MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Writing Practice Test

What is the term for the noun that a pronoun replaces, usually preceding it?

1. Subject

2. Object

3. Antecedent

4. Complement

The correct answer is: Antecedent

The term for the noun that a pronoun replaces is known as the antecedent. An antecedent provides context and clarity for the pronoun that follows, ensuring that the reader can identify which noun is being referred to. For example, in the sentence "Sara lost her book," the noun "Sara" is the antecedent for the pronoun "her." This relationship is essential for understanding the sentence's meaning, as it connects the pronoun back to the specific noun it represents. Other terms like subject, object, and complement refer to different grammatical roles within a sentence, but do not specifically denote the noun that a pronoun substitutes or stands for. Understanding antecedents is fundamental to grasping the cohesive flow in both writing and speaking.