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

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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]

7. Pronouns and antecedents Number
A pronoun should agree in number with its antecedent.
A word that refers to one thing is singular.
A word that refers to more than one thing is plural. I me
my, mine
you
your, yours
he, she, it
him, her, it
his, hers, its
Singular personal pronouns we us
our, ours
you
your, yours
they
them
their, theirs
Plural personal pronouns

8. Pronouns and antecedents Gender
Some singular pronouns indicate gender.
Masculine pronouns refer to males.
Feminine pronouns refer to females.
Neuter pronouns refer to places, things, ideas, and sometimes animals.
Masculine he
him
his
himself
Feminine
she
her
her, hers
herself
Neuter it
its
itself

9. Pronouns and antecedents Person
Person indicates whether a pronoun refers to
the one(s) speaking
first person
I reminded myself to finish my chores.
the one(s) spoken to
second person
Did you plant your garden by yourself?
the one(s) spoken about
third person
They should be ashamed of themselves.

10. Pronouns and antecedents Case
Case is the form that a pronoun takes to show its relationship to other words in a sentence.
Nominative
Objective
Possessive
Singular
First person I me
my, mine
Second person
you
your, yours
Third person
he, she, it
him, her, it
his, her, hers, its
Plural we us
our, ours
they
them
their, theirs

11. 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?

12. 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]

13. 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?

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Grammar Gal Says... General reference
On a computer you can use the search feature to highlight all occurrences of the pronouns it, this, that, and which.
Grammar Gal Says...
I was surprised to find out that two library books were overdue.
I found out that two library books were overdue, which was a surprise.
Make sure each pronoun refers to a clear antecedent. If it doesn’t, revise your sentence.

19. General reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence. Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. When the limousine passed the bus, it swerved sharply to the right.
2. Several hikers were late returning, which worried the park rangers.
3. Last Saturday we pulled weeds in the garden, but it took longer than we had planned.

20. General reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence. Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. When the limousine passed the bus, it swerved sharply to the right.
It could refer to either limousine or bus. (ambiguous reference)
Possible Revision
1. The limousine swerved sharply to the right when it passed the bus.

21. General reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence. Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared to explain your answer.
2. Several hikers were late returning, which worried the park rangers.
Which refers to a general idea, not a specific antecedent. (general reference)
Possible Revision
2. The park rangers worried because several hikers were late returning.

22. General reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence. Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared to explain your answer.
3. Last Saturday we pulled weeds in the garden, but it took longer than we had planned.
It refers to a general idea, not a specific antecedent. (general reference)
Possible Revision
1. Last Saturday pulling weeds in the garden took longer than we had planned.

23. 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.

24. Understanding clear reference
Possible Answers
Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun reference.
1. When the wind grew stronger and the rain began, the campers looked for shelter.
2. Alia told Mrs. Davidson about her plans for the summer.
3. The police led away the jurors, who had been mobbed by reporters.
4. We have school today because the plows removed all the snow and cleared the roads.
5. Because Carlos is always cheerful and kind, everyone enjoys his company.

25. 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.

26. 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]

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. Grammar Gal Says... Indefinite reference
Certain familiar expressions using it are acceptable even though it does not refer to a definite antecedent.
Grammar Gal Says...
It is raining.
It seems dark.
It’s early.

33. Indefinite reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence. Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. In some parts of Africa, they mine diamonds and sell them to jewelers to be cut.
2. Even though they spent two hours in the laundry room, they didn’t finish it all.
3. In large cities you don’t feel comfortable calling the mayor about problems.

34. Indefinite reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence. Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared to explain your answer.
1. In some parts of Africa, they mine diamonds and sell them to jewelers to be cut.
They refers to no specific antecedent and is unnecessary to the meaning of the sentence. (indefinite reference)
Possible Revision
1. In some parts of Africa, diamonds are mined and sold to jewelers to be cut.

35. Indefinite reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence. Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared to explain your answer.
2. Even though they spent two hours in the laundry room, they didn’t finish it all.
A specific antecedent for it is suggested but not expressed. (weak reference)
Possible Revision
2. Even though they spent two hours in the laundry room, they didn’t finish all the laundry.

36. Indefinite reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence. Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared to explain your answer.
3. In large cities you don’t feel comfortable calling the mayor about problems.
You refers to no specific antecedent and is unnecessary to the meaning of the sentence. (indefinite reference)
Possible Revision
3. People in large cities don’t feel comfortable calling the mayor about problems.

37. 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]

38. Indefinite reference Possible Answers
Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun reference.
1. The telephone book lists five music stores.
2. Luis is highly intelligent, but he hides his intelligence from people he doesn’t know well.
3. Prospective students must fill out an application form if they want to get into the college.
4. According to the book jacket, the authors took part in the events they describe.
5. I like mountain biking, but I can’t afford a mountain bike.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. 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]

42. Review B
Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun reference.
1. The sign over the door read “No Admittance.”
2. Foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients are called junk foods.
3. The teachers said that the students did not need to go to the assembly.
4. When the cat goes outside, the dog barks at it.
5. Even as a person ages, all ten fingerprints stay the same.

43. The End