What is an unclear pronoun?
Unclear pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun (often “it,” “this,” “that,” or “they”) could refer to more than one antecendent in a sentence. To avoid unclear pronoun reference, make sure that every pronoun you use refers clearly and unmistakably to ONE particular noun, or rewrite the sentence for increased clarity.
Why are vague pronouns bad?
Vague pronouns lead to multiple interpretations and loss of meaning. To sum up this simple rule: Be clear when using pronouns.
What is a vague or ambiguous pronoun?
The noun which a pronoun substitutes for or refers to. Ambiguous Pronoun Reference. A pronoun with multiple, possible antecedents. Vague Pronoun Reference. A pronoun without a specific antecedent.
What is a vague pronoun?
What is a Vague Pronoun? A pronoun can be considered vague if it doesn’t clearly refer to a specific person or thing in the sentence (the antecedent). Using demonstrative pronouns, such as ‘it’ or ‘those,’ without a clear antecedent can cause confusion.
What is an unclear pronoun antecedent?
Unclear Antecedent Definition In a sentence, the antecedent is the noun that’s represented by a specific pronoun. An unclear antecedent is what happens when you can’t tell which noun a pronoun is supposed to stand in for.
What is vague pronoun?
What is an unclear antecedent?
Answers and Explanations. When a sentence does not clearly identify which noun a subsequent pronoun refers to, the error is referred to as an unclear antecedent. In this sentence, either the person identified as he, or his brother, could be the victim of bicycle theft.
What is a vague pronoun example?
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.
How do you fix a vague pronoun?
A pronoun is vague when it’s unclear which noun the pronoun refers to. To correct a vague pronoun, replace the pronoun with its noun antecedent. Vague: As soon as Belinda saw Hannah, she waved hello. Corrected: As soon as Belinda saw Hannah, Belinda waved hello.
What’s an ambiguous pronoun?
Ambiguous pronouns occur when a sentence contains two possible antecedents. When a sentence contains two possible antecedents, the sentence should be revised to eliminate the ambiguous pronoun. Careful proofreading can help writers avoid ambiguous pronouns in their writing.