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How to Solve Pronoun Agreement for the New Digital SAT | TTA Guide
Pronoun Agreement for the New Digital SAT
Hey there! Today, we're diving into the world of pronouns. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. In fact, you probably use pronouns all the time without even thinking about it. But when it comes to writing, especially on tests like the SAT, knowing how to use pronouns correctly can make a big difference.
So, what's the big deal about pronouns? Well, they need to agree with the nouns they're referring to. It's like they're in a relationship, and they need to be on the same page. Let's break it down:
Imagine you have a pet giraffe named Spotty. You might say:
"Spotty loves to eat leaves. She can reach the tallest branches."
In this case, "she" is the pronoun, and it agrees with Spotty, who is one giraffe (singular) and female.
Here's what you need to remember:
- Singular pronouns (like she, it) go with singular nouns
- Plural pronouns (like they) go with plural nouns
- Some pronouns are just for people (he, she), some for things (it), and some for both (they)
Now, let's look at a tricky example that might show up on a test:
The avocado is a nutrient-dense fruit. ____ is often used in guacamole.
Which word best fits in the blank?
Advanced Pronoun Agreement: Things and Examples
A. Things
Hey there, grammar enthusiasts! Let's dive deeper into the world of pronouns, focusing on how we use them with things. This is super important because it's a common topic on the SAT and in academic writing.
When we're talking about things (like cities, books, or paintings), we use these pronouns:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| It | They, Them |
| Its | Their |
Remember: The plural of "it" is "they" or "them", not "its"!
Singular Nouns
When you're dealing with a singular noun, you need to use a singular pronoun. Check out this example:
Incorrect: While the ukulele is a stringed instrument, they are considered easy to learn.
Correct: While the ukulele is a stringed instrument, it is considered easy to learn.
Plural Nouns
For plural nouns, you guessed it - use plural pronouns! Here's an example:
Incorrect: While cacti are desert plants, it is known for storing water.
Correct: While cacti are desert plants, they are known for storing water.
Now, here's something tricky: The noun that the pronoun refers to (we call this the "referent") might not always be in the same sentence. It could be in the sentence before, or sometimes even after!
TTA Pro Tip
When you see answer choices with both singular and plural pronouns, take a moment to find the noun the pronoun is referring to. This simple step can save you from choosing an answer that seems right but actually creates disagreement when you put it back in the passage.
Pronoun Agreement: People Edition
B. People
Hey there, grammar explorers! We're about to dive into the world of pronouns for people. This is usually a bit easier than dealing with things because it's often clear whether we're talking about one person or many people. Let's check it out!
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean when she completed the journey on May 20, 1932. After ___ groundbreaking flight, Earhart continued to set records and advocate for women in aviation.
Which word best fits in the highlighted blank?
A) one's
B) her
C) their
D) there
In this example, the pronoun must refer to Amelia Earhart, who is clearly female (the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic). So, her is the only correct choice. The answer is B.
TTA Pro Mr. O Tip: Unspecified Gender
When we're dealing with a singular noun and we don't know the gender, like "a chef" or "an athlete," we traditionally use "he or she" (or other grammatically correct forms like "him or her," "his or her"). For example:
"When a chef creates a new dish, he or she must consider flavor, texture, and presentation."
Now, you might be thinking, "But wait! I often hear people use 'they' for a single person when we don't know the gender." You're right! In everyday English, using 'they' for a single person is becoming more common. However, on standardized tests like the SAT, it's usually safer to stick with "he or she" unless told otherwise.
A violinist must practice for many hours each day if he or she wants to master the instrument. The dedication required means that his or her social life may suffer, but the rewards of musical excellence are often worth the sacrifice.
Remember, when it comes to people, context is key. Pay attention to clues in the passage that might indicate gender or number, and choose your pronouns accordingly!
Pronoun Agreement: One, You, We
C. One, You, We
| Subject | Object/Possessive |
|---|---|
| One | One, One's |
| We | Us, Our |
| You | You, Your |
The pronouns one, you, and we can all refer to people in general. However, they must remain consistent throughout a sentence or paragraph. Mixing and matching these pronouns (or any other pronoun) is a no-go.
TTA Pro Mr. O Tip: Context Matters
When choosing between these pronouns, remember that context is key. All answer choices might be grammatically correct on their own, but only one will fit perfectly with the surrounding sentences. If you've been reading carefully, you'll likely remember which pronoun was used earlier. If you're unsure, take a moment to reread the surrounding sentences.
To effectively memorize a piece of music, we must practice consistently. In particular, the neural pathways in the brain must work together to solidify ___ memory of the notes and rhythms.
Which word best fits in the highlighted blank?
A) one's
B) our
C) your
D) their
If you only read the sentence with the blank, you might struggle to choose the correct answer. However, looking at the previous sentence reveals the pronoun "we". This means the pronoun in the second sentence must match. "Our" is the possessive form of "we", so the correct answer is B.
Remember, consistency is key when using these pronouns. If a passage starts with "one", stick with "one" throughout. If it uses "you", keep using "you". This consistency helps maintain a clear and professional tone in your writing.
Pronoun Agreement: Missing or Ambiguous Antecedent
D. Missing or Ambiguous Antecedent (Noun > Pronoun)
When a pronoun refers to a noun that's missing or unclear, it's crucial to name the specific person, place, or thing to remove any ambiguity. Let's look at some examples:
Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keeffe are among the most celebrated painters in art history. ___ known for using vibrant colors and personal symbolism in their artwork.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) She is known
B) It is known
C) O'Keeffe is known
D) She would be known
In this case, both Frida and Georgia are female, so it's unclear which one "she" refers to. The correct answer is C because it supplies a specific name and removes the ambiguity.
