Pronounreference

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Simmons.

This presentation is brought to you by

Grammar Bytes!, ©2010 by Robin L.

Simmons.

Pronoun ReferencePronoun ReferencePronoun ReferencePronoun Reference

Can I say just she?Can I say just she?

Or do I have to use

Esmerelda?

Or do I have to use

Esmerelda?

This presentation covers identifying unclear pronoun

reference and selecting the appropriate correction.

This presentation covers identifying unclear pronoun

reference and selecting the appropriate correction.

A pronoun reference item on an A pronoun reference item on an objective test might look like objective test might look like this this .. .. ..

Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item

Bryan told his lab partner Craig that he Bryan told his lab partner Craig that he

needed safety goggles for the experiment.needed safety goggles for the experiment.

A.A.theirtheirB.B.CraigCraigC.C.ititD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Bryan told Bryan told hishis lab partner Craig that lab partner Craig that hehe AA BBneeded safety goggles for needed safety goggles for the experimentthe experiment.. CC


Bryan told Bryan told hishis lab partner Craig that lab partner Craig that CraigCraig AA BBneeded safety goggles for needed safety goggles for the experimentthe experiment.. CC


Is his, he, or the

experiment a problem?

Is his, he, or the

experiment a problem?

He is an ambiguous

pronoun, which option B corrects.

He is an ambiguous

pronoun, which option B corrects.

Two or More People, Same Two or More People, Same GenderGender

Two or More People, Same Two or More People, Same GenderGender

Martin complained to Brad that he did not Martin complained to Brad that he did not have the right answers to the algebra have the right answers to the algebra problems. problems.

Is Martin complaining about his own lack of math skill or Brad’s?

Is Martin complaining about his own lack of math skill or Brad’s?

Martin complained to Brad thatMartin complained to Brad that Martin Martin did did not have the right answers to the algebra not have the right answers to the algebra problems. problems.

Martin complained to Brad thatMartin complained to Brad that Brad Brad did did not have the right answers to the algebra not have the right answers to the algebra problems. problems.

Martin complained to BradMartin complained to Brad, “I , “I do not have do not have the right answers to the algebra the right answers to the algebra problems.problems.””

Martin complained to BradMartin complained to Brad, “You , “You do not do not have the right answers to the algebra have the right answers to the algebra problems.problems.””

If you don’t like the repetition of the names, add a quotation.

If you don’t like the repetition of the names, add a quotation.

Ambiguous Ambiguous TheyTheyAmbiguous Ambiguous TheyThey

Our garden has not attracted many bees Our garden has not attracted many bees this year. They say that these insects are this year. They say that these insects are disappearing all over the country. disappearing all over the country.

They who? Psychics? Astrologers? Or a

respectable source like entomologists?

They who? Psychics? Astrologers? Or a

respectable source like entomologists? The bees say!

That’s who!The bees say!

That’s who!

Our garden has not attracted many bees Our garden has not attracted many bees this year.this year. Scientists Scientists say that these insects say that these insects are disappearing all over the country. are disappearing all over the country.

Ambiguous Ambiguous ItItAmbiguous Ambiguous ItIt

It says on the news that we can expect rain It says on the news that we can expect rain later today. later today.

What says? A newscaster? The

weatherman? Doppler radar?

What says? A newscaster? The

weatherman? Doppler radar?

Tom Terry, Channel 9’s chief Tom Terry, Channel 9’s chief meteorologist,meteorologist, says that we can expect says that we can expect rain later today. rain later today.

Quick TestQuick TestQuick TestQuick Test

Directions:Directions: In the items that follow, choose In the items that follow, choose the option that corrects an error in the the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”“No change is necessary.”

Your turn! Let’s see what you can do.

Your turn! Let’s see what you can do.

Item 1Item 1Item 1Item 1

We decided to swim in the hotel pool since it We decided to swim in the hotel pool since it says at the lifeguard stand that sharks are says at the lifeguard stand that sharks are feeding near shore.feeding near shore.

