Transcript Using Clear Pronoun Reference

Understanding Clear Reference
What does reference mean?
Pronouns and antecedents
Ambiguous reference
General reference
Weak reference
Indefinite reference
Review A
Review B
What does reference mean?
When you refer to something, you point to
something specific.
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.
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
museum, but it had
closed for the day.
Think of the arrow as the
reference, or the connection,
between pronoun and antecedent.
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
him
Amy promised Jim
Jim she would help him
clean the kitchen.
The meaning of she is The meaning of him is
clear because we know clear because we know
she refers to Amy.
him refers to Jim.
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.
Unclear
Clear
Clear
Eli is always thinking about computers.
It seems to be his only interest.
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.
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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?
Ambiguous reference
To correct an ambiguous reference, change the
wording so that the pronoun clearly refers to just
one antecedent.
Ambiguous
reference
Colleenthe
When
called
ship Alicia
struckwhile
the dock,
she was
it
burst into
doing
her homework.
flames.
Clear
While
The
Which
dock
Colleen
burst
burst
into
was
into
flames—the
doing
flames
herwhen
ship
thethe
or
homework,
ship
dock?
struck
she it.
called Alicia.
Clear
While Alicia
When
it struck
wasthe
doing
dock,
herthe ship
burst into flames.
homework,
Colleen called her.
[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
Mariana told jokes and sang funny
songs. This amused her audience.
This has no specific antecedent.
What does this refer to?
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.
General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in generalreference 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.
General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in generalreference 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.
General reference
Some pronouns commonly found in generalreference 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.
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.
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.
Weak reference
Revise sentences to eliminate weak pronoun
references.
Weak
reference
Clear
IBeing
take neighborly
many photographs
is important
with because
my
camera
you
mayand
need
consider
their help
it ansome
enjoyable
day in an
hobby.
emergency.
IBeing
take neighborly
many photographs
is important
with because
my
camera
you
mayand
need
consider
your neighbor’s
photography
helpan
enjoyable in
someday
hobby.
an emergency.
[End of Section]
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.
Indefinite reference
To correct an indefinite reference, reword the
sentence to avoid using the pronoun.
Indefinite
reference
Clear
In the magazine article it describes the
aftermath of the eruption.
The magazine article describes the
aftermath of the eruption.
Indefinite reference
Most indefinite-reference errors are caused by the
misuse of the pronouns it, they, and you.
Indefinite
reference
Clear
Throughout the book it uses expressions
unique to Maine.
Expressions unique to Maine are used
throughout the book.
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.
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.
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]
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.
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]
The End