These stimuli were used in the following experiment:
GERNSBACHER, M. A. (1991). Comprehending conceptual anaphors. Language and Cognitive Processes, 6(2), 81-105. [view PDF]

 

MISMATCHES
PLURAL –> SINGULAR
COLLECTIVE NOUNS VS ONE MEMBER OF THE COLLECTIVE SET

1. That ad was paid for by the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
They often sponsor public service announcements.

That ad was paid for by the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
It often sponsors public service announcements.

That ad was paid for by the minister of our church.
They often sponsor public service announcements.

That ad was paid for by the minister of our church.
He often sponsors public service announcements.

 

2. The substitute teacher begged the class to stop misbehaving.
But they didn’t pay any attention to her.

The substitute teacher begged the class to stop misbehaving.
But it didn’t pay any attention to her.

The substitute teacher begged the student to stop misbehaving.
But they didn’t pay any attention to her.

The substitute teacher begged the student to stop misbehaving.
But he didn’t pay any attention to her.

 

3. I need to call the garage where I left my car to get it serviced.
They said they’d have it ready by five o’clock.

I need to call the garage where I left my car to get it serviced.
It said it would have it ready by five o’clock.

I need to call the mechanic at the garage where I left my car to get it serviced.
They said they’d have it ready by five o’clock.

I need to call the mechanic at the garage where I left my car to get it serviced.
He said he’d have it ready by five o’clock.

 

4. Precisely at two o’clock, the work crew took a break.
But they were back on the job in fifteen minutes.

Precisely at two o’clock, the work crew took a break.
But it was back on the job in fifteen minutes.

Precisely at two o’clock, the foreman of the work crew took a break.
But they were back on the job in fifteen minutes.

Precisely at two o’clock, the foreman of the work crew took a break.
But he was back on the job in fifteen minutes.

 

5. I got a notice from my Homeowner’s Association.
They wanted to tell me that my monthly membership fee was late.

I got a notice from my Homeowner’s Association.
It wanted to tell me that my monthly membership fee was late.

I got a notice from the treasurer of my Homeowner’s Association.
They wanted to tell me that my monthly membership fee was late.

I got a notice from the treasurer of my Homeowner’s Association.
He wanted to tell me that my monthly membership fee was late.

 

6. I need to call the phone company.
They made a mistake on my bill.

I need to call the phone company.
It made a mistake on my bill.

I need to call the serviceman who came out to fix my telephone last week.
They made a mistake on my bill.

I need to call the serviceman who came out to fix my telephone last week.
He made a mistake on my bill.

 

7. The letter to the editor was signed by the Moral Majority.
They believe that abortion is murder.

The letter to the editor was signed by the Moral Majority.
It believes that abortion is murder.

*The letter to the editor was signed by the leader of the Moral Majority, Jerry Falwell.
They believe that abortion is murder.

*The letter to the editor was signed by the leader of the Moral Majority, Jerry Falwell.
He believes that abortion is murder.

 

8. Last night we went to hear a new jazz band.
They played for nearly five hours.

Last night we went to hear a new jazz band.
It played for nearly five hours.

Last night we went to hear a new jazz guitarist.
They played for nearly five hours.

Last night we went to hear a new jazz guitarist.
He played for nearly five hours.

 

9. I wanted to know if Sears had any size sixteen hiking boots.
But they said they didn’t.

I wanted to know if Sears had any size sixteen hiking boots.
But it said it didn’t.

I wanted to know if the sales clerk at Sears had any size sixteen hiking boots.
But they said they didn’t.

I wanted to know if the sales clerk at Sears had any size sixteen hiking boots.
But he said he didn’t.

 

10. The motion was defeated by the City Council.
And they didn’t even tell the public why.

The motion was defeated by the City Council.
And it didn’t even tell the public why.

The motion was defeated by one member of the City Council.
And they didn’t even tell the public why.

The motion was defeated by one member of the City Council.
And he didn’t even tell the public why.

 

11. After college, my sister went to work for IBM.
They made her a very good offer.

After college, my sister went to work for IBM.
It made her a very good offer.

After college, my sister went to work for the vice president of IBM.
They made her a very good offer.

After college, my sister went to work for the vice president of IBM.
He made her a very good offer.

 

12. The coach gave the team a very serious pep talk.
They listened to him without saying a word.

The coach gave the team a very serious pep talk.
It listened to him without saying a word.

The coach gave the quarterback a very serious pep talk.
They listened to him without saying a word.

