S-6 Pronoun Review
Multiple Choice
Select the answer that contains no problem with pronoun reference, pronoun-antecedent
agreement, or pronoun case.
1.
a. The teenagers should be ashamed of their behavior, which is unlikely.
b. The teenagers know they should apologize for his or her behavior.
c. We teenagers did not realize that our behavior offended you.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
2.
a. Larry and Bob have both locked their keys in their cars.
b. I haven’t known Bob for long; I have more faith in Larry than in he.
c. Larry told Bob that his days were numbered.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
3.
a. In the weather report, it says, “Snow is falling heavily all over New England.”
b. Someone was hoping they could go skiing.
c. Have you seen his skiing? It’s far superior to mine.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
4.
a. The baby would not stop crying. This annoyed the babysitter.
b. A babysitter today charges more than they did ten years ago.
c. The little girl did not stop crying until she and the babysitter went to the park.
ANS c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
5.
a. The gourmet shop was charging eleven dollars, which was way over our budget, for a
quart of soup.
b. Everyone decided to try their hand at cooking soup from scratch.
c. Whom do you think made the best soup?
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
6.
a. The museum’s Monet holdings are impressive. It will put on a special exhibit this
summer.
b. In the Times, it says that Monet produced many works on paper, not just oil paintings.
c. Who knew that Claude was Monet’s middle name, not his first name?
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
7.
a. “Management tries to exploit we nurses,” read the placard.
b. One nurse had been working thirteen-hour shifts every Saturday for three years; it
was she who mobilized her coworkers to strike.
c. Ms. Goodman, the nurse, and my mother spoke in private. She said I should get out of
bed.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
8.
a. An actor should keep thoughts about politics to themselves.
b. Modern acting was influenced by the director Stanislavsky, who emphasized the
actor’s identification with his or her role.
c. Dustin Hoffman played the title role in the 1967 movie The Graduate. Could anyone
else have played it better than him?
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
9.
a. Whom is the Stanley Cup named after?
b. Every hockey player wants to see if their talent will land them the Stanley Cup, the
oldest trophy awarded to North American professional athletes.
c. To who was the first Stanley Cup awarded in the 1893-1894 hockey season?
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
10.
a. Did Andorra or Palau receive its membership in the United Nations before 2000?
b. The United Nations has always been a controversial organization, which is inevitable.
c. Whom besides U Thant and Kofi Annan has been secretary-general of the United
Nations?
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6-pronouns.html>
S-6a Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Multiple Choice
Each of the following sentences may have an inappropriate pronoun. Select the
instruction that tells how to treat the sentence so that all of the pronouns make sense and
agree with their antecedents in gender and in number.
1. The essay test asks each sixth-grader in the school district to explain why he does or
does not identify with the hero of an assigned novel.
a. Leave as is.
b. Change he does or does not to they do or do not.
c. Change he does or does not to he or she does or does not.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
2. Everyone at the boys’ camp on this side of the lake and at the girls’ camp across the
lake must demonstrate that he can swim the width of the lake.
a. Leave as is.
b. Change he can swim to they can swim.
c. Change Everyone to All the campers; change he can swim to they can swim.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
3. Wendy Wasserstein’s play Uncommon Women and Others traces a group of women
friends who attend a single-sex college and stay in touch after graduation. Each friend has
her own strengths and weaknesses.
a. Leave as is.
b. Change her own strengths and weaknesses to their own strengths and weaknesses.
c. Change her own strengths and weaknesses to his or her own strengths and
weaknesses.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
4. Martha Graham and George Balanchine had his own ideas about choreography.
a. Leave as is.
b. Change his to her.
c. Change his to their.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
5. Neither the clowns nor the animal trainer showed their fear of the lions.
a. Leave as is.
b. Reverse the compound subject, putting the animal trainer first and the clowns second.
c. Change their fear to his or her fear.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
6. I want to find a personal trainer who will help me build strength. Ideally, he won’t
tease me about mixing up left and right.
a. Leave as is.
b. Change he to he or she.
c. Change he to they.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
7. A nurse must demonstrate her competence and her compassion.
a. Leave as is.
b. Change her competence and her compassion to their competence and their
compassion.
c. Remove both instances of her.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
8. Most of the campers passed his swimming test this summer.
a. Leave as is.
b. Change his swimming test to their swimming tests.
c. Change his swimming test to his or her swimming test.
