A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun or noun phrase. Evaluation of automatically generated pronoun reference. Pronoun reference check every pronoun in your sentence to make sure that it has a word to which it refers. A pronouns antecedent is theword to which the pronoun refers. Better writing avoiding vague and ambiguous pronoun. Some demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these, those. In this article, the pronoun antecedent relationship with words will be thoroughly discussed in order for you to understand how it works and how you can perfectly and effectively use it in your sentences. Write the letter v next to the sentence that has a vague pronoun reference. Do not use a pronoun in such a way that it might refer to either of two antecedents. Unless theres some mysterious it in the book, this is wrong. Vague pronoun reference a pronoun without a specific antecedent. When i travelled to new york, i realized that you needed to pack your warmer clothes. The pronoun it does not have a clear noun antecedent.
Ambiguous reference an ambiguous reference occurs when the pronoun could refer to two. This noun is called the pronoun s antecedent unfortunately, it is very easy to create a sentence that uses a pronoun without a clear, unmistakable noun antecedent. Eliminate a vague pronoun reference by the following methods. Harry was always late for class, which drove his teacher crazy. If there is any possibilityof doubt, revise the sentence to remove the ambiguity. The pronoun reference is faulty here because the pronoun it has two antecedents. Unclear pronoun reference makes sentences confusing, vague, and difficult to understand. Vague pronoun reference often occurs when pronouns are used at the start of a sentence. The fans booed and jeered at the referee because he had called it unfairly. In these three sentences, the pronouns refer to the idea that harry was always late, but they cant logically refer back to. The pronoun it can refer to the noun union or to the implied process of decision making.
Also, it must be clear which noun the pronoun is substituting for. Pronoun reference recognize pronoun reference when you see it. Avoid most pronoun reference problems by following these rules. A faulty pronoun reference will result in a muddled sentence and a confused reader. The computer started up but then it crashed because it is old not the computer started up but then the computer crashed because the computer is old. Although they may imply a noun, reference to them will be ambiguous. In other words, you cant tell which word the pronoun is replacing. Some people dont feel like the most common gender pronouns sheher, hehim represent their gender identities or expressions because of how they are typically attributed to binary conceptions of sex malefemale and gender manwoman. You can enter your answers directly into this document. Displaying all worksheets related to vague pronouns. While vague pronoun reference can be annoying, so is being obsessive about it. Unclear pronoun reference, along with a mismatch between the pronoun and its referent or antecedent, the word the pronoun is intended to replace, are issues that frequently cause students trouble. Pronouns are words that stand in for a noun in a sentence.
A grammar help handout created by abbie potter henry. If an audio file or transcript is available online, use the following model, specifying the medium in brackets e. The reader cannot be sure whether howard is very angry because. Make copies of song lyrics with the pronouns deleted. Rules for finding and fixing pronoun reference errors. Cate hoppes and maverick wagley present vague pronoun references and a guide on how to revise them. Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out or indicate the objects which we are referring to.
The three common types of vague pronoun referencing. Transgender, genderqueer, and other gender nonconforming people. As a result, the reader cannot know for sure whether kara sold the disk or the cabinet. Many people a who buy a new puppy believe that the young dog should automatically behave as well as lassie, b who had years of obedience training and c which was a mature animal with control of her bladder. In this video, faby teaches you how to clarify and clearly state which now a. Or he was pleased by the way the highly ornate frame complemented the painting. Making pronoun references clear pronouns substitute for nouns. You can cause confusion for your readers when your pronouns e. If a pronoun seems to refer to more than one antecedent, either reword the sentence to make the antecedent clear or eliminate the pronoun. Each sentence below contains a vague pronoun reference a pronoun without a clear noun antecedent.
Since pronoun reference is most universal in english, it wont. In this paper, emphasis will be attached to those vague reference phenomena, including pronoun reference, anticipatory reference in attributive clauses, substitution, abstract reference to concreteness, concrete reference to. Writers should avoid excluding females from sentences that the reference to is indefinite. That is, a pronoun is misused when the real noun to which it refers has not actually been mentioned.
