1. Using Clear Pronoun Reference
What does reference mean?
Ambiguous reference
General reference
Weak reference
Indefinite reference
Review A
Review B

2. What does reference mean?
A reference is a way of pointing out a connection between two things.

3. 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 should meet the bus.
tourists
they
Think of the arrow as the reference, or the connection, between the pronoun and its antecedent.

4. What does reference mean?
Generally, the meaning of a pronoun is clear only when the antecedent is known.
Antecedent
Pronoun
Van’s idea sounds great. It will appeal to most students.
idea It
The meaning of it is clear because we know it refers to the word idea.
[End of Section]

5. Ambiguous reference 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?

6. Ambiguous reference
To correct an ambiguous reference, change the wording so that the pronoun clearly refers to just one antecedent.
Ambiguous reference
Ambiguous reference
When Jim finally met my father, he had plenty to say.
Lisa saw Sara while she was in El Paso.
Clear reference
Clear reference
Who was in El Paso, Lisa or Sara?
While Lisa was in El Paso, she saw Sara.
When he finally met my father, Jim had plenty to say.
Clear reference
Clear reference
While Sara was in El Paso, Lisa saw her.
When Jim finally met him, my father had plenty to say.
[End of Section]

7. General reference
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.

8. 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.

9. General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference 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.

10. General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference 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.

11. General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference 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.

12. General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in general-reference 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.

13. Using clear pronoun 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.
5. Dr. Sanchez works long hours and has many responsibilities, but she says it doesn’t bother her.
[End of Section]

14. 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.

15. Weak reference Revise sentences to eliminate weak pronoun references.
Charles Dickens was a great writer, and this is one of his best.
After winning the soccer match, they gave the coach a gift.
Clear
Clear
Charles Dickens wrote many great books, and this is one of his best.
After winning the soccer match, the players gave the coach a gift.
[End of Section]

16. 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 newspaper, it reported that the robbers had been caught.
The pronoun it is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.
During the Middle Ages, a person very likely would not live past the age of thirty.
Clear
The pronoun you does not refer to the reader and does not have a specific antecedent.

21. Using clear pronoun 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.
5. I dropped the cup, and it splashed all over the floor.
[End of Section]

22. 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.

23. 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]

24. The End