Lesson 60
Clear Pronoun Reference
Clearly state the antecedent of a pronoun. A pronoun should not be able to refer to more
than one antecedent.
Never use the pronouns
this, that, which, and
it without a clearly stated antecedent. Each
time
you use these pronouns, be sure you express, in a word or two, the object or idea
that you wish these words to stand for.
Vague:
The audience members
kept screaming at the monster, but
that didn’t keep
me from enjoying the film.
Clear:
The audience members kept screaming at the monster, but
their response
didn’t keep me from enjoying the film.
Vague:
The computers were all being used,
which always happens when I have an
assignment.
Clear:
I couldn’t do
my assignment on the computers,
which were all in use at the
time.
Vague:
My sisters have learned a lot by playing
in the school orchestra, so I have
also chosen
it as my extracurricular activity.
Clear:
My sisters have learned a lot by playing in the school orchestra, so I have
also chosen
music as my extracurricular activity.
If a pronoun seems to refer to more than one antecedent, reword the sentence to make the
antecedent clear, or eliminate the pronoun.
Unclear Antecedent:
When
you put the car in the garage, don’t forget to lock
it.
Clear Antecedent:
Lock the car after you put
it in the garage.
No Pronoun:
Park in the garage and lock the
car.
Do not use
you and
they as indefinite pronouns. Name the
person or group to which you
are referring.
Indefinite:
At the council meeting,
you must ask to be recognized.
Clear:
At the council meeting,
members must ask to be recognized.
Indefinite:
In
the orchestra,
they must practice scales.
Clear:
In the orchestra,
players must practice scales.
Exercise 1
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