Clarifying Vague Pronouns in Writing

What is essential for pronouns in a sentence?

• They should introduce new concepts.

• They must have clear antecedents.

• They should be used as frequently as possible.

• They must replace all nouns.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

In the example with Serena, what does 'she' refer to?

• An unspecified object

• Serena

• The reader

• Her birthday present

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

What was ambiguous about the pronoun 'it' in the first example?

• Whether it referred to Serena or her happiness

• If it was about Serena or her birthday present

• The specific object it was referring to

• The location Serena liked

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

In the second example, what does 'they' potentially refer to?

• Both the rooms and the children

• The rooms

• The children

• The cleanliness of the situation

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

How was the ambiguity resolved in the second example?

• By moving the children

• By cleaning the rooms

• By rephrasing the entire sentence

• By specifying that the rooms are clean