1. Mrs. Cremeens Language Arts

2.  When using pronouns in a sentence, use clear reference to the antecedent

3.  Pronoun reference is confusing if a pronoun could refer to more than one antecedent. Grandma and Mrs. Damian read the newspaper, but she forgot what the article said. [This sentence refers to more than one female. Who forgot?]  Remember: The antecedent is the noun that is being referred to by the pronoun. You will replace the noun (antecedent) with a pronoun.  If a pronoun could refer to more than one word, reword the sentence to make the antecedent clear, or eliminate the pronoun.

4.  EXAMPLE:  When Jasmine handed her sister the dog, she sneezed.  [Who sneezed? Jasmine, her sister, or the dog?]  Jasmine sneezed when she handed the dog to her sister.  [Reword the sentence to make it clear who sneezed.  When Jasmine handed her sister the dog, Jasmine sneezed.  [Substitute a noun for the pronoun]

5.  Pronoun reference can also be confusing if a pronoun’s antecedent is not stated.  Be sure that pronouns like it, this, that, they, these, those, and which refer to a specific word or phrase. Otherwise, the meaning is unclear.  Rewrite the sentence to eliminate the unclear use of the pronoun.

6.  EXAMPLES:  Jamie wants to be a kindergarten teacher because it interests her.  [What interests her? There is no clear antecedent for it.]  Jamie wants to be a kindergarten teacher because working with young children interests her.  [Eliminate the pronoun.] -----------------------------------------------------  In the playbook, they say not to throw long passes early in the game.  [Who are they?]  In the playbook, the coaches say not to throw long passes early in the game.  [Replace it with a specific noun.]

7.  1. Aaron and a friend saw two children drowning. He jumped into the water.  2. Aaron rescued both children, but it was exhausting.  3. The officers spoke to the children, and they were relieved.  4. Aaron is strong. This helped him to rescue two children at once.

8.  Test your knowledge  Read the sentences  Rewrite the sentences so that the underlined pronoun has a clearly referenced antecedent.

9. PE1: Dad and Jim walked out the door, but he forgot to turn off the light. PE2: Mom and Aunt Alice went together, but she didn’t like the movie. PE3: Dad saw the movie and the play but didn’t like it. PE4: In the article it says that they play was clever. PE5: The girls met with their cousins, and they asked many questions.