Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement on the SAT
The Easy Points You Might Be Missing
Master sentence structure, punctuation, and clarity with repeatable rules.
Guard the Sentence Core
Identify the subject and verb, then make sure punctuation does not split them or add extra ideas.
- Find the subject + verb first. That is the sentence core.
- Only add commas around extra information, never inside the core.
- Re-read the sentence without the modifier to test clarity.
Why Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Matters on the SAT
Nearly every SAT Reading and Writing module includes pronoun-antecedent agreement questions, and the patterns behind them are predictable enough that you can learn to spot them in seconds. That moment of hesitation you feel when deciding whether to write "they" or "it" to refer back to a noun means you already grasp the concept on an intuitive level; sharpening that instinct for test day is all that remains. With only a small amount of focused practice, this category becomes one of the most reliable sources of easy points.
What Is Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement?
Let's break the term down. A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun so you don't have to repeat it, words like he, she, it, they, this, and which. The antecedent is the noun the pronoun replaces. Pronoun-antecedent agreement simply means the pronoun must match its antecedent in number, singular with singular, plural with plural.
Here's what that looks like:
- "The dog wagged its tail.", "Dog" is singular, so we use the singular pronoun "its."
- "The students submitted their essays.", "Students" is plural, so we use the plural pronoun "their."
Simple enough in these examples. But the SAT doesn't test the simple cases. It tests the ones that trip people up.
The Rules That Matter Most on the SAT
You don't need to memorize every grammar rule ever written. For the SAT, there are a handful of patterns that come up again and again:
- Indefinite pronouns are singular. Words like each, every, everyone, everybody, anyone, nobody, and someone are all singular, even though they seem to refer to groups of people. This is the single most tested pattern.
- Two nouns joined by "and" are plural. "The teacher and the principal submitted their reports", straightforward.
- "Or" and "nor", match the closer noun. In constructions like "Neither the captain nor the players brought their gear," the pronoun matches "players" (the noun closer to the verb), which is plural.
- Collective nouns are singular. On the SAT, words like team, committee, orchestra, and company are treated as singular when the group acts as one unit.
Common Misconceptions About Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
The biggest one: students assume "they" can replace any noun. In everyday conversation, saying "each student should bring their laptop" sounds perfectly natural. But on the SAT, if the antecedent is singular, like "each student", the formally correct pronoun is also singular. Don't let your ear override the grammar rule on test day.
Another trap: "it" isn't always safe. If there are two singular nouns in a sentence, using "it" can create ambiguous reference, and the SAT tests that, too. The pronoun must point to one clear antecedent.
A SAT-Specific Strategy for Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Here's a three-step approach that works every time:
- Find the underlined pronoun. The answer choices will typically swap between singular and plural pronouns (or between a pronoun and a full noun phrase).
- Trace it back to the antecedent. Ask: what noun is this pronoun replacing? Don't be fooled by words that sit between the antecedent and the pronoun, the SAT loves to wedge prepositional phrases and relative clauses in between to make you lose track.
- Check for number agreement. Is the antecedent singular or plural? Pick the pronoun that matches.
Time-saving tip: When you see words like "each," "every," "anyone," or "the committee" near a question's underlined section, mentally flag them. These are the antecedents the SAT loves to test, and identifying them quickly makes elimination fast.
Practice Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement with SAT-Style Questions
Now let's put this into practice. These questions move from easy to medium difficulty, just like you'd encounter on the real test. For each one, find the antecedent, check the number, and pick the pronoun that agrees.
Which choice best maintains grammatical agreement?
Which choice correctly refers to the antecedent?
Does the underlined pronoun agree with its antecedent?
Which choice ensures pronoun-antecedent agreement?
Which choice correctly refers to the antecedent?
Key Takeaways for Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
- Always find the antecedent first. Before evaluating the pronoun, trace back to the noun it replaces and determine whether that noun is singular or plural. This single step eliminates most wrong answers.
- Watch for SAT trap words. "Each," "every," "anyone," "nobody," and "someone" are singular, even when the sentence talks about a group of people. The SAT counts on you thinking they're plural.
- "Or" and "nor", match the closer noun. In constructions with "or" or "nor," the pronoun agrees with whichever noun is nearer to the verb, not the first one listed.
- Collective nouns are singular on the SAT. Teams, committees, companies, and orchestras act as one unit unless the sentence specifically emphasizes individual members acting independently.
Conclusion: The Core Rule for Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun-antecedent agreement is one of the most learnable grammar rules on the SAT, once you know the patterns, you'll start spotting these questions before you even finish reading the answer choices. The strategy is always the same: find the antecedent, check its number, and pick the pronoun that matches. Practice that three-step process a few more times, and these points are yours for the taking.
Remember: Find the antecedent, check the number, match the pronoun. Three steps, every time, and the points add up fast.
