IXL | Identify vague pronoun references | 12th grade language arts

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

If Adele's skirt doesn't match the blouse, she will have to exchange the blouse for another item.

If Adele's skirt doesn't match the blouse, she will have to exchange it for another item.

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question

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

They are researching a hybrid South African tobacco plant that may decrease reliance on fossil fuels. It contains oily seeds that can be transformed into sustainable biofuel.

Scientists are researching a hybrid South African tobacco plant that may decrease reliance on fossil fuels. It contains oily seeds that can be transformed into sustainable biofuel.

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 first answer choice contains a vague pronoun reference. The pronoun they is used without its antecedent.

The second answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. They has been replaced with scientists.

Scientists are researching a hybrid South African tobacco plant that may decrease reliance on fossil fuels. It contains oily seeds that can be transformed into sustainable biofuel.

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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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