PSAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Errors
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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.
The woolly mammoth, a relative of the elephant, roamed through northern Eurasia and North America before their extinction. No error.
No error.
a relative of the elephant
roamed through
their extinction
and
their extinction
In this sentence, the plural pronoun “their” does not agree with its singular antecedent, “the woolly mammoth.” The corrected sentence reads, "The woolly mammoth, a relative of the elephant, roamed through northern Eurasia and North America before its extinction."
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.
The ruby-tailed tree crawler is a rare species of caterpillar; they only live in isolated sections of the Amazon jungle. No error.
live in
isolated sections
No error.
they
a rare species
they
In this sentence, the pronoun “they” does not agree in number with its singular antecedent, “the ruby-tailed tree crawler.” The corrected sentence reads, "The ruby-tailed tree crawler is a rare species of caterpillar; it only lives in isolated sections of the Amazon jungle."
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.
Modern-day chickens did not evolve from prehistoric dinosaurs, but it does share a common ancestor. No error.
dinosaurs, but
it does
No error.
Modern-day
did not evolve from
it does
This sentence has a pronoun that does not agree with its antecedent. “It” is singular, but it refers to the plural “chickens” and “dinosaurs.” The corrected sentence reads, "Modern-day chickens did not evolve from prehistoric dinosaurs, but they do share a common ancestor."
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 tree-toothed spider is migrating north from the Amazon, where they made their home previously. No error.
previously
they made their home
from the Amazon
No error.
is migrating
they made their home
The first part of the sentence introduces the spider as a singular noun. The second part, where the sentence uses pronouns, should match this by referring to the spider using singular pronouns. The corrected sentence reads, "The tree-toothed spider is migrating north from the Amazon, where it made its home previously."
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.
Little Amy beamed proudly as she described every detail of the model rocket her father and her had built. No error.
proudly
had built
her father and her
described
No error.
her father and her
This sentence contains an error in pronoun case. "Her father and her" is incorrect because "her" is an objective pronoun, whereas a subjective pronoun is needed because Amy performed the action "had built," along with "her father." If you find it hard to see why the sentence's use of "her" is incorrect, try taking out the phrase "her father and"; you wouldn't say "Little Amy beamed proudly as she described every detail of the model rocket her had built." So, "her father and her" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.
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.
For people living in extremely cold climates, putting on warm mittens and boots just to cross the street is a necessary precaution to protect yourself from the cold. No error.
putting on
For people living in
to protect yourself
No error.
and boots
to protect yourself
This sentence uses the pronoun “yourself,” even though it is talking about “people living in cold and snowy climates” in the third person. One way to correct this is, "For people living in extremely cold climates, putting on warm mittens and boots just to cross the street is a necessary precaution for protection from the cold."
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.
Contrary to popular belief, the most dangerous pirates were often the ones which had two wooden legs. No error.
Contrary to
most dangerous
No error.
which
were the ones
which
This sentence uses the relative pronoun “which” to describe people. The personal version “who” is better: "Contrary to popular belief, the most dangerous pirates were often the ones who had two wooden legs."
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.
I hate having to go to the doctor because they always ask very invasive questions that make me uncomfortable. No error
make me
having to
they
ask
No error
they
The word, "doctor" is singular. Therefore, pronouns that refer back to the doctor should also be singular. "They" is plural and therefore is incorrect; the phrase "he or she" should be used in the sentence, as we do not know the doctor's gender.
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.
In order for a person to balance a career and family, it is essential that they be able to prioritize all the things that must be accomplished. No error
and
able to
that
No error
they
they
The subject of this sentence is "person." Therefore, the pronoun should be the singular "he or she," not the plural "they."
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.
The flock of geese flew rapidly through the air for miles on end until they became fatigued and had to land to rest. No error
had to
flock of
miles on end
No error
they
they
"Flock of geese" is singular. Therefore, the corresponding verb should refer to a singular subject, not a plural one. "They" should be changed to "it."
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