Vague Pronouns

Front

What is a vague pronoun?

Back

A pronoun that is confusing because it can refer to more than one person or thing.

Front

Identify a sentence that does not contain a vague pronoun error.

Back

Eli is always thinking about computers; technology seems to be his only interest.

Front

What is the vague pronoun in the sentence: 'They said the snow was going to start falling at midnight.'?

Back

They.

Front

Which sentence contains a vague pronoun? 'Dad yelled at Rick, but he was just being silly.'

Back

The sentence contains a vague pronoun: 'he'.

Front

Which sentence contains a vague pronoun? 'We stopped at a shop but didn't see any worth buying.'

Back

The sentence contains a vague pronoun: 'any'.

Front

What is the purpose of using pronouns in sentences?

Back

To replace nouns and avoid repetition.

Front

How can vague pronouns lead to confusion in writing?

Back

They can make it unclear who or what is being referred to, leading to ambiguity.

Front

What is an example of a clear pronoun reference?

Back

In the sentence 'Maria gave her book to Sarah,' 'her' clearly refers to Maria.

Front

What is the difference between a vague pronoun and a specific pronoun?

Back

A vague pronoun can refer to multiple antecedents, while a specific pronoun clearly identifies one antecedent.

Front

How can writers avoid vague pronouns?

Back

By ensuring that pronouns have clear and unambiguous antecedents.