Answer Key for PRONOUN AGREEMENT HANDOUT VEsf
Practice Exercise #1
1. At the gas station, they (the mechanics) told us one of our tires looked soft.
2. Nora dropped the heavy ashtray on her foot and broke it. (her foot).
3. Ann asked for a grade receipt at the registrar’s office, and they (the staff) told her it would cost
three dollars.
4. Don’t touch the freshly painted walls with your hands unless they’re (the walls are) dry.
5. Maurice stays up half the night watching Chiller Theatre, which (the television noise) really annoys
his wife.
6. Robin went to the store’s personnel office, when they (the human resources managers) are
interviewing for sales positions.
7. Matt told his brother that he needed to lose some weight.
Matt told his brother to lose some weight.
Matt said, “I need to lose some weight” when he saw his brother.
8. I wrote to the insurance company, but they (their staff members) haven’t answered my letters.
9. Because my eyes were itchy, and bloodshot, I went to the doctor to see what he could do about it
(my eye problems).
10. I took the loose pillows off the chairs and sat on them (the fluffy pillows).
Practice Exercise #2
1.
2.
3.
4.
I peeled off my sweaty bandana and dipped IT into the cool stream.
Jamie sanded the cabinets and coated THEM with clear varnish.
Since my parents retired, THEY have started to share the household chores.
Waiting in the stalled school bus, the children threw THEIR books out the windows and lobbed
potato chips at each other.
5. The dog pawed at the flower and pulled IT out of the ground.
INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Practice Exercise #3
Select the correct pronoun.
Example
Neither of those houses has (its, their) own garage. (its √)
1. Girls! Did everyone remember to bring (her, their) insect repellent?
2. Anyone can pass our men’s physical education course if (he, they) will laugh at all the instructor’s
jokes.
3. Each of the jockeys wore (his, their) own distinctive racing silks.
4. Neither of the Mets’ relief pitchers was able to get (his, their) curve balls across.
5. If any student wants to apply for the scholarship offered by the women’s college (she, they) will
need two recommendations.
6. Either type of video recording system has (its, their) drawbacks.
7. Each woman rushed to pick up (her, their) forms and secure a place in line.
8. Three boys were suspected, but nobody would confess to leaving (his, their) fingerprints all over
the window.
9. All women leaving the room should pick up (her, their) lab reports.
10. During the fire, any one of those men could have lost (his, their) balance on the narrow ledge.
Practice Exercise #4
1. As we drove through the Alberta countryside, you (we) saw some of the horse-drawn buggies used
by the Hutterites.
2. One of the things I like about the corner store is that you (I) can buy homemade sausage there.
3. In our family, we had to learn to keep our bedrooms neat before you (we) were given an allowance.
4. No matter how hard we may be working, the minute you (we) relax, the supervisor will be watching.
5. People shouldn’t discuss cases outside of court if you (they) serve on a jury.
6. As I read the daily papers, you (I) get depressed by all the violent crime occurring in this country.
7. I never eat both halves of a hamburger bun, because you (I) save calories that way.
8. If someone started a bakery or doughnut shop in this town, you (he/she) could make a lot of
money.
9. Fran likes to shop at the factory outlet because you (she) can buy discount clothing there.
10. I can’t wait for summer, when you (I) can stop wearing heavy coats and itchy sweaters.
FULL REVIEW TEST ONE
1. Leon spent all morning bird-watching and didn’t see a single (one, bird).
2. Of the six men on the committee, no one was prepared to give (his, their) report, so the deadline
was extended.
3. If a student in that women’s college wants to get a good schedule (she, you) must enroll as soon
as possible.
4. Neither of the luncheonettes near our office has a very wide choice of sandwiches on (its, their)
menu.
5. My father has cut down on salt because it can give (you, him) high blood pressure.
6. Well, gentlemen, if anyone objects to the plan, (he, they) should speak up now.
7. I put my wet umbrella on the porch until (it, the umbrella) was dry.
8. I don’t like that fast-food restaurant, because (they, the employees) are inefficient.
9. Doctors make large salaries, but (you, they) often face the pressure of dealing with life and death.
10. After eight hours in the cramped, stuffy car, I was glad (it, the trip) was over.
FULL REVIEW TEST TWO
1. In our company, you have to work for one year before getting vacation time.
People
Mistake in
a. pronoun reference b. pronoun point of view
2. Amy signed up for a word processing course because she heard that they are in demand.
Word processers
Mistake in
a. pronoun reference
b. pronoun agreement
3. We did not eat much of the fruit, for you could tell that it was not fresh.
We
Mistake in
a. pronoun reference b. pronoun point of view
4. Eric visited the counseling center because they can help him straighten out his schedule.
counselors
Mistake in
a. pronoun reference b. pronoun agreement
5. Every student who was in the chemistry lab has their own memories of the fire.
His/her
Mistake in
a. pronoun reference b. pronoun agreement
Locate and Correct the Errors in the following (cross out the error and write the correct answer).
6. After Lee put cheese slices on the hamburgers, the dog ate them (the slices OR the hamburgers).
7. If you feel that they (YOU) are being discriminated against in jobs or housing, you should contact
the appropriate federal agency.
8. Norma told her that her house needed a new coat of paint.
Norma told her friend Marjorie that it was time to paint Norma’s house again.
Norma said, “Marjorie, your house needs a new coat of paint.”
9. One of the actors forgot their (his/her) lines and tried to ad-lib.
10. If anyone wants a tryout, they (he/she) should be at the gym by four o’clock.
FULL REVIEW TEST THREE
Select the correct pronoun from the pair in parenthesis.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Everyone there offered (his, their) help.
Sue and Elaine bought (her, their) own tickets.
Sue or Sally will lend you (her, their) tools.
One of the men forgot to bring (his, their) tools.
The head of the detective team proposed (her, their) idea.
Both of the girls had (her, their) notes handy.
A person is always pleased when you laugh at (her, their) jokes.
Each of the dogs was looking for (its, their) owner.
Several of the students in my homeroom had (his, their) photographs taken.
Both the carpenter and the welder finished (his, their) project yesterday.
One of the students must give (her, their) oral report tomorrow.
Everybody was hoping to have (his, their) lottery number picked.
13.
If anyone doesn't like the music I'm playing, (he, they) can go somewhere else.
14. Either of the boys may take (his, their) seat in the front of the room.
15. In the first-day confusion, neither of the teachers could find (his, their) classroom.
Well Done!
Sabrina!
