| EXPLANATION:
When you use a pronoun, make sure it clearly refers
to a specific word or group of words. If the pronoun appears to refer to
more than one word, the sentence you make can be confusing. (Look at sentences
1 and 2 for example.) Confusion also emerges when the pronoun does not
refer to any specific word. (Look at sentences 3 and 4 for example.)
|
Vague
Reference
|
Clear
Reference
|
|
My sister argued with mom every time she
was home for vacation.
|
Every time when
my sister was home for vacation, she argued with mom.
OR
Every time when mom was home for vacation,
my sister argued with her. |
|
Jack told his father that he did not
understand a thing.
|
Jack told his father,
“You don’t understand a thing.” |
|
My father is an engineer, but I am not interested
in it.
|
My father is an engineer,
but I am not interested in becoming one.
OR
My father is an engineer, but I am not interested
in engineering. |
|
I have dreamed of becoming a great philosopher
and am trying my best to achieve it.
|
I have dreamed of becoming
a great philosopher and am trying my best to achieve my dream. |
| NB: Always
check pronoun reference when you use pronouns such as it, this, that,
and which. A high percentage is that you are making a confusing
or unclear sentence because the pronoun you use has no clear reference. |
|
|
Also read University of Victoria's explanation
regarding this error:
|
|
http://www.maclab.uvic.ca/writersguide/Pages/MarkProRef.html
|
[Course
Description] [Syllabus]
[Handouts]
[Relevant
Links]
[Cultural
Connections] [Web Class]
[Internet_Course
Page]
[English
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