Using Clear Pronoun Reference

What does reference mean?

Ambiguous reference

General reference

Weak reference

Indefinite reference

Review A

Review B

What does reference mean?

A reference is a way of pointing out a connection between two things.

What does reference mean?

A pronoun stands for, or refers to, another word or word group, called the antecedent.

The guide showed the tourists where they should meet the bus.

theytourists

PronounAntecedent

Think of the arrow as the reference, or the connection, between the pronoun and its antecedent.

What does reference mean?

Generally, the meaning of a pronoun is clear only when the antecedent is known.

Van’s idea sounds great. It will appeal to most students.

Itidea

PronounAntecedent

The meaning of it is clear because we know it refers to the word idea.

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Ambiguous reference

A pronoun should refer clearly to its antecedent.

An ambiguous reference occurs when any one of two or more words can be a pronoun’s antecedent.

Ambiguous reference

When Jim finally met my father, he had plenty to say.

Who had plenty to say, Jim or the father?

To correct an ambiguous reference, change the wording so that the pronoun clearly refers to just one antecedent.

Ambiguous reference

When Jim finally met my father, he had plenty to say.

Clear reference

When he finally met my father, Jim had plenty to say.

When Jim finally met him, my father had plenty to say.

Clear reference

Ambiguous reference

Ambiguous reference

Lisa saw Sara while she was in El Paso.

Clear reference

While Sara was in El Paso, Lisa saw her.

Clear reference

Who was in El Paso, Lisa or Sara?While Lisa was in El Paso, she saw Sara.

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A general reference is the use of a pronoun that refers to a general idea rather than a specific antecedent.

General reference

I found out Jeremy had already been to Gettysburg. That surprised me.

That has no specific antecedent.

General reference

Avoiding general references makes your writing clearer and easier to understand.

To correct a general reference, reword the sentence to avoid using the pronoun.

General reference

Clear I was surprised when I found out Jeremy had already been to Gettysburg.

General reference

I found out Jeremy had already been to Gettysburg. That surprised me.

Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference errors are it, that, this, and which.

General reference

Add some bananas and honey to plain yogurt. It makes a delicious and healthy snack.

General reference

Adding some bananas and honey to plain yogurt makes a delicious and healthy snack.

Clear

Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference errors are it, that, this, and which.

General reference

General reference

The bridge was damaged. That made commuting difficult.

Clear The damage to the bridge made commuting difficult.

Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference errors are it, that, this, and which.

General reference

General reference

Clear

The shuttle launch was postponed. This was a disappointment to the astronauts.

The astronauts were disappointed when the shuttle launch was postponed.

General reference

Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference errors are it, that, this, and which.

General reference

My alarm did not go off, which means I’ll be late for school again.

Clear My alarm did not go off, so I’ll be late for school again.

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Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun reference.

1. Pat made a shot at the last second. That made the fans go wild.

2. Grace visits her neighbor when she gets home from work.

3. Before introducing the speaker, the principal mentioned his latest book.

4. The rain had stopped by morning, which was a relief.

5. Dr. Sanchez works long hours and has many responsibilities, but she says it doesn’t bother her.

On Your Own

Using clear pronoun reference

Weak reference

A weak reference occurs when a pronoun refers to an antecedent that has been suggested but not expressed. If the reader or listener can’t link the pronoun to the antecedent, meaning may be misunderstood.

Weak reference

After winning the soccer match, they gave the coach a gift.

The antecedent players is suggested but not expressed by the use of the pronoun they.

Revise sentences to eliminate weak pronoun references.

Weak reference

Clear After winning the soccer match, the players gave the coach a gift.

Weak reference

After winning the soccer match, they gave the coach a gift.

Weak reference

Clear Charles Dickens wrote many great books, and this is one of his best.

Charles Dickens was a great writer, and this is one of his best.

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An indefinite reference is the use of a pronoun that refers to no particular person or thing and that is unnecessary to the meaning of the sentence.

Indefinite reference

In the newspaper, it reported that the robbers had been caught.

The pronoun it is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

Indefinite reference

To correct an indefinite reference, reword the sentence to avoid using the pronoun.

Indefinite reference

In the newspaper, it reported that the robbers had been caught.

Clear The newspaper reported that the robbers had been caught.

Indefinite reference

Most indefinite-reference errors are caused by the misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you.

Indefinite reference

In this book it explains how car engines work.

Indefinite reference

Clear This book explains how car engines work.

Most indefinite-reference errors are caused by the misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you.

Indefinite reference

Indefinite reference

Clear

In the movie they portray the aliens as violent creatures.

The movie portrays the aliens as violent creatures.

Most indefinite-reference errors are caused by the misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you.

Indefinite reference

Indefinite reference

During the Middle Ages, you very likely would not live past the age of thirty.

Clear During the Middle Ages, a person very likely would not live past the age of thirty.

The pronoun you does not refer to the reader and does not have a specific antecedent.

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Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun reference.

1. On the time line they show when the borders were changed.

2. I like hockey, but I’ve never been to one.

3. Dentists should listen to what you say.

4. In the article it includes details about the Egyptian pyramids.

5. I dropped the cup, and it splashed all over the floor.

On Your Own

Using clear pronoun reference

Review A

In each sentence, identify the pronoun that has an unclear reference.

1. The math test is tomorrow, which is why they will be studying tonight.

2. Becky called Maria when she got home from the library.

3. Lola enjoys her mountain bike and says it is her favorite pastime.

4. In this film they show the challenges of frontier living.

5. On the radio it said that afternoon thunderstorms were likely.

Review B

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1. Most people prefer loyal friends, but some people think it is not important.

2. Do not leave the bag open. It will cause the rolls to dry out.

3. On that station they are showing a film about Alaska.

4. Mike gave Pedro a copy of the diagram he had made.

5. Serena had worked hard, and that is why she succeeded.

Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun reference.

The End