Identify vague pronoun references

Key Notes :

Identify Vague Pronoun References

A vague pronoun reference happens when it’s unclear which noun a pronoun refers to. This can confuse the reader.

Key Points to Remember

1. What is a Pronoun?
   • A pronoun replaces a noun in a sentence.
   • Examples: he, she, it, they, them, this, that
   • 📝 Example:
     • ❌ Alex told Sam that he was tired.
       • Who is tired? Alex or Sam?
     • ✅ Alex told Sam, “I am tired.”
       • Clear now!
2. Vague Pronoun Reference
   • Occurs when a pronoun doesn’t clearly point to a noun.
   • Usually happens with he, she, it, they, this, that, these, those.
   • 📝 Example:
     • ❌ When Sarah gave Emma her notebook, she smiled.
       • Who smiled? Sarah or Emma?
     • ✅ Sarah smiled when she gave Emma her notebook.
3. Tips to Fix Vague Pronouns ✏️
   • Use the noun again instead of the pronoun:
     • ❌ Tom told Jerry that he was late.
     • ✅ Tom told Jerry, “Tom was late.”
   • Rearrange the sentence to clarify:
     • ❌ The teacher gave the students their homework, and they were happy.
     • ✅ The students were happy when the teacher gave them their homework.
   • Be specific with pronouns:
     • ❌ It was fun to watch the movie.
     • ✅ Watching the movie was fun.
4. Common Vague Pronouns ⚠️
   • It – What does “it” refer to?
   • This/That – Which thing?
   • They/Them – Which people?
   • He/She – Which person?
5. Practice Example 💡
   • ❌ Maria gave Anna her book because she finished it.
   • ✅ Maria gave Anna her book because Maria finished it.

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💡 Remember:
A good pronoun reference makes your writing clear and easy to understand. Always ask:
“Who or what is this pronoun referring to?” 🤔

Let’s practice!🖊️