SAT Writing › 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.
No parent should have to bury their child; the loss of a young loved one is very often too much to bear.
No parent should have to bury his or her child;
No parent should have to bury their child;
No parent should have to bury they're child;
No parent should have to bury there child;
No parent should have to bury their child:
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "No parent" does not match up correctly with "their." Since "no parent" concerns individual parents a plural pronoun is inappropriate in this situation. The best way to correct the error is: "No parent should have to bury his or her child;"
Note that a semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses in the example sentence.
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 reporter was nervous that the mob was after him because of his piece on city corruption.
him
he
his
the reporter
her
In the sentence above, the pronoun "him" clearly refers to the reporter in the first part of the sentence. This is gramatically correct—in the second part of the sentence, the reporter is the object, therefore "him" is the appropriate pronoun. The sentence is correct as written.
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.
Everyone has a lot of trouble with their taxes: the system should be simplified.
Everyone has a lot of trouble with his or her taxes: the system should be simplified.
Everyone has a lot of trouble with their taxes: the system should be simplified.
Everyone has a lot of trouble with their taxes; and the system should be simplified.
Everyone has a lot of trouble with their taxes; so the system should be simplified.
Everyone has a lot of trouble with his or her taxes: and the system should be simplified.
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "everyone" does not match up correctly with "their," since "everyone" individualizes the subject a plural pronoun is incorrect. The best way to correct the error is, "Everyone has a lot of trouble with his or her taxes: the system should be simplified."
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
No mother should have to bury their child.
her
his
their
there
they're
"Mother" is a singular noun, therefore the proper prounoun to use with it is "her."
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 members of the jury could not make up its minds to render a verdict.
their
they're
there
its
his or her
By itself, "jury" is treated as a singular, collective noun. If you only had the word "jury," the correct corresponding prounoun would be "its"; however, given that the antecedent is not only "jury," but "members of the jury," the correct pronoun is plural: "their."
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.
Each person should know their place, especially when addressing a monarch as important as Frederick.
Each person should know his or her place,
Each person should know their place,
Everyones should know their place,
One should know their place,
Each person should know their place:
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "each person" does not match up correctly with "their." "Their" is a plural possessive pronoun, and should only be used to connote possession for unified groups, not large groups that are individualized. The best way to correct the error is: "Everyone should know his or her place,"
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.
No one should have to put up with constant abuse from their boss.
No one should have to put up with constant abuse from his or her boss.
No one should have to put up with constant abuse from their boss.
No one should have to put up with constant abuse from they're boss.
No one should have to put up with constant abuse from there boss.
No one should have to put up with constant abuse from their boss.
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "no one" does not match up correctly with "their." The best way to correct the error is: "No one should have to put up with constant abuse from his or her boss."
Note that the subject of this sentence is "no one," which is singular.
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
After the fight, the boys didn't want to be held responsible for there actions.
their
there
they're
our
boys's
The proper possessive pronoun for the antecedent "the boys" is "their."
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.
after the faith was no longer active.
after it was no longer an active faith.
after it was not an active faith.
after the faith not being active.
after it was no longer active as a faith.
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.
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.
they feel as if they are part of a team
he or she feels to be part of a team
he or she feels part of a team
it's more like a team for them
feeling part of a team is made possible
The pronoun refers to employees, so the pronoun should be plural rather than the singular he or she.