Ambiguous referencing remote reference vague reference. I, you, he, she, it, we, they, you, him, her, them, it, us rewrite each sentence. When the relative pronoun follows a comma, only which, and not that, may be used. Some interrogative pronouns are whom, whose, who, what, which. Vague pronoun reference sometimes faulty pronoun reference occurs, not because there are too many nouns possibly being referred to, but because there is none. A pronoun s reference will be unclear if it is ambiguous, implied, vague or indefinite. Vague pronoun reference and pronounantecedent disagreement definition. Avoid vague pronoun references how might you address the pronoun reference problems that occur throughout your essay. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Is this ok, or does it have a vague pronoun reference. Vague pronoun reference and pronoun antecedent disagreement definition. Improve your language arts knowledge with free questions in identify vague pronoun references and thousands of other language arts skills. Itis easier to catch a faulty reference of pronouns if you read your rough draft aloud. A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to more than one subject or the subject that the pronoun refers to is only implied.
Link pronouns to nouns clearly because pronouns stand in for nouns, be sure your pronouns refer to nouns you have already put in place. Making pronoun references clear flashcards quizlet. Most of the time the antecedent comes before the pronoun. Pronoun agreement and reference a pronoun must agree with the word it refers to the antecedent. Created by shreese williams information from real good grammar, too by mamie hixon revised by. Fixing vague pronoun reference 31 how to recognize and fix vague references at the beginning of sentences this, it, etc. As a result, the reader cannot know for sure whether mabel sold the disk or the cabinet. But you must use them with care because, in some constructions, the antecedents of these pronouns can be vague. There are also some expressions where the pronoun does not need to have an antecedent e. A pronoun s antecedent is the word to which the pronoun refers.
Using pronouns pronouns are words that replace nouns so that you dont need to repeat the same noun several times in a text e. Then play the song for the students to check their work. Heres a sentence where the antecedent is not entirely clear. The word pronoun means for a noun and it called a nouns deputy. Whenever pronouns are used, it should be unmistakably clear which noun the pronoun is standing in for. In general, a pronoun should refer to a particular word in the preceding sentence. How do i use demonstrative and relative pronouns clearly.
Sexist pronoun usage occurs when an indefinite pronoun is used as the antecedent and the pronoun of choice to follow is a masculine pronoun. The highlighted words represent vague pronouns because a reader. Ambiguous pronoun reference a pronoun with multiple, possible antecedents. Here is another example of faulty pronoun reference where a pronoun is asked to refer to a whole group of words instead of a clear, single noun antecedent. Mary and mike invited their theirs parents to see their theirs new apartment. Nick used to love water skiing and swimming in florida lakes, but now he worries. In these three sentences, the pronouns refer to the idea that harry was always late, but they cant logically refer back to either of the two nouns, harry or class. A pronoun should refer clearly to one, clear, unmistakable noun coming before the pronoun. Pronoun reference 2 demonstrative pronouns demonstrative pronouns this, that, these, thoseare legitimate parts of the english language.
Singular pronouns are used with singular antecedents, and plural pronouns are used with plural. By definition, pronouns, which take the place of a noun, cannot refer to an idea expressed in an entire sentence or statement. A pronoun is a word used to stand for or take the place of a noun. To avoid a vague pronoun reference, make sure that a pronoun cannot possibly refer to more than one antecedent. The word a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. It is not yet clear how the drug raprime affects the body. Make pronouns agree in person and number with their antecedents. Better writing practice fixing ambiguous pronoun references. Pronoun reference is the practice of making pronouns refer clearly to the words they replace. In traditional grammar, a construction in which a pronoun doesnt refer clearly and unambiguously to its antecedent is called faulty pronoun reference. Making pronoun references clear memorial university. Read your sentences carefully to make sure that all pronoun references are clear.
How to correct vague, ambiguous, and unclear pronoun reference. After braiding janees hair, andrea decorated them no word to which this pronoun refers with beads. If an interview is not retrievable in audio or print form, cite the interview only in the text not in the reference list and provide the month, day, and year in the text. A vague pronoun is a pronoun for which its not clear which noun is its antecedent. Iii avoid the vague use of this, that, or which to refer to the general idea of a preceding clause or sentence. It, this, and which are pronouns, and they need to refer back to a specific noun, not to the whole idea of a previous statement. The rule a pronoun must refer to a single noun, which acts as its antecedent. The word he is a pronoun that takes the place of the word john.
