51Let’s take a look at some sentences that are testing Pronoun Agreement:
A student must put any books they don’t need for class in their locker.
What are the pronouns in the sentence? they and their
Are these pronouns singular or plural? plural
What do these pronouns refer to? student
Do the pronouns match the noun they are referring to? Nope. “Student” is singular so they and their should be
changed to he or she and his or her. You can actually just pick the gender and stick with it.
Revised sentence: A student must put any books he does not need for class in his locker.
Notice how the plural “do” is changed to the singular “does.”
Often, Pronoun Agreement and SVA are tested together.
Take a look at this one: Everybody must be careful when they cross the street.
What are the pronouns in the sentence? everybody and they
Are these pronouns singular or plural? everybody is singular and they is plural
What do these pronouns refer to? they refers to everybody
Do the pronouns match the noun they are referring to? Nope. “Everybody” is singular, so they should be
changed to he or she.
Revised sentence: Everybody must be careful when she crosses the street.
We’ve also changed the plural “cross” to a singular “crosses.”
Another trick ETS implements when it comes to pronoun agreement
is the interchange between one, we, and you.
ETS might start with “you” and then switch to “one” or “we” later in the sentence. In that case, the pronouns
don’t agree. You must use the same pronoun throughout!
Take a look at the following examples:
If you want to get good grades, one has to study.
What are the pronouns in the sentence? one and you
Do they agree? Nope. Change the one to you or vice versa.
Revised sentence: If you want to get good grades, you have to study.