Learn on PengiElements of Language, 3rd CourseChapter 7: Using Pronouns Correctly: Nominative and Objective Uses; Clear Reference

Lesson 2: Clear Pronoun Reference

In this Grade 6 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 3rd Course, students learn how to identify and correct ambiguous pronoun reference, the problem that occurs when a pronoun could logically refer to more than one antecedent. Students practice distinguishing clear from ambiguous pronoun references and rewrite unclear sentences by either restructuring them or replacing the pronoun with a specific noun.

Section 1

Ambiguous Pronoun Reference

Definition

A pronoun should refer clearly to its antecedent.

Explanation

An ambiguous reference occurs when a pronoun like he or her could refer to more than one possible antecedent. Clarify by replacing the pronoun or restructuring the sentence.

Examples

  • AMBIGUOUS: Sarah talked to Mother about her new job. [Does her refer to Sarah or Mother?]
  • CLEAR: Sarah talked to Mother about Sarah's new job.
  • AMBIGUOUS: After the boys talked to the coach, he advised them to run some wind sprints. [Does he refer to the coach?]
  • CLEAR: The coach advised the boys to run some wind sprints after they talked.

Section 2

General Pronoun Reference

Definition

This problem occurs when a writer uses a pronoun that refers to a general idea rather than to a specific antecedent.

Explanation

This issue, called general reference, often involves pronouns like it, that, this, and which. These words can be unclear if they don't point to a specific noun.

Examples

  • GENERAL: The phone was ringing, and someone was at the door, which caught me off guard.
  • CLEAR: The phone was ringing, and someone was at the door. These demands caught me off guard.
  • GENERAL: A marathon is longer than 26 miles, and that takes endurance.
  • CLEAR: A marathon is longer than 26 miles, and running one takes endurance.

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Chapter 7: Using Pronouns Correctly: Nominative and Objective Uses; Clear Reference

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Case of Pronouns

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Clear Pronoun Reference

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Section 1

Ambiguous Pronoun Reference

Definition

A pronoun should refer clearly to its antecedent.

Explanation

An ambiguous reference occurs when a pronoun like he or her could refer to more than one possible antecedent. Clarify by replacing the pronoun or restructuring the sentence.

Examples

  • AMBIGUOUS: Sarah talked to Mother about her new job. [Does her refer to Sarah or Mother?]
  • CLEAR: Sarah talked to Mother about Sarah's new job.
  • AMBIGUOUS: After the boys talked to the coach, he advised them to run some wind sprints. [Does he refer to the coach?]
  • CLEAR: The coach advised the boys to run some wind sprints after they talked.

Section 2

General Pronoun Reference

Definition

This problem occurs when a writer uses a pronoun that refers to a general idea rather than to a specific antecedent.

Explanation

This issue, called general reference, often involves pronouns like it, that, this, and which. These words can be unclear if they don't point to a specific noun.

Examples

  • GENERAL: The phone was ringing, and someone was at the door, which caught me off guard.
  • CLEAR: The phone was ringing, and someone was at the door. These demands caught me off guard.
  • GENERAL: A marathon is longer than 26 miles, and that takes endurance.
  • CLEAR: A marathon is longer than 26 miles, and running one takes endurance.

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 7: Using Pronouns Correctly: Nominative and Objective Uses; Clear Reference

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Case of Pronouns

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Clear Pronoun Reference

    LearnPractice