Pronouns and Antecedents

Demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives

A demonstrative pronoun is a pronoun that points out or "demonstrates" the noun in a sentence. This, That, These, Those are demonstrative. A demonstrative pronoun takes the place of a noun and always stand alone. A demonstrative adjective is immediately followed by a noun as adjectives modify nouns. ex: Tires on most cars are wider than those on most midsized sedans. (those refers to the tires and is not followed by a noun so it's not an adjective, it's a pronoun) That book is long. (That refers to book so it's a demonstrative adjective)

Possessive pronouns and gerunds

A gerund is a form of a verb that ends in "ing" and is used as a noun. Often, in sentences, gerunds are preceded by possessive pronouns. While the use of a possessive pronoun with a gerund is correct, the combination of a possessive pronoun and gerund can sound funny. Always consider what's being conveyed by the sentence. ex: During the meeting with the citizens, the mayor seemed to be surprised by their questioning the validity of the data. We are tempted to use "them", but the mayor is surprised by their questioning.

Pronoun issue four: The sentence uses an incorrect pronoun case

A pronoun's case is its categorization into one of three types: subject, object and possessive. If the pronoun is doing the action, a subject pronoun must be used. If the pronoun is being acted upon or is the object of a preposition, an object pronoun must be used. If the pronoun is indicating ownership, a possessive pronoun must be used.

A pronoun will not refer to a clause in a correct answer on the gmat

Although, in everyday speech, people often use pronouns to refer to clauses, on the GMAT, constructions that involve pronouns referring to clauses are generally not preferred. ex: The job was less difficult than shane expected it to be, but that didn't make up for the lack of pay. "That" refers to the job being less difficult that shane expected, but on the GMAT, they prefer clarity so an answer would say, "The job was less difficult than shane expected, but the lack of difficulty didn't make up for the lack of pay."

The expletive "it"

As we look out for pronouns without logical antecedents, we have to be careful not to be confused by the "it" expletive. In certain cases, it is considered correct to delay the subject of a clause and use the expletive "it" as a stand in for the subject. ex: Although the project was challenging, it was clear that the team was making progress. If we replace "it" with its noun clause we see that it makes sense. Although the project was challenging, that the team was making progress was clear.

"that" and "those"

Don't directly refer to their antecedents. And can be used on the gmat in replace of personal pronouns to mix test takers up.

Subject pronouns

I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they, who, whoever, which, that, what, everybody

"who"/"whoever" and "whom"/"whomever"

If the pronoun serves as a subject, the correct pronoun to use is the subject pronoun "who"/"whoever". One way to determine whether to use who/whoever vs whom/whomever is to replace the pronoun with "he" or "him". He works for who, him works for whom.

Pronoun issue six: a sentence contain an unneeded pronoun

In a sentence, only one noun or pronoun is needed to fill any particular role, and so, if a sentence contains a noun and a pronoun that play the same role or two pronouns that play the same role, then the sentence contains a useless word and, thus is illogically constructed. ex: Rich Roll, once an unhealthy corporate lawyer, he decided to change his life at age 40. If we remove the modifier "once an unhealthy corporate lawyer" we see that "he" is unneccesary.

Pronoun issue one: multiple possible antecedents

In order for a sentence to effectively convey a meaning, it must be clear which noun is the antecedent of each pronoun in the sentence. To check for pronoun-antecedent errors, when there is a pronoun in a sentence, identify its possible antecedents. ex: In a fit of anger, Jane poured the water from the vase and threw it. It's unclear what "it" refers to because it could be vase or water. The correct sentence would be "In a fit of anger, Jane poured the water from the vase and threw the vase"

Personal pronouns

It, she, he they them refers directly to the antecedent it replaces and stands in for the noun.

Pronoun issue three: a pronoun doesn't agree in number with its antecedent

Just as subject must agree in number with their verbs, pronouns and antecedents must agree. A singular pronoun must refer to a singular antecedent, and a plural pronoun must refer to a plural antecedent. ex: The prices at the department store are set high, and it is marked down to normal level on sale days. "it" is singular but referencing a plural "prices'. It would instead be correct to use "They".

Pronoun-antecedent agreement when "each" or "every" is used

Pronouns that correctly refer to "each" or every" are always singular, regardless of whether "each" or "every" begins a phrase that contains a plural noun or that describes a group. ex: Each poet may submit up to five of his poems.

An adjective can't be the antecedent of a pronoun

Sometimes in a sentence, a word that would serve as the intended antecedent of a pronoun is present but acting, not as a noun but as another part of speech (usually an adjective) and, therefore, cannot function logically as the antecedent. ex: I wish the bread section were at the front of the store, so that I could purchase it more conveniently. We can't purchase the bread section which it is referring to so the sentence needs to change.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement when the antecedent is an indefinite pronoun

Tthe indefinite pronoun "everyone" is always singular. That it is singular makes sense, as "everyone" is really just "every" and "one" combined. Other common singular indefinite pronouns are "anyone" "someone" "no one" and "nobody". ex: Everyone has his or her own problems.

Pronoun issue two: a pronoun's antecedent is missing from the sentence

We may encounter sentences that feature a pronoun but lack an antecedent. These are generally not preferred. ex: The orchard's production is high, but selling them is easy. We don't know what them refers to so the correct answer would be "The orchard's production is high, but selling apples is easy."

Pronoun issue five: the sentence contains illogical antecedents

When the word "term" is used in reference to the name of something, make sure that any pronouns meant to refer to that thing refer to the thing itself and not the word "term". When a word such as term, label or name introduces a noun in quotes, be on the lookout for a pronoun antecedent error. ex: The label "socialism" has long been avoided by many but recent news stories have made it a more mainstream ideology. What is "it" referring to is not clear and should be replaced with socialism

Use of demonstrative pronouns where personal pronouns make more sense

look out for answer choices where it is incorrect because a demonstrative pronoun takes the place of a personal pronoun Incorrect: While pandas seem cuddly or endearing, these have extremely strong bites and long claws. Replacing "these" with "they" would be the correct use because "they" directly refers to the antecedent pandas.

Object pronouns

me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them, whom, whomever, which, that, what, everybody

Possessive pronouns

mine, yours, his/hers, ours, yours, theirs, whose, everybody's