Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

In grammar, what is the term used to describe the word that the pronoun is replacing?

1. Precedent

2. Conjunction

3. Antecedent

4. Modifier

The correct answer is: Antecedent

The term used to describe the word that a pronoun is replacing is "antecedent." In grammar, an antecedent is a noun or a noun phrase that provides the reference point for a subsequent pronoun. For instance, in the sentence "Mary lost her keys," the pronoun "her" refers back to the antecedent "Mary." Understanding the relationship between pronouns and their antecedents is essential for maintaining clarity and coherence in writing because it ensures that readers can easily understand to whom or what a pronoun refers. The other terms listed do not accurately describe this relationship. A precedent typically refers to a previous case or standard that serves as a guideline; conjunctions are words that connect clauses or sentences; and modifiers provide additional information about a noun or verb. This distinction helps clarify how pronouns function within sentences and emphasizes the importance of identifying antecedents for effective communication.