TTA Pro Mr. O Tip: Noun over Pronoun
When given a choice between a pronoun and a noun naming a specific person or thing, the noun will almost always be correct.
Developed by a team of engineers at TechInnovate, a new device called the EcoRide can be installed on any bicycle to provide an eco-friendly boost. With a 400-watt motor and a 52-volt lithium battery, it can double the power generated by regular pedaling. ___ can use a smartphone app to control speed, track distance, and monitor battery life.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) They
B) Cyclists
C) He or she
D) Some
The passage describes a device for bicycles, so "they" might seem to refer to cyclists. However, the noun "cyclists" doesn't actually appear in the passage. Remember, a pronoun must refer to a noun that's present. The correct answer is B, which supplies the noun indicating exactly who can use the smartphone app.
This rule also applies to demonstrative pronouns like "this" and "that" (and their plural forms "these" and "those"). These should generally be followed by a noun to avoid vague constructions.
Over the last few decades, social media has dramatically altered how we communicate, share information, and form communities. From photo-sharing platforms to professional networking sites, many of our social interactions now occur online. While ___ has numerous benefits, it also presents challenges to privacy and mental health.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Emphatic Pronouns and Noun Agreement
E. Emphatic Pronouns
"Self" words, such as herself, itself, and themselves, can be used to emphasize either people or things. The key is to ensure they agree with the noun they're emphasizing.
Incorrect: What's under scrutiny is the musician's decision to release the album exclusively online, not the quality of the music herself.
Correct: What's under scrutiny is the musician's decision to release the album exclusively online, not the quality of the music itself.
In this example, the music (thing, singular) rather than the musician (person) is being emphasized, so "itself" must be used.
The scientists were amazed by the robot's ability to navigate complex terrains, but they were even more impressed by its capacity to learn and adapt ___.
Which emphatic pronoun best completes the sentence?
F. Noun Agreement
Nouns must agree in number: singular subjects pair with singular nouns, and plural subjects pair with plural nouns.
Incorrect: Inspired by the global chess boom of the 2020s, Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura decided to launch an online platform and become a chess instructor.
Correct: Inspired by the global chess boom of the 2020s, Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura decided to launch an online platform and become chess instructors.
Because Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura are two people, they must become chess instructors, plural.
TTA Pro Mr. O Tip: Watch Out for Tricky Constructions
Some phrases might appear plural but are actually singular. For example:
Incorrect: Serena Williams, along with her sister Venus, are considered legends of tennis.
Correct: Serena Williams, along with her sister Venus, is considered a legend of tennis.
If we remove the non-essential clause "along with her sister Venus," we can see more clearly that Serena Williams (singular) is the true subject of the sentence.
The CEO of TechGiant, accompanied by her team of executives, ___ to revolutionize the smartphone industry with their latest innovation.
Which verb form correctly completes the sentence?
Relative Pronouns: Usage and Rules
Relative pronouns, like other pronouns, have specific rules about when to use them for people, things, or both. Let's break it down:
| People | Things | People & Things |
|---|---|---|
| Who, Whom | Which | Whose, That |
Who(m) vs. Which
Use who or whom for people, and which for things.
Incorrect: Astronauts which participate in long-duration space missions can experience significant physiological changes.
Correct: Astronauts who participate in long-duration space missions can experience significant physiological changes.
TTA Pro Mr. O Tip: "That" for People
While "that" is often used for people in everyday writing, this usage is controversial and typically not tested on the SAT. Assume other concepts are being tested if you encounter it.
Whose
Whose is the possessive form of both "who" and "which". It can refer to people or things.
People: Scientists whose research focuses on climate change often collaborate across disciplines.
Things: The Great Barrier Reef, whose coral ecosystems are under threat from rising ocean temperatures, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Who vs. Whom
Two key rules for the SAT:
1. Use who before a verb.
2. Use whom after a preposition.
Incorrect: One of the pioneering computer scientists was Grace Hopper, whom developed the first compiler for a programming language.
Correct: One of the pioneering computer scientists was Grace Hopper, who developed the first compiler for a programming language.
Incorrect: The renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, with who many scientists collaborated, made groundbreaking discoveries about black holes.
Correct: The renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, with whom many scientists collaborated, made groundbreaking discoveries about black holes.
TTA Pro Mr. O Tip: "Of Whom"
A verb can follow "of whom" (e.g., "some of whom believe"). The use of "whom" is determined by the preposition "of", not the verb.
Where, When, and "Preposition + Which"
Where refers to places only. When refers to times and events only.
Preposition + which (e.g., in which, during which) can replace where or when.
Incorrect: The Renaissance was a period where art and science flourished in Europe.
Correct: The Renaissance was a period when/in which art and science flourished in Europe.
Tokyo is a city ___ advanced technology and ancient traditions coexist harmoniously.
Which phrase best completes the sentence?
Whereby
Whereby means "by which" or "according to which". It's typically used to introduce descriptions of systems, methods, or processes.
Photosynthesis is a process whereby plants convert light energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen as a byproduct.
Let's Try an Example On Your Own (Answers to the Right):
It is hard to live in Antarctica. The cold, dry environment provides the continent's soil-dwelling microbes few nutrients, little water, and almost no sunlight. In a 2017 study of these organisms, microbiologist Belinda Ferrari reported that ____ able to survive on a diet of atmospheric gases found in the soil.
