BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATBootcamp Starts Sep 21
Chris Peckover, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE BOOTCAMP

Live Online Bootcamp Class with Top GMAT Expert Chris Peckover

Sep 21 to Oct 9, 2026

Schedule
Mon to Fri · 7:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
Live classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Boost your GMAT score in less than one month in a live online class
  • 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included
View bootcamp & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Require clarifications on Pronoun reference.

Expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 46
Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:11 pm
Thanked: 1 times
by sathishkumarjva9888 » Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:13 am
Hi BTG Members,

Can you clarify me regarding one of the sentences provided in Manhattan SC guide.

The board is investigating several executives' compensation packages in order to determine how much may have been improperly awardedto THEM.

As per the book possessive nouns can serve as an antecedent only to possessive nouns.

So the answer has been given as,

The board is investigating the compensation packages of several executives in order to determine how much THESE EXECUTIVES may have been improperly awarded.

But i expected that eliminating possessive form of the noun is sufficient and predicted the answer to be, "The board is investigating the compensation packages of several executives in order to determine how much may have been improperly awardedto THEM."

Can someone explain whether my predication is correct or is it having pronoun ambiguity.

In my view, the pronoun 'THEM' could refer only to executives and not to packages because "how much may have been improperly awardedto PACKAGES" doesnt sound good.

Else, is the pronoun 'THEM' tends to refer to 'The board'.

Awaiting better clarifications.

Regards,
Sathish.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1239
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:25 amFollowed by: 26 members
Thanked: 233 times
GMAT Score:680

by sam2304 » Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:31 am
Pronouns cannot refer to nouns in a prepositional phrase. So 'THEM' in your sentence actually doesn't have an antecedent as far as i know. :)
Getting defeated is just a temporary notion, giving it up is what makes it permanent.
https://gmatandbeyond.blogspot.in/
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 amFollowed by: 14 members
Thanked: 105 times

by vikram4689 » Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:27 am
Sam,
Pronoun can refer to object of prepositional phrase.
e.g. i tried to hold the tail of snake but it bit/stung me

Satish,
the pronoun 'THEM' could refer only to executives and not to packages because "how much may have been improperly awardedto PACKAGES" doesnt sound good.
You are correct, THEM unambiguously refer to executives. THEM cannot refer to packages or board because THEM is 3rd PERSON PLURAL PERSONAL pronoun can refer to HUMANS
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1