What does reference mean?
Ambiguous reference
General reference
Weak reference
Indefinite reference
Review A
Review B
Using Clear Pronoun
Reference
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.
What does reference mean?
[End of Section]
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?
Ambiguous reference
To correct an ambiguous reference, change the
wording so that the pronoun clearly refers to just
one antecedent.
Ambiguous
reference
When
Lisa saw
JimSara
finally
while
metshe
mywas
father,
in Elhe
had
Paso.plenty to say.
Clear
reference
When
Whilewas
Lisa
he in
finally
was
inmet
El Paso,
my father,
saw
Jim
Who
El Paso,
Lisa
orshe
Sara?
had
Sara.plenty to say.
Clear
reference
While
When Sara
Jim finally
was inmet
El Paso,
him, Lisa
my father
saw
her.
had plenty to say.
Ambiguous reference
[End of Section]
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.
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
reference
I found out Jeremy had already been
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 generalreference errors are it, that, this, and which.
General
reference
Add some bananas and honey to
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 generalreference errors are it, that, this, and which.
General
reference
The bridge was damaged. That made
commuting difficult.
Clear
The damage to the bridge made
commuting difficult.
General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in generalreference errors are it, that, this, and which.
General
reference
The shuttle launch was postponed.
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 generalreference 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.
General 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.
Using clear pronoun
reference
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
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
Charles
After
winning
Dickens
thewas
soccer
a great
match,
writer,
they
and
gaveisthe
this
onecoach
of hisa best.
gift.
Clear
Charles
After
winning
Dickens
thewrote
soccer
many
match,
great
the
players and
books,
gavethis
theiscoach
one ofa his
gift.best.
Weak reference
[End of Section]
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.
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
reference
In the movie they portray the aliens as
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
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.
Indefinite 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.
Using clear pronoun
5. I dropped the cup, and it splashed all over the floor.
reference
[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