The coach gave the quarterback a very serious pep talk.
He listened to him without saying a word.

 

* 13. ? My cousin is an identical twin.
People are always getting confused by them.

My cousin is an identical twin.
People are always getting confused by him.

My cousin is a very old looking thirteen-year old.
People are always getting confused by them.

My cousin is a very old looking thirteen-year old.
People are always getting confused by him.

 

14. The Muscular Dystrophy Association is holding another telethon this year.
They hope that this one will raise even more money than last year’s.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is holding another telethon.
It hopes that this one will raise even more money than last year’s.

Jerry Lewis is holding another telethon.
They hope that this one will raise even more money than last year’s.

Jerry Lewis is holding another telethon.
He hopes that this one will raise even more money than last year’s

 

* 15. I just finished cooking the sausage.
If you come right away, they will still be hot.

I just finished cooking the sausage.
If you come right away, it will still be hot.

I just finished cooking the oatmeal.
If you come right away, they will still be hot.

I just finished cooking the oatmeal.
If you come right away, it will still be hot.

 

16. You wouldn’t believe how bad it is to work for the city of Eugene.
They can never tell you whether your job will be covered in the next month’s budget.

You wouldn’t believe how bad it is to work for the city of Eugene.
It can never tell you whether your job will be covered in the next month’s budget.

You wouldn’t believe how bad it is to work for the mayor of Eugene.
They can never tell you whether your job will be covered in the next month’s budget.

You wouldn’t believe how bad it is to work for the mayor of Eugene.
He can never tell you whether your job will be covered in the next month’s budget.

 

GENERIC TYPE VERSUS A SPECIFIC TOKEN

? 1. Jimmy wanted to go see a horror movie.
But he always gets nightmares after seeing them.

Jimmy wanted to go see a horror movie.
But he always gets nightmares after seeing it.

Jimmy wanted to go see a horror movie that’s been on at the Bijou all summer.
But he always gets nightmares after seeing them.

Jimmy wanted to go see a horror movie that’s been on at the Bijou all summer.
But he always gets nightmares after seeing it.

 

2. I’ve always enjoyed having a pet.
They are such good companions.

I’ve always enjoyed having a pet.
He is such a good companion.

I’ve always enjoyed having a pet canary named “Chatty”.
They are such good companions.

I’ve always enjoyed having a pet canary named “Chatty”.
He is such a good companion.

 

* 3. We’re considering whether we should send our son to a private school next year.
We think they’re substantially better than public schools.

We’re considering whether we should send our son to a private school next year.
We think it’s substantially better than public schools.

We’re considering whether we should send our son to a very expensive private school in Boston next year.
We think they’re substantially better than public schools.

We’re considering whether we should send our son to a very expensive private school in Boston next year.
We think it’s substantially better than public schools.

 

4. Carla is downstairs watching a soap opera.
If she had her way, she’d watch them all afternoon.

Carla is downstairs watching a soap opera.
If she had it her way, she’d watch it all afternoon.

Carla is downstairs watching a soap opera that stars Michael Lewis.
If she had her way, she’d watch them all afternoon.

Carla is downstairs watching a soap opera that stars Michael Lewis.
If she had her way, she’d watch it all afternoon.

 

* 5. Judith just bought a gossip magazine.
I’d never spend my hard-earned money on them.

Judith just bought a gossip magazine.
I’d never spend my hard-earned money on it.

Judith just bought a National Enquirer that has a big story about Elizabeth Taylor.
I’d never spend my hard-earned money on them.

Judith just bought a National Enquirer that has a big story about Elizabeth Taylor.
I’d never spend my hard-earned money on it.

 

6. I’m seriously considering buying a videocassette recorder.
Finally I think they’ve gotten cheap enough that I can’t resist.

I’m seriously considering buying a videocassette recorder.
Finally I think it’s gotten cheap enough that I can’t resist.

* I’m seriously considering buying a videocassette recorder that’s on sale at Smith’s Home and Furniture Store.
Finally I think they’ve gotten cheap enough that I can’t resist.

* I’m seriously considering buying a videocassette recorder that’s on sale at Smith’s Home and Furniture Store.
Finally I think it’s gotten cheap enough that I can’t resist.

 

* 7. I always try to carry a pen.
But I have a bad habit of setting them down and forgetting to pick them up.

I always try to carry a pen.
But I have a bad habit of setting it down and forgetting to pick it up.

