IXL | Identify vague pronoun references

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

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.

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.

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Learn with an example

question

Which of the following contains a vague pronoun reference?

Mrs. Whitaker was overjoyed when she saw her granddaughter for the first time in two years.

When Mrs. Whitaker saw her granddaughter for the first time in two years, she was overjoyed.

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 she could refer to Mrs. Whitaker or her granddaughter.

When Mrs. Whitaker saw her granddaughter for the first time in two years, she was overjoyed.

The first answer choice shows a possible correction for the vague pronoun reference. The text has been rewritten so that the meaning is clear.

Mrs. Whitaker was overjoyed when she saw her granddaughter for the first time in two years.

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Teacher tools

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

II.4Identify vague pronoun references

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