What are the antecedents of pronouns in english grammar. You may want to put a list of pronouns above the song, as in worksheet 47a. If you cant find the antecedent or if it seems unclear, you can. Here youll first learn all about clear pronoun referenceand ways in which unclear pronoun reference can occur in your writing and speech. Such errors, called faulty or vague pronoun reference, can confuse readers and obscure the intended meaning. When my roommate paid her hers half of the rent, i. Pronoun agreement and reference palm beach state college. Since the legal profession is highly valued by the public, they are very well paid.
Exercise on vague or unclear pronoun reference in the following pairs of sentences, one sentence is correct, and the other sentence contains a vague or ambiguous pronoun reference. Interrogative pronouns are used when we ask questions. Circle all pronouns in your draft and draw an arrow to their antecedent. If an antecedent is singular, its pronoun must be singular, too. A pronoun is a word used instead of a common noun or a proper noun. Using pronouns correctly eliminates unnecessary noun repetition in your writing. Even though they rarely visit aunt michelle, penelope looks forward to sandquist, amy l. Pronoun reference every pronoun must have a clear reference.
Gustavo slowed to the speed limit when he saw the police cruiser in the rearview mirror. Nicks hair is so long that this young man really needs to visit a barber before his interview at the bank. The documents arranged by the temporary workers were badly out of order, so we sent all the files back to the main office to be resorted. Unclear pronoun reference makes sentences confusing, vague, and difficult to. There is no single rule for making pronoun reference clear in all cases. I told uncle richard, aunt gretchen, and then dad, which infuriated gary. The hoffman kids have a hamster and a sugar glider, but they are always grumpy. An antecedent is the noun to which the pronoun refers.
Vague pronoun reference mom wasnt sure if jane had her makeup, mom wasnt sure if jane had brought moms make up. Pronoun reference and antecedent agreement its not as bad as it sounds. Most often a reader will try to connect the pronoun with the subject of a previous clause or sentence. Exercise on vague or unclear pronoun reference with answer. In the book it says that sharks must move in order to breathe. If it is clear what the pronoun should be from the text, have the students work in pairs to provide missing pronouns. Jul 09, 20 this feature is not available right now. If an antecedent is singular, its pronoun must besingular, too. More subtle errors occur when you use a pronoun reference that is too general or indefinite or one that only you know. Faulty pronoun reference means the antecedent of your pronoun is not totally and immediately clear. Each pot and pan in her kitchen has it its own place on the shelf. You should not use adjectives, or nouns or pronouns in the possessive case, as antecedents.
What pronoun do i use when i have singular nouns of the same gender. The noun which a pronoun substitutes for or refers to. A pronoun is a word used to stand for or take the place of a noun a pronoun should refer clearly to one, clear, unmistakable noun coming before the pronoun. A pronoun must refer to a single noun, which acts as its antecedent. Replace the pronoun with a noun supply the missing antecedent use a possessive pronoun to refer back to a possessive antecedent. Avoiding vague pronoun references macmillanmcgrawhill.
This that, these and those test your knowledge on how to use the pronouns i and me. If the antecedent is in third person, the pronoun must be in third person. In one sentence, for example, the pronoun he might mean zippy the dog. Actually, the term pronoun reference refers to the fact that the meaning of a pronoun comes from its antecedent, the noun or pronoun to which it refers. Pronouns work well when they stand in for specific nouns, but sometimes they are used to refer to vague, unnamed entities. Jun 11, 20 sometimes it is difficult to understand english sentences because we dont know what word it pronoun is referring to. Singular pronouns are used with singular antecedents, and plural pronouns are used with plural antecedents. A basic pronouns test for elementary school demonstrative pronouns quiz. A pronoun should refer clearly to one, clear, unmistakable noun. A pronouns reference will be unclear if it is ambiguous, implied, vague or indefinite.
Whenever you use a personal pronoun like she, it, or they, you first have to have an antecedent, the word that the pronoun is replacing. The antecedent is the noun or pronoun that the pronoun replaces. Unclear pronoun reference you want to write a sentence as clean as a bone. Pronouns a pronoun is a word that replaces a noun or noun phrase. A pronoun should not refer to adjectives or possessive nouns. Forcoherence, a pronoun should be placed as close as possible to its antecedent. Nearest plural compound antecedent, plural pronoun. This editing exercise will give you practice in correcting errors in pronoun reference. If she borrows your yours coat, then you should be able to borrow her i hers. Pronoun reference sentence errors the nature of writing. Avoiding vague pronoun references practice write your answers on the lines and then print this page. Better writing avoiding vague and ambiguous pronoun references.
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