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Ambiguous Pronouns
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Definition A pronoun has no __definite____meaning by itself. Its meaning is clear only when the word or _word___group___ it stands for is known. There are _four__ categories of unclear pronoun reference to be careful of:
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Ambiguous Reference _Ambiguous_______ reference: this occurs when any one of two or more words can be a pronoun’s antecedent_. Ambiguous: Marissa called Yolanda while she_ was at the library last weekend.(Who was at library?) Better: While Marissa was at the library last weekend, she called Yolanda.
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General Reference _General____ reference: this is the use of a pronoun that refers to a general idea rather than to a specific antecedent. General: My biology class is going to the coast this week, which should be fun.(What will be fun?) Better: Going to the coast with my biology class this week should be fun.
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Weak Reference _Weak____ reference: this occurs when a pronoun refers to an antecedent that has been _suggested____ but not __expressed______. Weak: Royale writes stories, and she hopes to make it her career.(What is her career?) Better: Royale writes stories, and she hopes to make writing her career.
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Indefinite Reference _Indefinite____ reference: this is the use of a pronoun that refers to no _specific_____ antecedent and that is _unnecessary_____ to the meaning of the sentence. Most indefinite reference errors are caused by the misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you. Indefinite: In the newspaper, it reported that the robbers had been caught.(What/who reported?) Better: The newspaper reported that the robbers had been caught.
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