I always try to carry a Cross pen that I got for my high school graduation.
But I have a bad habit of setting them down and forgetting to pick them up.

I always try to carry a Cross pen that I got for my high school graduation.
But I have a bad habit of setting it down and forgetting to pick it up.

 

* 8. My neighbor rides a moped.
I think they’re really dangerous.

My neighbor rides a moped.
I think it’s really dangerous.

My neighbor rides a moped, which doesn’t even have a light.
I think they’re really dangerous.

My neighbor rides a moped, which doesn’t even have a light.
I think it’s really dangerous.

 

9. The policeman was very friendly.
They always are in small towns.

The policeman was very friendly.
He always is in small towns.

The Pope was very friendly.
They always are in small towns.

The Pope was very friendly.
He always is in small towns.

 

? 10. Don’t ever buy a Fiat.
You’ll have a hard time ever getting them serviced properly.

Don’t ever buy a Fiat.
You’ll have a hard time ever getting it serviced properly.

Don’t ever buy a used car from the Hank Jones’s dealership.
You’ll have a hard time ever getting them serviced properly.

Don’t ever buy a used car from the Hank Jones’s dealership.
You’ll have a hard time ever getting it serviced properly.

 

* 11. I’m thinking about buying a Macintosh computer.
They’re supposed to be very easy to learn to use.

I’m thinking about buying a Macintosh computer.
It’s supposed to be very easy to learn to use.

I’m thinking about buying a computer that my roommate used to own.
They’re supposed to be very easy to learn to use.

I’m thinking about buying a computer that my roommate used to own.
It’s supposed to be very easy to learn to use.

 

12. I think I’ll order a frozen margarita.
I just love them.

I think I’ll order a frozen margarita.
I just love it.

*I think I’ll order a glass of house wine.
I just love them.

*I think I’ll order a glass of house wine.
I just love it.

 

* 13. My brother likes to shop at a health food store.
In fact, they’re the only grocery stores he’ll shop at.

My brother likes to shop at a health food store.
In fact, it’s the only grocery store he’ll shop at.

My brother likes to shop at a health food store on West 16th.
In fact, they’re the only grocery stores he’ll shop at.

My brother likes to shop at a health food store on West 16th Street.
In fact, it’s the only grocery store he’ll shop at.

 

* 14. Eugene is where you can find a good road race.
A lot of people usually come out to run in them.

Eugene is where you can find a good road race.
A lot of people usually come out to run in it.

Eugene is where you can find a good 10K road race on the Fourth of July.
A lot of people usually come out to run in them.

Eugene is where you can find a good 10K road race on the Fourth of July.
A lot of people usually come out to run in it.

 

15. A lot of people wear a Sony walkman.
Sometimes they are so loud that they can even be heard by other people as well.

A lot of people wear a Sony walkman.
Sometimes it is so loud that it can even be heard by other people as well.

My roommate wears a Sony walkman.
Sometimes they are so loud that they can even be heard by other people as well.

My roommate wears a Sony walkman.
Sometimes it is so loud that it can even be heard by other people as well.

 

16. I’m craving a diet soft drink.
I think I must be addicted to them.

I’m craving a diet soft drink.
I think I must be addicted to it.

I’m craving a diet Coke with a twist of lime.
I think I must be addicted to them.

I’m craving a diet Coke with a twist of lime.
I think I must be addicted to it.

 

THINGS THAT YOU HAVE SEVERAL OF (OR MAKE SEVERAL TIMES) VS THINGS THAT YOU NORMALLY HAVE ONLY ONE OF (OR MAKE ONLY ONCE).

* 1. I’ve misplaced my homework assignment again.
I wished I was (I really should be) better at keeping up with them.

I’ve misplaced my homework assignment again.
I wished I was (I really should be) better at keeping up with it.

I’ve misplaced my wallet again.
I wished I was (I really should be) better at keeping up with them.

I’ve misplaced my wallet again.
I wished I was (I really should be) better at keeping up with it.

 

* 2. I asked Jeff to go look for a light bulb.
But he couldn’t figure out where I kept them.

I asked Jeff to go look for a light bulb.
But he couldn’t figure out where I kept it.

I asked Jeff to go look for a stepladder.
But he couldn’t figure out where I kept them.

I asked Jeff to go look for a stepladder.
But he couldn’t figure out where I kept it.

 

3. Sally is sitting over there eating a candy bar.
She could eat them all day and not get fat.

Sally is sitting over there eating a candy bar.
She could eat it all day and not get fat.

