Noun Pronoun Agreement Exercise: A Guide to Mastering Grammar Rules
If you are someone who values the importance of clear and effective communication, then you understand the importance of grammar. One of the most fundamental components of grammar is noun-pronoun agreement. This is when a pronoun (such as he, her, they, etc.) matches the noun that it is referring to in terms of gender, number, and person.
To help you master this crucial grammar rule, we have put together an exercise that will challenge you to apply noun-pronoun agreement in various contexts.
Exercise 1: Singular Nouns and Pronouns
Task: Read the following sentences and fill in the blanks with the appropriate pronoun:
– Maria is a doctor, and ______ is very passionate about her work.
– The dog seems to have lost ______ collar.
– The book is on the shelf where ______ put it.
– John is coming over to ______ house this weekend.
– The teacher was impressed with ______ essay.
Solution: In the first sentence, the blank is filled with «she» because Maria is a female. In the second sentence, the blank is filled with «its» because a dog is referred to as an «it.» In the third sentence, the blank is filled with «I» since the person speaking is the one who placed the book on the shelf. In the fourth sentence, the blank is filled with «my» because John is coming to this person`s house. In the last sentence, the blank is filled with «her» because «essay» is a feminine noun.
Exercise 2: Plural Nouns and Pronouns
Task: Read the following sentences and fill in the blanks with the appropriate pronoun:
– The children in the park were playing with ______ ball.
– The trees in the forest were so tall that ______ could barely see the sky.
– The friends ate all of the pizza, so ______ ordered another one.
– The employees at the company were celebrating ______ success.
– The students had to write ______ name on the board.
Solution: In the first sentence, the blank is filled with «their» because children is a plural noun. In the second sentence, the blank is also filled with «they» because trees is a plural noun. In the third sentence, the blank is filled with «we» since the speaker is part of the group who ordered the pizza. In the fourth sentence, the blank is filled with «their» since employees is a plural noun. In the last sentence, the blank is filled with «their» because students is a plural noun.
Exercise 3: Indefinite Pronouns
Task: Read the following sentences and fill in the blanks with the appropriate pronoun:
– Anyone who wants to join the club can bring ______ application to the next meeting.
– Someone left ______ phone on the table.
– Everybody in the room was excited about ______ new project.
– Neither of the candidates showed ______ qualifications for the position.
– Anything is possible if ______ put your mind to it.
Solution: In the first sentence, the blank is filled with «their» because anyone is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific gender. In the second sentence, the blank is filled with «their» because someone is a singular pronoun, and we do not know the gender of the person. In the third sentence, the blank is filled with «our» because everybody refers to a group that includes the speaker. In the fourth sentence, the blank is filled with «his or her» because neither is a singular pronoun, and we do not know the gender of the candidates. In the last sentence, the blank is filled with «you» because anything is an indefinite pronoun that refers to anyone who puts their mind to it.
Conclusion
By mastering noun-pronoun agreement, you will be able to communicate more effectively and write with greater clarity and precision. With these exercises, you can practice and improve your skills in this important grammar rule. Remember, good grammar is critical for success in any field, so keep practicing and make sure you get it right every time!
