#Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: Your Ultimate Guide 📝

Hey there, future SAT superstar! Let's get those pronouns and antecedents dancing in perfect harmony. Think of them as partners – they need to match to make your writing flow smoothly. This guide is your cheat sheet to mastering this crucial skill, especially for the big exam tomorrow. Let's dive in!

#Understanding Antecedents: The Basics

#What are Antecedents?

• Antecedents are the nouns, phrases, or clauses that pronouns replace. They're the original 'dancers' that pronouns step in for.
• Pronouns (he, she, it, they, who, whom, which, that) need clear antecedents to avoid confusion. Think of them as stand-ins; they can't perform without someone to represent.
• Usually, the antecedent comes before the pronoun (e.g., "The cat licked its paw"). But sometimes, it follows (e.g., "After she finished, Mary went home").
• If an antecedent isn't stated, it should be very clear from the context. No guessing games allowed!

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• Typical Order: Antecedent → Pronoun (e.g., "The students finished their exams.")
• Reversed Order: Sometimes, Pronoun → Antecedent (e.g., "After he studied, John aced the test.")
• Avoid Vague References: Make sure it's crystal clear who or what the pronoun is referring to. No ambiguity!
• Use Specific Nouns: When possible, use a noun instead of a pronoun to avoid confusion. Clarity is key!
• Rewrite for Clarity: If the antecedent is unclear, rewrite the sentence. It's better to be clear than clever.

#Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: The Core Rules

#Number and Person Agreement

• Match in Number: Singular pronouns for singular antecedents, and plural pronouns for plural antecedents. It's like matching socks!
  • Singular: he, she, it, I, me
  • Plural: they, them, we, us
• Match in Person: First person (I, we), second person (you), third person (he, she, it, they). Keep the perspective consistent.
• Collective Nouns: (team, committee, group) can be trick...