should be plural rather than the singular he or she.
The pronoun refers to employees, so the pronoun should be plural rather than the singular he or she.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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."
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."
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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.
What is unique about these category is their relation to these things that are taken on to add to a being’s natural capacities.
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.
What is unique about these category is their relation to these things that are taken on to add to a being’s natural capacities.
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Pronouns should agree with their noun antecedents in number and case ("this" with the singular "category;" "those" with the plural and inanimate "things;" "that" with the nominative "things"). "It's," being a contraction of "it is," is not a pronoun!
Pronouns should agree with their noun antecedents in number and case ("this" with the singular "category;" "those" with the plural and inanimate "things;" "that" with the nominative "things"). "It's," being a contraction of "it is," is not a pronoun!
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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.
After reviewing all of the relevant legal information, the court decided that the original agreement had been strictly between she and the family trust, legally a technicality that significantly reduced the amount she expected to receive.
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.
After reviewing all of the relevant legal information, the court decided that the original agreement had been strictly between she and the family trust, legally a technicality that significantly reduced the amount she expected to receive.
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The clause at the beginning of the sentence modifies "the court," so that must be the subject of the sentence. Otherwise, the clause would be considered a dangling modifier. Additionally, the pronoun "she" is incorrectly used. Since the pronoun is functioning as the object of the preposition "between," it must be an objective-case pronoun. In order to be correct, it must be changed to "her," as in "the agreement is between her and the family trust."
The clause at the beginning of the sentence modifies "the court," so that must be the subject of the sentence. Otherwise, the clause would be considered a dangling modifier. Additionally, the pronoun "she" is incorrectly used. Since the pronoun is functioning as the object of the preposition "between," it must be an objective-case pronoun. In order to be correct, it must be changed to "her," as in "the agreement is between her and the family trust."
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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.
Like supermarkets across the country, the grocery chain was seeking to offer their clientele more local and organic products to meet new consumer demands.
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.
Like supermarkets across the country, the grocery chain was seeking to offer their clientele more local and organic products to meet new consumer demands.
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In the underlined portion of the sentence, "the grocery chain" is singular, but the chain's "clientele" is referred to with a plural pronoun, "their." The pronoun must be changed to the possesive singular pronoun, "its." As the only answer choice that makes this correction, "the grocery chain was seeking to offer its clientele more local and organic products to meet new consumer demands" is the correct answer choice.
In the underlined portion of the sentence, "the grocery chain" is singular, but the chain's "clientele" is referred to with a plural pronoun, "their." The pronoun must be changed to the possesive singular pronoun, "its." As the only answer choice that makes this correction, "the grocery chain was seeking to offer its clientele more local and organic products to meet new consumer demands" is the correct answer choice.
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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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
The event required a large amount of planning and preparation, with the event planner being sure every group of representatives was in their correct place on the stage.
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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
The event required a large amount of planning and preparation, with the event planner being sure every group of representatives was in their correct place on the stage.
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The final phrase of the sentence contains a problem with the pronoun "their" and its antecedent, "group." Because "every group" is a singular noun, it later needs to be referenced with a singular pronoun and verb, although the sentence already uses the appropriate verb form. The only answer choice which has appropriate agreement between all of the words is "every group of representatives was in its correct place on the stage."
The final phrase of the sentence contains a problem with the pronoun "their" and its antecedent, "group." Because "every group" is a singular noun, it later needs to be referenced with a singular pronoun and verb, although the sentence already uses the appropriate verb form. The only answer choice which has appropriate agreement between all of the words is "every group of representatives was in its correct place on the stage."
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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.
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.
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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."
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."
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Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
It is explicitly stated in the employee handbook that all workers must supply his or her own steel-toed shoes.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
It is explicitly stated in the employee handbook that all workers must supply his or her own steel-toed shoes.
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Because "all workers" is plural, the pronoun that refers to it as its antecedent must also be plural. Thus, the correct version of the sentence is: "It is explicitly stated in the employee handbook that all workers must provide their own steel-toed shoes."
If the workers are made individual ("each worker") then the correct pronoun form would be "his or her," because the individual pronoun is required but the gender of the worker is not specified.
Because "all workers" is plural, the pronoun that refers to it as its antecedent must also be plural. Thus, the correct version of the sentence is: "It is explicitly stated in the employee handbook that all workers must provide their own steel-toed shoes."
If the workers are made individual ("each worker") then the correct pronoun form would be "his or her," because the individual pronoun is required but the gender of the worker is not specified.
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Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Neither the supervisor nor the employees expressed his objections to the schedule at the time it was posted.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Neither the supervisor nor the employees expressed his objections to the schedule at the time it was posted.
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This sentence uses a correlative conjunction ("Neither . . . nor") to connect two antecedents; therefore, the pronoun must agree with the second antecedent, in this case "the employees," which is plural. Thus, the correct pronoun is "their."
This sentence uses a correlative conjunction ("Neither . . . nor") to connect two antecedents; therefore, the pronoun must agree with the second antecedent, in this case "the employees," which is plural. Thus, the correct pronoun is "their."
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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.
The new strategy was a remarkable departure from those laid by the general’s predecessor.
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.
The new strategy was a remarkable departure from those laid by the general’s predecessor.
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In this sentence, the use of the demonstrative pronoun "those," which indicates a plural antecedent, is not in agreement with the singular subject of "strategy." The pronoun should be changed to a singular form to be in agreement with the subject. There is only one answer choice that makes this change, "a remarkable departure from the one laid," which is the correct answer.
In this sentence, the use of the demonstrative pronoun "those," which indicates a plural antecedent, is not in agreement with the singular subject of "strategy." The pronoun should be changed to a singular form to be in agreement with the subject. There is only one answer choice that makes this change, "a remarkable departure from the one laid," which is the correct answer.
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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.
The new guidelines clearly stated that if a supervisor or an employee had a workplace issue, they were supposed to take the problem to the Human Resources department.
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.
The new guidelines clearly stated that if a supervisor or an employee had a workplace issue, they were supposed to take the problem to the Human Resources department.
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The use of the plural pronoun "they" is wrong in this sentence, as a pronoun must always be in agreement with its antecedent, which in this sentence is each of the singular nouns "a supervisor" and "an employee." The pronoun should be changed to an appropriate singular form. As the only option that makes this change, "had a workplace issue, he or she was supposed to take" is the correct answer choice.
The use of the plural pronoun "they" is wrong in this sentence, as a pronoun must always be in agreement with its antecedent, which in this sentence is each of the singular nouns "a supervisor" and "an employee." The pronoun should be changed to an appropriate singular form. As the only option that makes this change, "had a workplace issue, he or she was supposed to take" is the correct answer choice.
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