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 noun

any word that takes the place of a proper noun

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

None of these

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:

The umpires

None of these

The whole problem

Kevin and Charles

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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