English Language Arts
Grade 8
15 min
Use the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent
Use the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent
What you'll learn
- Identify reflexive pronouns in sentences with 80% accuracy on a written quiz.
- Distinguish between reflexive and intensive pronouns in a given sentence and explain the difference in their function with 75% accuracy.
- Apply the correct use of reflexive pronouns in 3 out of 4 original sentences demonstrating understanding of their necessity to the sentence's meaning.
- Solve 4 out of 5 multiple-choice questions correctly by selecting the correct pronoun (reflexive, intensive, or other) to complete a sentence.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify antecedents and their corresponding pronouns in complex sentences.
Define pronoun-antecedent agreement and explain its importance for clear communication.
Apply rules for singular and plural pronoun-antecedent agreement in their writing.
Correctly use pronouns that agree with indefinite antecedents.
Choose appropriate pronouns for collective nouns based on context.
Revise sentences to correct errors in pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Explain how pronoun-antecedent agreement contributes to the overall coherence and professionalism of their argumentative essays.
Ever read a sentence and wonder who or what 'they' or 'it' refers to? 🤔 Confusing, right? Let's fix that!
In this lesson, you'll learn how to make sure your...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PronounA word that takes the place of a noun or another pronoun to avoid repetition.Instead of 'Sarah loves Sarah's dog,' we say 'Sarah loves *her* dog.'
AntecedentThe noun or pronoun that a pronoun refers to or replaces. It's the word that 'comes before' (ante- means before).In 'The *students* submitted *their* projects,' 'students' is the antecedent for 'their'.
AgreementThe match in number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine/neuter) between a pronoun and its antecedent.If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular. If the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural.
Singular Pronoun/AntecedentRefers to one person, place, thing, or idea. Singular pronouns include h...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Number Agreement Rule
A pronoun must agree in number (singular or plural) with its antecedent.
If the antecedent is singular, use a singular pronoun. If the antecedent is plural, use a plural pronoun. This is the most fundamental rule for agreement.
Gender Agreement Rule
A pronoun must agree in gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) with its antecedent.
Use 'he/him/his' for masculine antecedents, 'she/her/hers' for feminine antecedents, and 'it/its' for neuter antecedents (things or animals without specified gender).
Indefinite Pronoun Agreement Rule
Certain indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, every, either, neither, one, nobody, someone, everybody, anyone, no one, somebody). Others are always plural (e.g., both, few, man...
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Challenging
In an argumentative essay, why is correcting an error like 'A researcher must be careful with their data' essential for the writer's credibility?
A.It demonstrates the writer's attention to detail and mastery of formal language, which builds trust with the reader.
B.It makes the essay longer, which is often a requirement for academic assignments.
C.Using 'his or her' instead of 'their' shows that the writer has a more sophisticated vocabulary.
D.It avoids offending researchers who might be sensitive about pronoun usage.
Challenging
Each senator and every representative is expected to cast ___ vote on the bill.
A.their
B.his or her
C.a
D.its
Challenging
A student is writing an essay and creates the sentence: 'The author argues that the main character is a hero, but they are not very convincing.' How could this sentence be revised to eliminate ambiguity?
A.The author argues that the main character is a hero, but it is not very convincing.
B.The author argues that the main character is a hero, but their argument is not very convincing.
C.The author argues that the main character is a hero, but the author's argument is not very convincing.
D.The author argues that the main character is a hero, but they're not very convincing.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Use the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent"?
Use the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent is a Grade 8 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Use the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent?
You'll be able to: Identify reflexive pronouns in sentences with 80% accuracy on a written quiz; Distinguish between reflexive and intensive pronouns in a given sentence and explain the difference in their function with 75% accuracy; Apply the….
Is "Use the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent" free to practice?
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How many practice questions are included with Use the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.