What is the antecedent of the pronoun they?

Question

English settlers built forts and towns, but they also established farms.

1.forts
2.settlers
3.towns
4.farms

Answer 1

An antecedent is the word the pronoun is replacing.

 

In the sentence English settlers built forts and towns, bu they also established farms. The pronoun is "they".  Using the context of the sentence, forts and towns would not establish farms so the correct answer is settlers.

Answer 2

Hi Kevin;

2. settlers

The word they refers to the settlers in the preceding phrase.