Avoiding Vague Language

 Which sentence has a vague pronoun error?

• Armand visited George after his graduation ceremony had ended.
  
• The puppet show performed by Henry was undoubtedly his best creation yet.
  
• The dog ate all the food in its bowl and all the food in the kitty's bowl too.
  
• My dad spent the entire afternoon raking up all the leaves in our front and backyard.
  

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1D

CCSS.L.3.1A

Which has a vague pronoun.

• Amanda took her mother and three cousins to a second hand store to buy gifts.

• If you look carefully you can see when the magician puts the card up his sleeve.

• Will you take me to your leader?

• As Joe was talking to Sam, he started to cry.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1D

CCSS.L.3.1A

Which one does NOT have a vague pronoun?

• Although the bike hit the tree, it was not damaged.

• The pirates left their gold in a hidden cave.

• Even though Jane invited Sue to the party, she was still upset.

• My aunt visited Paula; it was the first time she had ever left the state. 

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1D

CCSS.L.3.1A

Which has a vague pronoun?

• Despite the heat wave, they say Seattle is a cool city.

• Don't forget to write down your homework.

• The survivors were all lucky to be alive.

• His mother told him another story.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1D

CCSS.L.3.1A

Miss Havisham lives with Estella in HER mansion. (This is vague. Who could "her" refer to in this sentence?)

• Miss Havisham

• Estella

• Miss Havisham and Estella

• mansion

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Which contains a vague pronoun reference?

• Dad yelled at Rick, but he was just being silly.
•  Dad was just being silly when he yelled at Rick.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

The musicians asked me to help put instruments back on the buses, but I can't find THEM. (This is vague. Who could "them" refer to in this sentence?)

• musicians, instruments, and buses

• musicians

• musicians and instruments

• instruments and buses

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Before Sally puts fondant flowers on wedding cakes, she sprinkles THEM with sugar. (This is vague. Who could "them" refer to in this sentence?)

• Sally and flowers

• Sally and flowers and cakes

• flowers and cakes

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Which sentence is written in the best way to avoid any vague pronouns?

• They showed skill in stone masonry to a high degree.

• All showed a high degree of skill in stone masonry.

• A high degree of stone masonry was shown by them.

• The Pueblo people showed a high degree of skill in stone masonry.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D

Which sentence is written in the best way to avoid any vague pronouns?

• Archaeologists are not sure why the Ancestral Pueblo people moved into the cliffs.

• The Ancestral Pueblo people do not know why they moved into the cliffs.

• It is unknown to them why the Ancestral Pueblo moved into the cliffs.

• Why the Ancestral Puebloans moved into the cliffs, they do not know.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.6.1A

CCSS.L.6.1C

CCSS.L.6.1D