Understanding Clear Reference What does reference mean? Pronouns and antecedents Ambiguous reference General reference Weak reference Indefinite reference Review A Review B

What does reference mean? When you refer to something, you point to something specific.

What does reference mean? A reference is a way of pointing out a connection or relationship between two things. If your references are unclear, your readers and listeners can’t make connections.

Pronouns and antecedents A pronoun stands for, or refers to, another word or word group, called the antecedent. Antecedent Pronoun Steven wanted to visit the museum, but it had closed for the day. museum it Think of the arrow as the reference, or the connection, between pronoun and antecedent.

Pronouns and antecedents Generally, the meaning of a pronoun is clear only when the reader knows to which word or word group the pronoun refers. Amy promised Jim she would help him clean the kitchen. Amy Jim she him The meaning of she is clear because we know she refers to Amy. The meaning of him is clear because we know him refers to Jim.

Pronouns and antecedents A pronoun should refer clearly to its antecedent. A pronoun reference is sometimes unclear because the pronoun and its antecedent do not agree—in number, gender, person, or case. Eli is always thinking about computers. It seems to be his only interest. Unclear Clear Eli is always thinking about computers. They seem to be his only interest. Eli is always thinking about his computer. It seems to be his only interest. Clear [End of Section]

Ambiguous reference An ambiguous reference occurs when any one of two or more words can be a pronoun’s antecedent. ? ? Ambiguous reference Colleen called Alicia while she was doing her homework. Who is she? Who was doing her homework—Colleen or Alicia?

Ambiguous reference To correct an ambiguous reference, change the wording so that the pronoun clearly refers to just one antecedent. Ambiguous reference When the ship struck the dock, it burst into flames. Colleen called Alicia while she was doing her homework. Clear While Colleen was doing her homework, she called Alicia. Which burst into flames—the ship or the dock? The dock burst into flames when the ship struck it. Clear While Alicia was doing her homework, Colleen called her. When it struck the dock, the ship burst into flames. [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 reference Mariana told jokes and sang funny songs. This amused her audience. This has no specific antecedent. What does this refer to?

General reference To correct a general reference, rephrase the sentence or replace the pronoun with a noun. General reference Mariana told jokes and sang funny songs. This amused her audience. Clear Mariana amused her audience by telling jokes and singing funny songs. Clear Mariana told jokes and sang funny songs. Her act amused the audience.

General reference Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference errors are this, that, it, and which. General reference My family got a new carpet and curtains. That certainly improved the room’s appearance. Clear The new carpet and curtains that my family got certainly improved the room’s appearance. Clear The room’s appearance was improved by the new carpet and curtains that my family got.

General reference Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference errors are this, that, it, and which. General reference The trail was washed out and blocked in some places. It made the climb nervewracking. Clear The climb was nervewracking because the trail was washed out and blocked in some places. Clear That the trail was washed out and blocked in some places made the climb nervewracking.

General reference Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference errors are this, that, it, and which. General reference Half of the pine trees had to be cut down, which was unfortunate. Clear Unfortunately, half of the pine trees had to be cut down. Clear That half of the pine trees had to be cut down was unfortunate.

Understanding clear reference On Your Own Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun reference. 1. The wind grew stronger and the rain began. This made the campers look for shelter. 2. Alia spoke to Mrs. Davidson about her plans for the summer. 3. Until the police led the jurors away, they had been mobbed by reporters. 4. The plows removed all the snow and cleared the roads, which means we have school today. 5. Carlos is always cheerful and kind, which is why everyone enjoys his company.

Weak reference A weak reference occurs when a pronoun refers to an antecedent that has been suggested but not expressed. Weak reference The people want honest public servants, but many people think that it is not a virtue of any of the candidates. What does it refer to? The antecedent honesty is suggested but is not expressed.

Weak reference Revise sentences to eliminate weak pronoun references. Being neighborly is important because you may need their help some day in an emergency. I take many photographs with my camera and consider it an enjoyable hobby. Clear I take many photographs with my camera and consider photography an enjoyable hobby. Being neighborly is important because you may need your neighbor’s help someday in an emergency. [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 reference In the magazine article it describes the aftermath of the eruption. 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 magazine article it describes the aftermath of the eruption. Clear The magazine article describes the aftermath of the eruption.

Indefinite reference Most indefinite-reference errors are caused by the misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you. Indefinite reference Throughout the book it uses expressions unique to Maine. Clear Expressions unique to Maine are used throughout the book.

Indefinite reference Most indefinite-reference errors are caused by the misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you. Indefinite reference In Japan they have the world’s tallest roller coaster. Clear The world’s tallest roller coaster is in Japan.

Indefinite reference Most indefinite-reference errors are caused by the misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you. Indefinite reference In some countries, you do not dare to express your political views openly. Clear In some countries, people do not dare to express their political views openly.

Indefinite reference On Your Own Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun reference. 1. In the telephone book they list five music stores. 2. Luis is highly intelligent, but he hides it from people he doesn’t know well. 3. Prospective students must fill out a college application form if they want to get into one. 4. On the book jacket it says that the authors took part in the events they describe. 5. I like mountain biking, but I can’t afford one. [End of Section]

Review A In each sentence, identify the pronoun that has an unclear reference. 1. The race is tomorrow, which is why they are going to bed early tonight. 2. Silvio told Pat that he had to start exercising regularly. 3. When that band comes to town next week, it will be a sold-out show. 4. They said on the news that some roads are flooded. 5. At the old fort a guide showed us around, and this made the visit especially interesting.

Review B Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun reference. 1. Over the door it read “No Admittance.” 2. When foods are high in calories but low in nutrients, this causes them to be called junk foods. 3. The teachers told the students that they did not need to go to the assembly. 4. The dog barks at the cat when it goes outside. 5. They say all ten fingerprints stay the same even as a person ages. [End of Section]

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