A.A.it states at the lifeguard standit states at the lifeguard standB.B.they say at the lifeguard standthey say at the lifeguard standC.C.the lifeguard saysthe lifeguard saysD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

We decided to swim in the hotel pool since We decided to swim in the hotel pool since it it says at the lifeguard standsays at the lifeguard stand that sharks are that sharks are feeding near shore.feeding near shore.


We decided to swim in the hotel pool since We decided to swim in the hotel pool since it it says at the lifeguard standsays at the lifeguard stand that sharks are that sharks are feeding near shore.feeding near shore.



The doctor told Veronica that she had The doctor told Veronica that she had

headaches because of the high stress level at the headaches because of the high stress level at the

office. An aspirin would help the headaches a little, office. An aspirin would help the headaches a little,

but a vacation would relieve the stress best.but a vacation would relieve the stress best.

A.A.Doctor LeeDoctor LeeB.B.VeronicaVeronicaC.C.ititD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

The doctorThe doctor told Veronica that told Veronica that sheshe had had AA BBheadaches because of the high stress level at the headaches because of the high stress level at the

office. An aspirin would help office. An aspirin would help the headachesthe headaches a little, a little, CCbut a vacation would relieve the stress best.but a vacation would relieve the stress best.


The doctorThe doctor told Veronica that told Veronica that VeronicaVeronica had had AA BBheadaches because of the high stress level at the headaches because of the high stress level at the

office. An aspirin would help office. An aspirin would help the headachesthe headaches a little, a little, CCbut a vacation would relieve the stress best.but a vacation would relieve the stress best.


Don’t assume all doctors are

male!

Don’t assume all doctors are

male!


Freddie is unhappy with the unhealthy cafeteria Freddie is unhappy with the unhealthy cafeteria choices. They are serving more fried foods and choices. They are serving more fried foods and fewer fruits and vegetables.fewer fruits and vegetables.

A.A.The chefs are servingThe chefs are servingB.B.It isIt isC.C.They prepareThey prepareD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Freddie is unhappy with the unhealthy cafeteria Freddie is unhappy with the unhealthy cafeteria choices. choices. They are servingThey are serving more fried foods and more fried foods and fewer fruits and vegetables.fewer fruits and vegetables.


Freddie is unhappy with the unhealthy cafeteria Freddie is unhappy with the unhealthy cafeteria choices. choices. They are servingThey are serving more fried foods and more fried foods and fewer fruits and vegetables.fewer fruits and vegetables.



They say that the old house on Mayfair is They say that the old house on Mayfair is

haunted, but Caroline doesn’t believe the stories. haunted, but Caroline doesn’t believe the stories.

She is a physics major who has no use for ghosts.She is a physics major who has no use for ghosts.

A.A.NeighborsNeighborsB.B.ititC.C.themthemD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

TheyThey say that the old house on Mayfair is say that the old house on Mayfair is AAhaunted, but Caroline doesn’t believe haunted, but Caroline doesn’t believe the storiesthe stories. . BBShe is a physics major who has no use for She is a physics major who has no use for ghostsghosts.. CC


NeighborsNeighbors say that the old house on Mayfair is say that the old house on Mayfair is AAhaunted, but Caroline doesn’t believe haunted, but Caroline doesn’t believe the storiesthe stories. . BBShe is a physics major who has no use for She is a physics major who has no use for ghostsghosts.. CC



Leonardo called us over and pointed at the Leonardo called us over and pointed at the computer screen. It claimed at the website that computer screen. It claimed at the website that our favorite restaurant serves squirrel!our favorite restaurant serves squirrel!

A.A.At the website, it claimedAt the website, it claimedB.B.The website claimedThe website claimedC.C.The website, it claimedThe website, it claimedD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Leonardo called us over and pointed at the Leonardo called us over and pointed at the computer screen. computer screen. It claimed at the websiteIt claimed at the website that that our favorite restaurant serves squirrel!our favorite restaurant serves squirrel!