Sally is sitting over there eating her birthday cake.
She could eat them all day and not get fat.

Sally is sitting over there eating her birthday cake.
She could eat it all day and not get fat.

 

4. Jennifer needed an egg for the recipe.
But we were all out of them.

Jennifer needed an egg for the recipe.
But we were all out of it.

Jennifer needed a particular spice for the recipe.
But we were all out of them.

Jennifer needed a particular spice for the recipe.
But we were all out of it.

 

5. I’m suffering from a summer cold.
They are so hard to get rid of.

I’m suffering from a summer cold.
It is so hard to get rid of.

I’m suffering from a bizarre rash on my stomach.
They are so hard to get rid of.

I’m suffering from a bizarre rash on my stomach.
It is so hard to get rid of.

 

6. I really need a cigarette.
I wonder who’s open that sells them this late at night?

I really need a cigarette.
I wonder who’s open that sells it this late at night?

I really need a tank of gas.
I wonder who’s open that sells them this late at night?

I really need a tank of gas.
I wonder who’s open that sells it this late at night?

 

7. Yesterday was my birthday.
I used to really dread them, but yesterday I didn’t care.

Yesterday was my birthday.
I used to really dread it, but yesterday I didn’t care.

Yesterday was my thirtieth birthday.
I used to really dread them, but yesterday I didn’t care.

Yesterday was my thirtieth birthday.
I used to really dread it, but yesterday I didn’t care.

 

? 8. Every morning, after my husband showers, he just drops his towel on the floor.
You’d think after fifteen years he’d learn how to hang them up.

Every morning, after my husband showers, he just drops his towel on the floor.
You’d think after fifteen years he’d learn how to hang it up.

Every morning, after my husband showers, he just drops his robe on the floor.
You’d think after fifteen years he’d learn how to hang them up.

Every morning, after my husband showers, he just drops his robe on the floor.
You’d think after fifteen years he’d learn how to hang it up.

 

9. I need a plate.
Where do you keep them?

I need a plate.
Where do you keep it?

I need an iron.
Where do you keep them?

I need an iron.
Where do you keep it?

 

* 10. I just spilled something. Would you go get me a paper towel?
They’re in the kitchen.

I just spilled something. Would you go get me a paper towel?
It’s in the kitchen.

I just spilled something. Would you go get me a mop?
They’re in the kitchen.

I just spilled something. Would you go get me a mop?
It’s in the kitchen.

 

* 11. I just broke my fingernail again.
I don’t know why they break so often.

I just broke my fingernail again.
I don’t know why it breaks so often.

I just broke my vacuum cleaner again.
I don’t know why they break so often.

I just broke my vacuum cleaner again.
I don’t know why it breaks so often.

 

? 12. I can’t find the mate to this sock.
I wonder where they always disappear to.

I can’t find the mate to this sock.
I wonder where it always disappears to.

I can’t find the phone book.
I wonder where they always disappear to.

I can’t find the phone book.
I wonder where it always disappears to.

 

13. Do you know where I can get a blank diskette?
I never seem to have enough of them.

Do you know where I can get a blank diskette?
I never seem to have enough of it.

Do you know where I can get a roll of dental floss?
I never seem to have enough of them.

Do you know where I can get a roll of dental floss?
I never seem to have enough of it.

 

14. My grandmother asked me to send her a 100% cotton sheet.
She can’t get them in Arizona.

My grandmother asked me to send her a 100% cotton sheet.
She can’t get it in Arizona.

My grandmother asked me to send her a box of herbal tea.
She can’t get them in Arizona.

My grandmother asked me to send her a box of herbal tea.
She can’t get it in Arizona.

 

15. Marcy was proud to make the highest grade–an A+–in one of her college courses.
She doesn’t make them very often.

Marcy was proud to make the highest grade–an A+–in one of her college courses.
She doesn’t make it very often.

Marcy was proud to make the Freshman Honor Roll at her college.
She doesn’t make them very often.

Marcy was proud to make the Freshman Honor Roll at her college.
She doesn’t make it very often.

 

16. I think I must have finally passed Professor Jones’s weekly math quiz.
They are so hard.

I think I must have finally passed Professor Jones’s weekly math quiz.
It is so hard.

I think I must have finally passed Professor Jones’s advanced calculus course.
They are so hard.

I think I must have finally passed Professor Jones’s advanced calculus course.
It is so hard.