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
9. I remember when neither my father nor my mother had her own passport; instead, we
all had a family passport.
a. Leave as is.
b. Change had her own passport to had their own passports.
c. Change neither my father nor my mother had her own passport to neither my father
nor my mother had an individual passport.
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
10. After the celebration, the team left for their dorms or the library.
a. Leave as is.
b. Change their dorms or the library to its dorms or the library.
c. Change the team to the players; change their dorms or the library to his or her dorms
or the library.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=24>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6a.html>
S-6b Pronoun Reference
Multiple Choice
Some of the following sentences contain problems with pronoun reference. Select the
answer that has no such problems. If the original sentence is correct, select c. No change.
1. The newspaper’s editors should feel guilty about their stance on pollution, but it is
probably not going to happen.
a. The newspaper’s editors should feel guilty about their stance on pollution, but they
probably won’t.
b. The newspapers editors should feel guilty about their stance on pollution, which
probably won’t happen.
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
2. Most economists agree that building a nest egg for retirement is possible if we set aside
some money every week.
a. Most economists agree that building a nest egg for retirement is possible if he or she
sets aside some money every week.
b. Most economists agree that building a nest egg for retirement is possible for people
who set aside some money every week.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
3. The boss became an object of ridicule because of his outrageous behavior.
a. The boss’s outrageous behavior made him an object of ridicule.
b. Ridiculing the boss’s outrageous behavior is what he deserved.
c. No change
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
4. A real-estate developer wants to build residences and offices on some vacant land in
our town. The community objects to this.
a. A real-estate developer wants to build residences and offices on some vacant land in
our town. The community objects to this use of the land.
b. A real-estate developer wants to build residences and offices on some vacant land in
our town, which the community objects to.
c. No change.
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
5. In many states, they don’t require motorcyclists to wear helmets.
a. In many states, they haven’t passed a law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets.
b. Many states don’t require motorcyclists to wear helmets.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
6. Someone who was on the bus left behind their books and lunch.
a. Someone who was on the bus left behind her books and lunch.
b. Someone who was on the bus left behind his or her books and lunch.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
7. The radio announcer said, “Because of last night’s storm, the high school’s classes will
start at 11:00 a.m., but you will be dismissed at the normal time.”
a. The radio announcer said, “Because of last night’s storm, the high school’s classes will
start at 11:00 a.m., but students will be dismissed at the normal time.”
b. The radio announcer said, “Because of last night’s storm, the high school’s classes will
start at 11:00 a.m., but it will be dismissed at the normal time.”
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
8. They say that the governor rescinded his job offer to a local politician.
a. In the news summary, it says that the governor rescinded his job offer to a local
politician.
b. The news summary reports that the governor rescinded his job offer to a local
politician.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
9. John told the critic, “A magnanimous review will make me famous.”
a. John told the critic that he would be famous if the review were magnanimous.
b. John said to the critic that a magnanimous review would make him famous.
c. No change
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
10. Some historians speak about the collapse of earlier, sophisticated cultures, and they
resonate with today’s audiences.
a. Some historians speak about the collapse of earlier, sophisticated cultures, a topic that
resonates with today’s audiences.
b. Some historians speak about sophisticated cultures in the past having collapsed, which
resonates with today’s audiences.
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=25>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6b.html>
S-6c Pronoun Case
Multiple Choice
Select the pronoun that belongs on the blank.
1. After reading Fitzgerald for several weeks, Abigail and ___ went back to
Hemingway.
a. I
b. me
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>
2. Abigail likes Fitzgerald better than Hemingway, but both authors challenge her and
____.
a. I
b. me
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>
3. You can expect _____ literature majors to admire Fitzgerald and Hemingway.
a. we
b. us
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>
4. Hemingway’s first wife was Elizabeth Hadley Richardson. Hemingway and _____
divorced in 1927.
a. she
b. her
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>
5. Do you think the succinct style Hemingway made famous resulted from _____ never
going to college?
a. him
b. his
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>
6. Although I like Fitzgerald, I like Hemingway more than _____.
a. he
b. him
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>
7. Speaking of Hemingway and Fitzgerald, if two writers deserved the Nobel Prize, it was
_____.
a. they
b. them
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>
8. Besides Hadley, _____ else did Hemingway marry?
a. who
b. whom
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>
9. Is it possible to figure out _____ was the best wife for Hemingway?
a. who
b. whom
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>
10. _____ knew Hemingway well knew not only the writer but also the skier, hunter, and
deep-sea fisherman.
a. Whoever
b. Whomever
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-6c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=26>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-6c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-6c.html>