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Ten Serious Errors to Recognize and Revise

Unclear Pronoun Reference

Pronoun reference: Clear and close reference

Pronoun reference: Clear and close reference

This activity contains 10 questions.

	Choose the revision of the following sentence in which the pronoun(s) refers to a clear and close antecedent. Samantha told Joan that she was Elvis Presley's biggest fan.   No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough. Samantha told Joan that Samantha was Elvis Presley's biggest fan. Samantha told Joan that Elvis Presley's biggest fan was she.

	Choose the revision of the following sentence in which the pronoun(s) refers to a clear and close antecedent. Nicky and George easily began a conversation with the twins in the class, for they are very friendly.   They easily began a conversation with the twins in the class, for they are very friendly. No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough. Because Nicky and George are very friendly, they easily began a conversation with the twins in the class.

	Choose the revision of the following sentence in which the pronouns refer to a clear and close antecedent. Before we can improve the access problems for students with disabilities, we must learn where they are.   We must learn where the access problems for students with disabilities are before we can improve them. No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough. We must learn where they are before we can improve the access problems for students with disabilities.

	Choose the revision of the following sentence in which the pronoun(s) refers to a clear and close antecedent. After helping her daughter with her homework, she went downstairs to watch television.   The mother went downstairs to watch television after helping her daughter with her homework. After helping her daughter with her homework, she, the mother, went downstairs to watch television. No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough.

	Choose the revision of the following sentence in which the pronoun(s) refers to a clear and close antecedent. Preschool learning activities should not exceed children's interests, or they will quickly be rejected.   They will quickly be rejected if preschool learning activities exceed children's interests. No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough. Preschool learning activities will quickly be rejected if they exceed children's interests.

	Choose the revision of the following sentence in which the pronoun(s) refers to a clear and close antecedent. The parents of the children met with the teacher so that she could discuss their behavior.   No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough. So that she could discuss their behavior, the parents of the children met with the teacher. The parents met with the teacher so that she could discuss their children's behavior.

	Choose the best revision of the following sentence that corrects the ambiguity by providing the clearest and closest pronoun reference. Teenagers often like their friends' parents even though they experience a generation gap.   No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough. Even though they experience a generation gap, teenagers often like their friends' parents. Even though teenagers experience a generation gap, they often like their friends' parents.

	Choose the revision of the following sentence in which the pronoun(s) refers a clear and close antecedent. Blanche wanted Rena to work with her on the project, but she couldn't reach her.   No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough. Rena couldn't reach Blanche, but she wanted to work with her on the project. Blanche wanted Rena to work with her on the project, but Blanche couldn't reach her.

	Choose the revision of the following sentence in which the pronoun(s) refers a clear and close antecedent. Last February, the town began investigating the quality of its high school band program, but it has not yet been completed.   Last February, the town began investigating the quality of its high school band program, but the investigation is still incomplete. Though it has not yet been completed, the town began investigating the quality of its high school band program last February. No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough.

	Choose the revision of the following sentence in which the pronoun(s) refers a clear and close antecedent. Oscar hated his parents but loved his grandparents because they never gave him any money for college.   Because they never gave him any money for college, Oscar hated his parents but loved his grandparents. Oscar hated his parents because they never gave him any money for college, but he loved his grandparents. No change to the original; pronoun reference is clear enough.

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