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.

Antecedent Pronoun

The guide showed the tourists where they

they
should meet the bus.

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.

Antecedent Pronoun

idea sounds great. It

Van’s idea It will appeal to
most students.
The meaning of it is clear because we know it
refers to the word idea.

[End of Section]
 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 When Jim finally met my father, he

reference had plenty to say.

Who had plenty to say, Jim or the

father?
 Ambiguous reference

To correct an ambiguous reference, change the

wording so that the pronoun clearly refers to just
one antecedent.

Ambiguous When
Lisa saw
JimSara
finally
while
metshe
mywas
father,
in Elhe
reference had
Paso.plenty to say.

Clear When
Whilewas
Who Lisa
he in
finally
was in
met
El Paso,
El Paso, my father,
Lisa orshe saw
Jim
Sara?
reference had
Sara.plenty to say.

Clear While
When Sara
Jim finally
was inmet
El Paso,
him, my
Lisafather
saw
reference her.
had plenty to say.
[End of Section]
 General reference

A general reference is the use of a pronoun

that refers to a general idea rather than a specific
antecedent.

General I found out Jeremy had already been

reference to Gettysburg. That surprised me.

That has no specific antecedent.

Avoiding general references makes

your writing clearer and easier to
understand.
 General reference

To correct a general reference, reword the

sentence to avoid using the pronoun.

General I found out Jeremy had already been

reference to Gettysburg. That surprised me.
Clear I was surprised when I found out
Jeremy had already been to
Gettysburg.
 General reference

Some pronouns commonly found in general-

reference errors are it, that, this, and which.

General Add some bananas and honey to

reference plain yogurt. It makes a delicious and
healthy snack.

Clear Adding some bananas and honey to

plain yogurt makes a delicious and
healthy snack.
 General reference

Some pronouns commonly found in general-

reference errors are it, that, this, and which.

General The bridge was damaged. That made

reference commuting difficult.

Clear The damage to the bridge made

commuting difficult.
 General reference

Some pronouns commonly found in general-

reference errors are it, that, this, and which.

General The shuttle launch was postponed.

reference This was a disappointment to the
astronauts.

Clear 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 My alarm did not go off, which means

reference I’ll be late for school again.

Clear My alarm did not go off, so I’ll be late

for school again.
 Using clear pronoun reference

On Your Own
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.

[End of Section]
 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 After winning the soccer match, they

reference gave the coach a gift.

The antecedent players is suggested

but not expressed by the use of the
pronoun they.
 Weak reference

Revise sentences to eliminate weak pronoun

references.

Weak Charles
After winning
Dickens
thewassoccer
a great
match,
writer,
theyand
reference gaveisthe
this onecoach
of hisa best.
gift.

Clear Charles
After winning
Dickensthewrote
soccer
many
match,great
the
players and
books, gavethis
theiscoach
one ofa his
gift.best.

[End of Section]
 Indefinite reference

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 In the newspaper, it reported that the

reference 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 In the newspaper, it reported that

reference 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 In this book it explains how car

reference engines work.

Clear This book explains how car engines

work.
 Indefinite reference

Most indefinite-reference errors are caused by the

misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you.

Indefinite In the movie they portray the aliens as

reference violent creatures.

Clear The movie portrays the aliens as

violent creatures.
 Indefinite reference

Most indefinite-reference errors are caused by the

misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you.

Indefinite During the Middle Ages, you very likely

reference 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.
 Using clear pronoun reference

On Your Own
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.

[End of Section]
 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

Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun

reference.

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.

[End of Section]
The End