IXL | Identify vague pronoun references | 10th grade language arts

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

According to Carly, Willie Mays hit 660 career home runs, although Joe DiMaggio had a higher batting average. She said that Mays is her favorite player.

According to Carly, Willie Mays hit 660 career home runs, although Joe DiMaggio had a higher batting average. She said that he is her favorite player.

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question

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

Tom separated the almonds from the cashews because of his strong aversion to cashews.

Tom separated the almonds from the cashews because of his strong aversion to them.

key idea

When writing, make sure to avoid vague pronoun references. 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.

Vague pronoun references can be corrected in one of two ways:

1. Replace the pronoun with its correct antecedent:

When Lisa and Kim finally landed, Lisa breathed a sigh of relief.

2. Rewrite the sentence:

Lisa breathed a sigh of relief when she and Kim finally landed.

A vague pronoun reference also occurs when they, them, their, theirs, it, or its is used without its antecedent.

They say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes.

The pronoun they is used without its antecedent, so the meaning of the sentence is unclear.

This problem can be fixed by replacing the pronoun with its missing antecedent.

The advertisements say that this nail polish dries in less than five minutes.

solution

The second answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun them could refer to the almonds or the cashews.

The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. Them has been replaced with cashews.

Tom separated the almonds from the cashews because of his strong aversion to cashews.

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Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

II.1Identify pronouns and their antecedents

II.2Use the pronoun that agrees with the antecedent

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