Vague Pronoun Reference

GAME PLAN Create clear pronoun-antecedent relationships to make your writing more accurate and powerful. What in the world is a pronoun and antecedent?????What in the world is a pronoun and antecedent?????

Vague Idea Pronouns such as which, this, that, and these should refer to a specific idea. Sometimes, changing a pronoun to an adjective that modifies a specific noun can avoid a vague reference. I loved tasting the Italian dish, but they never explained what ingredients were used.

Vague Idea A pronoun should never refer to more than one antecedent. Jim told Wayne about the game he attended.

Vague Idea Do not repeat a personal pronoun in a sentence if it can refer to a different antecedent each time. When Kate asked her mother if she could borrow the iPad, she said that she needed it.

Unclear Use Be sure that the pronouns it, they, and you have a clearly stated antecedent. Blake shifted his weight from his injured leg. Four days ago, he had tripped, scraping himself on the pavement. Now it was wrapped with bandages.

Pronoun / Antecedent Pronoun - words that stand for nouns or for words that take the place of nouns (he, she, it, they... ) Antecedent - nouns or words that to which pronouns refer. Heather said she lost her ring at the concert. Attending the fair is tiring, but it is fun!