Pronoun Errors Exercise
Supply the correct reflexive, intensive, or reciprocal pronoun.
- If you want something done right, you have to do it _____.
Answer: Yourself (intensive, referring to you)
- Margaret and Tim bumped into_____ in the hallway.
Answer: Each other or one another (reciprocal, referring to Margaret and Tim)
- I think we should take _____ out to dinner tonight.
Answer: Ourselves (reflexive, referring to we). Each other or one another would also be acceptable.
- I _____ would not want to take such a risk, but you must do what you think is best.
Answer: Myself (intensive, referring to I)
- He talked _____ into auditioning for the play.
Answer: Himself (reflexive, referring to he)
- In my family, we know we can rely on ____ for support.
Answer: One another or each other (reciprocal, referring to the members of my family)
- Sarah taught _____ to play the piano.
Answer: Herself (reflexive, referring to Sarah)
- Because Mike was ill, Elizabeth had to finish the gardening _____.
Answer: Herself (intensive, referring to Elizabeth)
- When you talk to _____, do you get an answer?
Answer: Yourself (reflexive, referring to you)
- Aaron has turned _____ into an expert potter.
Answer: Himself (reflexive, referring to Aaron)
Rewrite the following sentences to avoid the use of a “generic he.”
- Anyone who wants to attend must complete his registration by Friday.
Answer: Any employees who want to attend must complete their registration by Friday.
- A careful painter will make sure he cleans his brushes after each use.
Answer: Careful painters will make sure they clean their brushes after each use.
- Without good study skills, a student may find himself overwhelmed by his assignments.
Answer: Without good study skills, students may find themselves overwhelmed by their assignments.
Choose the correct verb form to agree with the indefinite pronoun.
- Many finish/finishes the marathon, but some do/does not.
Answer: finish, do. (Many and some are plural.)
- Everyone who want/wants to come is/are welcome.
Answer: wants, is. (Everyone is singular.)
- Until all agree/agrees on a verdict, the jury will continue to deliberate.
Answer: agree. (All is plural.)
Supply the correct verb form to agree with the indefinite pronoun.
- Everybody say/says that new movie is great.
Answer: Says (Everybody is singular.)
- If no one volunteer/volunteers, then we will have to do the work.
Answer: Volunteers (No one is singular.)
- Is/Are the others coming with you?
Answer: Are (Others is plural.)
- Most is/are coming, but not all.
Answer: Are (Most is plural, as is all.)
- Both was/were involved in the accident.
Answer: Were (Both is plural.)
- Is/Are anyone at home?
Answer: Is (Anyone is singular.)
- Some is/are going to disagree, but I think the plan is good.
Answer: Are (Some is plural.)
- Everyone struggle/struggles when learning a new language.
Answer: Struggles (Everyone is singular.)
- If someone ask/asks for me, please tell me immediately.
Answer: Asks (Someone is singular.)
.Supply the correct interrogative pronoun.
- _____ will be driving the bus?
Answer: who (referring to a person)
- _____ can we do to help you?
Answer: what (referring to a general concept)
- _____ woman in the photo is your mother?
Answer: which (referring to one out of a group)
- _____ did Mr. Montoya hire to replace me?
Answer: Whom (referring to a person, object of the verb hire)
- _____ is the solution?
Answer: What (referring to a general concept)
- _____ of these chairs would look best in our living room?
Answer: Which (referring to one out of a group of chairs)
- _____ needs a ride to the basketball game?
Answer: Who (referring to a person, subject of the verb needs)
- _____ student was chosen as class president?
Answer: Which (referring to one specific student)
- _____ do you want for your birthday?
Answer: What (referring to a thing)
- _____ will speak at the conference?
Answer: Who (referring to a person, subject of the verb will speak)
- _____ happened after I left?
Answer: What (referring to an unknown occurrence)
- _____ can I trust with this information?
Answer: Whom (referring to a person, object of the verb can trust)
- _____ cat is the friendliest one?
Answer: Which (referring to one cat out of several)
Supply the missing pronouns.
- Mary and Liam are dance partners. ______ entered a dance contest, but first prize did not go to _____.
Answer: They, them
- Mrs. Dvorak made ______ a cup of coffee.
Answer: Herself
- I need your opinion about some birdhouses I am making. Do you think ______ birdhouses are large enough? What about _____?
Answer: These, those
- The surprise party ______ you threw for Jennifer was a big success. ______ are you going to do for ______ this year?
Answer: That, what, her
- Mr. Lopez organizes trips for students ______ want to see the United States. The students ______ you met at the train station were friends of ______.
Answer: Who, whom, his
- ______ is my favorite television show. I enjoy shows ______ make me think.
Answer: This or that, that or which
- ______ students are entering the speech contest? ______ will they speak about?
Answer: Which, what
- Juan and Margo are dating. ______ often go out with ______.
Answer: They, each other or one another
- I cut ______ on some broken glass in the kitchen. Do not go in there until I clean ______ up.
Answer: Myself, it
- ______ is a great opportunity. ______ will be able to turn it down.
Answer: This or that, no one or nobody
Select the correct case for the pronoun.
- Mr. Leon assigned the case to Irene and I/me.
Answer: Me
- It was he/him who/whom you met in the park.
Answer: He, whom
- Tell they/them to hurry up. They/them are about to be late.
Answer: Them, they
- The artist who/whom made this necklace for I/me is now famous.
Answer: Who, me
- The police officer who/whom found Mike and I/me in the alley thought that we/us were burglars.
Answer: Who, me, we
Supply the missing relative pronouns.
- Where is the book _____ you borrowed?
Answer: That or which
- The salespeople _____ sell the most units will get a bonus.
Answer: Who or that
- There is the man _____ dog bit me.
Answer: Whose
- If there is anyone _____ you want to meet, I will introduce you.
Answer: Whom or that
- The tenants _____ apartments were damaged by the smoke had to stay in a hotel.
Answer: Whose
Determine whether the following sentences contain errors and correct any you find.
- Who will benefit from the new tax laws?
Answer: No errors.
- Us fans must support our team.
Answer: We fans must support our team.
- Mark or Greg will give their support to our proposal.
Answer: Mark or Greg will give his support to our proposal.
- They will give theirselves a headache listening to such loud music.
Answer: They will give themselves a headache listening to such loud music.
- Anyone what says I was not at the meeting is mistaken.
Answer: Anyone who says I was not at the meeting is mistaken.
- If your going to the concert, can I go along?
Answer: If you’re going to the concert, can I go along?
- Michaela’s mother is the woman who I most admire.
Answer: Michaela’s mother is the woman whom I most admire.
- We will meet she and Tim at the restaurant at seven o’clock.
Answer: We will meet her and Tim at the restaurant at 7 o’clock.
- People which have seen the new building are impressed.
Answer: People who have seen the new building are impressed.
- I lost my notes, so I had to borrow their’s.
Answer: I lost my notes, so I had to borrow theirs.