Exercise 4: Noun-Pronoun Agreement
Choose the appropriate word in the sentences.
Question 1
Mr. Banks and Ms. Cutler are selling (his/her/their) stock in the construction company.
Incorrect.
"Their" is correct. The noun is plural (two people-- Mr. Banks and Ms. Cutler), so it requires the plural pronoun "their."
"Mr. Banks and Ms. Cutler are selling their stock in the construction company."
Incorrect.
"Their" is correct. The noun is plural (two people-- Mr. Banks and Ms. Cutler), so it requires the plural pronoun "their."
"Mr. Banks and Ms. Cutler are selling their stock in the construction company."
Correct.
"Their" is correct. The noun is plural (two people-- Mr. Banks and Ms. Cutler), so it requires the plural pronoun "their."
"Mr. Banks and Ms. Cutler are selling their stock in the construction company."
Question 2
Neither my mother nor yours would give us (her/their) permission to go cross country on a motorcycle.
Correct.
"Her" is correct; "neither" is a "trick singular." Although there are two people here, the noun functions as a singular noun because of the trick-singular word "neither."
Neither my mother nor yours would give us (her/their) permission to go cross country on a motorcycle.
Incorrect.
"Her" is correct; "neither" is a "trick singular." Although there are two people here, the noun functions as a singular noun because of the trick-singular word "neither."
Neither my mother nor yours would give us (her/their) permission to go cross country on a motorcycle.
Question 3
Jane Roberts is my friend and mentor; (she/they) answers all my questions.
Correct.
"She" is correct, because it is a singular, feminine pronoun that takes the place of the singular, feminine noun "Jane Roberts." Note that you also need to change "answer" to "answers" in order to have the verb agree with the singular noun.
"Jane Roberts is my friend and mentor; she answers all my questions."
Incorrect.
"She" is correct, because it is a singular, feminine pronoun that takes the place of the singular, feminine noun "Jane Roberts." Note that you also need to change "answer" to "answers" in order to have the verb agree with the singular noun.
"Jane Roberts is my friend and mentor; she answers all my questions."
Question 4
I wrote the letter (ourselves/myself/yourself).
Incorrect.
"Myself" is correct, because the subject is first person and singular.
"I wrote the letter myself."
Correct.
"Myself" is correct, because the subject is first person and singular.
"I wrote the letter myself."
Incorrect.
"Myself" is correct, because the subject is first person and singular.
"I wrote the letter myself."
Question 5
When I came into the apartment Sal was singing "I'm going to sit right down and write (myself/herself/yourself) a letter."
Correct.
"Myself" is correct, because the subject is first person and singular.
"When I came into the apartment Sal was singing "I'm going to sit right down and write myself a letter."
Incorrect.
"Myself" is correct, because the subject is first person and singular.
"When I came into the apartment Sal was singing "I'm going to sit right down and write myself a letter."
Incorrect.
"Myself" is correct, because the subject is first person and singular.
"When I came into the apartment Sal was singing "I'm going to sit right down and write myself a letter."
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