Leonardo called us over and pointed at the Leonardo called us over and pointed at the computer screen. computer screen. It claimed at the websiteIt claimed at the website that that our favorite restaurant serves squirrel!our favorite restaurant serves squirrel!



Mom told Aunt Julia that she didn’t raise her children Mom told Aunt Julia that she didn’t raise her children

right. The girls didn’t chew with their mouths closed, right. The girls didn’t chew with their mouths closed,

and the boys burped without excusing themselves.and the boys burped without excusing themselves.

A.A.MomMomB.B.themthemC.C.ititD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Mom told Aunt Julia that Mom told Aunt Julia that sheshe didn’t raise her children didn’t raise her children AAright. The girls didn’t chew with right. The girls didn’t chew with their mouthstheir mouths closed, closed, BBand the boys burped without excusing and the boys burped without excusing themselvesthemselves.. CC


Mom told Aunt Julia that Mom told Aunt Julia that MomMom didn’t raise her children didn’t raise her children AAright. The girls didn’t chew with right. The girls didn’t chew with their mouthstheir mouths closed, closed, BBand the boys burped without excusing and the boys burped without excusing themselvesthemselves.. CC



Mom told Aunt Julia that she needed a lion Mom told Aunt Julia that she needed a lion tamer to get the children under control.tamer to get the children under control.

A.A.Julia, “that she needed … control.”Julia, “that she needed … control.”B.B.Julia, “I need … control.”Julia, “I need … control.”C.C.Julia, You need … control.Julia, You need … control.D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Mom told Aunt Mom told Aunt Julia that she needed a lion Julia that she needed a lion tamer to get the children under control.tamer to get the children under control.


Mom told Aunt Mom told Aunt Julia that she needed a lion Julia that she needed a lion tamer to get the children under control.tamer to get the children under control.



NASA just landed another rover on Mars. NASA just landed another rover on Mars.

They say if water is evident, the government They say if water is evident, the government

will begin colonization plans.will begin colonization plans.

A.A.oneoneB.B.ScientistsScientistsC.C.ititD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

NASA just landed another NASA just landed another roverrover on Mars. on Mars. AATheyThey say if water is evident, the say if water is evident, the governmentgovernment BB CCwill begin colonization plans.will begin colonization plans.


NASA just landed another NASA just landed another roverrover on Mars. on Mars. AAScientistsScientists say if water is evident, the say if water is evident, the governmentgovernment BB CCwill begin colonization plans.will begin colonization plans.



Put that back on the shelf! The label says that Put that back on the shelf! The label says that high fructose corn syrup and partially high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils are ingredients.hydrogenated oils are ingredients.

A.A.It says on the labelIt says on the labelB.B.They claim on the labelThey claim on the labelC.C.On the label it saysOn the label it saysD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Put that back on the shelf! Put that back on the shelf! The label saysThe label says that that high fructose corn syrup and partially high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils are ingredients.hydrogenated oils are ingredients.


Put that back on the shelf! Put that back on the shelf! The label saysThe label says that that high fructose corn syrup and partially high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils are ingredients.hydrogenated oils are ingredients.



Maria explained to Diane that her sauce was too Maria explained to Diane that her sauce was too

salty and too garlicky and would give everyone salty and too garlicky and would give everyone

heartburn.heartburn.

A.A.Sara’sSara’sB.B.himhimC.C.ititD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Maria explained to Diane that Maria explained to Diane that herher sauce was too sauce was too AAsalty and too garlicky and would give salty and too garlicky and would give everyoneeveryone BBheartburnheartburn.. CC


Maria explained to Diane that Maria explained to Diane that Sara’sSara’s sauce was too sauce was too AAsalty and too garlicky and would give salty and too garlicky and would give everyoneeveryone BBheartburnheartburn.. CC


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Grammar Bytes! provides additional

handouts and exercises on pronoun reference.

Go to chompchomp.com!

Grammar Bytes! provides additional

handouts and exercises on pronoun reference.

Go to chompchomp.com!

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Pronounreference