FTCE : Pronoun Referents

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for FTCE

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Pronoun Referents

A personal pronoun is ________________.

Possible Answers:

any word that takes the place of a proper noun

None of these

any word that takes the place of a noun

a word that takes the place of a proper noun specifically associated with a person or speaker

Correct answer:

a word that takes the place of a proper noun specifically associated with a person or speaker

Explanation:

Note here that some proper nouns can be replaced with pronouns that are not associated with a person, think of towns of countries, for instance. Personal pronouns only refer to people.

Example Question #2 : Pronoun Referents

In the given sentence, to which grammatical object does “they” refer?

If only Kevin and Charles had thought to talk to the umpires, they would have avoided the whole problem.

Possible Answers:

Kevin and Charles

None of these

The umpires

The whole problem

Correct answer:

Kevin and Charles

Explanation:

In order to avoid a dangling modifier, “they” must refer to the subject of the introductory clause, Kevin and Charles.

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