Antecedents of Pronouns
A pronoun is closely related to the noun it replaces. The noun that the pronoun takes the place of has a special
name. It is called the antecedent. **An antecedent is the noun (or group of words acting as a noun) for which a pronoun stands.
**Latin prefix "ante" means "before" and most antecedents do come before the pronouns that take their
place.
Example: My father opened his present first. He felt he couldn't wait any longer.
Father is the antecedent. His, he, and he are the pronouns.
Sometimes a pronoun will have no definite antecedent. Ex: Who will represent the class in the student council?
In the following sentences underline the pronouns and circle the antecedent.
1. There is a zoo in Arkansas that trains and houses a remarkable group of animals.
2. Visitors at the zoo can see such marvels as Bert Backquack and his all-duck band.
3. The zoo also includes among its residents a roller-skating parrot.
4. The trainers there believe that most animals behave intelligently if they are treated with respect.
5. Davy Crockett's tales made him a legend in his own time.
A pronoun is closely related to the noun it replaces. The noun that the pronoun takes the place of has a special
name. It is called the antecedent. **An antecedent is the noun (or group of words acting as a noun) for which a pronoun stands.
**Latin prefix "ante" means "before" and most antecedents do come before the pronouns that take their
place.
Example: My father opened his present first. He felt he couldn't wait any longer.
Father is the antecedent. His, he, and he are the pronouns.
Sometimes a pronoun will have no definite antecedent. Ex: Who will represent the class in the student council?
In the following sentences underline the pronouns and circle the antecedent.
1. There is a zoo in Arkansas that trains and houses a remarkable group of animals.
2. Visitors at the zoo can see such marvels as Bert Backquack and his all-duck band.
3. The zoo also includes among its residents a roller-skating parrot.
4. The trainers there believe that most animals behave intelligently if they are treated with respect.
5. Davy Crockett's tales made him a legend in his own time.