What does reference mean?
A reference is a way of pointing out a
connection between two things.
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
they
should meet the bus.
Think of the arrow as the
reference, or the connection,
between the pronoun and its
antecedent.
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
It will appeal to
most students.
The meaning of it is clear because we know it
refers to the word idea.
[End of Section]
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?
Ambiguous reference
To correct an ambiguous reference, change the
wording so that the pronoun clearly refers to just
one antecedent.
Ambiguous
reference
When
Lisa saw
JimSara
finally
while
metshe
mywas
father,
in Elhe
had
Paso.plenty to say.
Clear
reference
When
Whilewas
Lisa
he in
finally
was
inmet
El Paso,
my father,
saw
Jim
Who
El Paso,
Lisa
orshe
Sara?
had
Sara.plenty to say.
Clear
reference
While
When Sara
Jim finally
was inmet
El Paso,
him, Lisa
my father
saw
her.
had plenty to say.
[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
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.
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.
General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in generalreference 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.
General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in generalreference 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.
General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in generalreference 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.
General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in generalreference 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.
Logging-On to your Computer
Username: Student Number
Password: Pmm/dd/yyyy
You must log off the
computer after every use.
Using clear pronoun reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence.
Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared
to explain your answer.
1. Ever since Joan started practicing with Luisa, her
tennis skills have been improving.
2. Hank has been eating more vegetables and
getting more exercise, and he feels much better
because of this.
3. The citizens waved at the mayor and his family as
they passed by.
Using clear pronoun reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence.
Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared
to explain your answer.
1. Ever since Joan started practicing with Luisa, her tennis
skills have been improving.
Her could refer to either Joan or Luisa. (ambiguous
reference)
Possible Revision
1. Joan’s tennis skills have been improving ever since she
started practicing with Luisa.
Using clear pronoun reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence.
Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared
to explain your answer.
2. Hank has been eating more vegetables and getting
more exercise, and he feels much better because of
this.
This refers to a general idea, not a specific antecedent.
(general reference)
Possible Revision
2. Because of his healthier lifestyle, Hank feels much
better.
Using clear pronoun reference
Identify the unclear pronoun in each sentence.
Then, revise the sentence to correct the error. Be prepared
to explain your answer.
3. The citizens waved at the mayor and his family as they
passed by.
They could refer to either citizens or mayor and his family.
(ambiguous reference)
Possible Revision
3. As the mayor and his family passed by, the citizens
waved at them.
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]
Using clear pronoun reference
Possible Answers
Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun
reference.
When
Patamade
a shot
at the
last second,
the fans
wentgo
wild.
1. Pat
made
goal at
the last
second.
That made
the fans
wild.
When visits
Gracewith
getsher
home
from work,
her neighbor.
2. Grace
neighbor
when she
she visits
gets home
from work.
Beforeintroducing
introducingthe
him,
the principal
mentioned
the speaker’s
3. Before
speaker,
the principal
mentioned
his
latestbook.
book.
latest
Therain
fact had
thatstopped
the rainby
had
stoppedwhich
by morning
was a relief.
4. The
morning,
was a relief.
Dr.Sanchez
Sanchezworks
says the
long
work
hours
and
of
5. Dr.
long
hours
and
has a
lot level
of responsibility,
responsibility
bother
her.her.
but
she says itdon’t
doesn’t
bother
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.
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.
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]
Review B
Revise each sentence to correct the unclear pronoun
reference.
Most people
people prefer
prefer loyal
loyal friends,
friends, but
but some
some people
people think
1. Most
think
loyalty
is not important.
it
is not
important.
2. Do
not leave
the open
bag open.
It willthe
cause
rollsout.
to dry
Leaving
the bag
will cause
rollsthe
to dry
out.
3. On
that
station
they are ashowing
a film
about Alaska.
That
station
is showing
film about
Alaska.
4. Mike
a copyand
of the
made.
Mike gave
madePedro
a diagram
gavediagram
a copy he
of ithad
to Pedro.
5. Serena
workedbecause
hard, and
that
is why
she
Serena had
succeeded
she
worked
hard.
succeeded.
The End