A vague pronoun reference might include
words such as it, that, this, and which, and can leave the reader wondering
what or to whom the pronoun refers. Writers who strive for clarity in their work should be certain that each pronoun has a specific antecedent.
How do you identify vague pronouns?
A pronoun is vague when it’s unclear which noun the pronoun refers to. To correct a vague pronoun,
replace the pronoun with its noun antecedent
.
What is the best definition of a vague pronoun?
A vague pronoun reference occurs
when a pronoun could refer to more than one possible antecedent
. When Lisa and Kim finally landed, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pronoun she could refer to either Lisa or Kim, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear.
Which sentences use vague pronouns?
Each of these sentences has the same problem:
* Harry was always late for class, and it drove his teacher crazy
. * Harry was always late for class, and this drove his teacher crazy. * Harry was always late for class, which drove his teacher crazy. That problem is vague pronoun reference.
Why are vague pronouns bad?
It is hard to say, because the original isn’t clear. Vague pronouns
lead to multiple interpretations and loss of meaning
. To sum up this simple rule: Be clear when using pronouns.
What is a vague word?
1a :
not clearly expressed
: stated in indefinite terms vague accusations. b : not having a precise meaning a vague term of abuse. 2a : not clearly defined, grasped, or understood : indistinct only a vague notion of what’s needed also : slight a vague hint of a thickening waistline hasn’t the vaguest idea.
How do you fix vague writing?
How to Avoid Vague Writing. – Use
descriptions
if you need to convey your impression of an object, scene, or person. Instead of saying, “My new boss has a weird appearance,” for instance, you could write: “My new boss has purple hair and dark-red lipstick, and instead of a business suit, she wore jeans and a singlet.”
Is them a vague word?
A pronoun is a word that is used as a replacement or substitution for a noun. Commonly used pronouns include I, we, they, he, she, it, they, these, those, who, and what. … A
pronoun is considered to be vague when it is difficult to determine what
the pronoun refers to (the antecedent).
What is a vague pronoun error?
Faulty / vague pronoun reference errors also
occur when the pronoun’s antecedent functions as an adjective rather than a noun
. In such cases, the true antecedent is “hidden” or obscured from the reader because it has been subordinated to another noun. Thus, we call this kind of faulty antecedent a hidden antecedent.
How do you fix ambiguous pronouns?
When a pronoun and its antecedent are separated by other words, the pronoun reference may be unclear. To avoid this issue, rewrite the sentence in order to
place the pronoun closer to the antecedent to which it refers
. Let’s take a look at an example: When Elizabeth dropped her computer on the table, it broke.
What is the difference between a pronoun and an antecedent?
A personal pronoun takes the place of a noun. An antecedent is the word, phrase, or
clause
to which a pronoun refers.
What every pronoun needs?
Pronouns
must agree in number, in gender, and person with their antecedents
. Additionally, pronouns should also agree with the antecendent in number, gender, and person.
Which sentence has a vague pronoun error?
Another kind of faulty/vague pronoun reference error occurs when
a writer uses a pronoun without supplying the antecedent
. Incorrect: “The witness called the television station, but they didn’t answer.” In this example, the pronoun “they” has no antecedent to which it can refer.
How do you fix a vague pronoun reference?
If the antecedent is missing
, rewrite the sentence to include a clear antecedent for each vague pronoun. An appropriate noun or noun phrase may be added after this or before which. If a sentence begins with it, replace it with a noun or a noun phrase.
How do you avoid vague pronouns?
To avoid vague pronouns,
be as specific as possible in your descriptions
, rather than relying on your reader’s ability to interpret the pronoun correctly e.g., “when spring arrived last year, the sunshine returned, the flowers bloomed, and the birds sang.
Do subject verbs agree?
Subjects and
verbs must AGREE with one another in number
(singular or plural). Thus, if a subject is singular, its verb must also be singular; if a subject is plural, its verb must also be plural. verbs REMOVE an s from the singular form.
