Page 21 - The Vocabulary Expander US Grades 6-8

Recognize and Correct Pronouns | Language Progressive Skills

C Other pronoun errors can occur when there is a shift in number. Pronouns can be singular
or plural and we must ensure that we do not mix them up. The pronoun must agree with

its antecedent, the noun (or pronoun) which is the subject to the sentence. Pair up the
antecedents and the pronouns which should go with them by drawing lines or writing out.

singular plural

I, me, mine, my, myself, you, your, yours, we, us, our, ourselves, they, them, their,
yourself, she, her, hers, herself, he, him, themselves
his, himself, it, its

the chairwoman a. ours

a squirrel b. him
you c. mine

we d. yours
I e. it

Jeffrey f. hers

D In these examples, there is a shift in number/person which creates confusion. Replace

the problem pronoun in brackets with the correct pronoun.

1. A teacher will normally have to do some work in (their) ____________ holiday.

2. Fathers should support children by using (his) ____________ time to support them with
homework.

3. Audrey was proud of her painting and showed everyone (their) ____________ portrait.

4. Some students enrolled in the philosophy class where (you) ____________ learned about
ancient and modern philosophers.

5. Clowns rarely reveal (our) ____________ true nature when performing in public.

6. If children eat lots of fruit and vegetables (mine) ____________ will lead a healthier life.

7. After I had completed the puzzle, (they) ____________ worked on another problem-
solving exercise.

8. We planned to go on a geography field trip hiking near the lakes, but (I) ____________
could not raise the funds.

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