LESSON

10STUDENT LESSON SUMMARY COPYMASTER

Confusing Pronoun Reference

ACADEMIC VOCABULARY

antecedent: the noun, nouns, or another pronoun that a pronoun replaces

indefinite reference: when the pronoun it, you, or they does not clearly referto a specific antecedent

general reference: when the pronoun it, this, that, which, or such is used to refer toa general idea rather than a specific antecedent

ambiguous reference: when a pronoun could refer to two or more antecedents

HERE’S HOW

Step 1: If a pronoun reference is indefinite—lacking a specificantecedent—reword the sentence. Either eliminate the pronoun or replace thepronoun with a noun.

EXAMPLES

Indefinite: In the “Superheroes” article, it discussed only three women. (Whatdoes it refer to?)Clear: The “Superheroes” article discussed only three women.Indefinite: In the article, they state that girls aren’t interested in superheroes. (Whoare they?)Clear: The author of the article states that girls aren’t interested in superheroes.

Step 2: If a pronoun reference is general, reword the sentence. Thepronouns it, this, that, which, or such should refer to a specific antecedent, not a general idea.

EXAMPLES

General: The sidekick is weak and vulnerable, which makes the character appealing.Clear: The sidekick’s weakness and vulnerability make the character appealing.General: Sidekicks don’t like dangerous situations. That is how most people feel.Clear: Like most people, sidekicks don’t like dangerous situations.

Step 3: If a pronoun reference is ambiguous, reword the sentence. Clarifywhom or what the pronoun refers to.

EXAMPLES

Ambiguous: Princess Xena and Gabrielle were featured in a 1990s TV show. Sheinspired a series of books as well. (Who? Xena or Gabrielle?)Clear: Princess Xena and Gabrielle were featured in a 1990s TV show. Xenainspired a series of books as well.Ambiguous: Xena’s allies help her overcome her enemies. They usually come fromanother kingdom. (Who? The allies or the enemies?)Clear: Xena’s allies, who usually come from another kingdom, help her overcomeher enemies.

Standards Lesson Files Book 5: Grammar 91Grade 9

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LESSON

10PRACTICE WORKSHEET A COPYMASTER

Confusing Pronoun Reference

Directions: Rewrite each sentence to correct confusing pronoun reference. If a sentence isclear as it stands, write C. HINT: There may be more than one way to rewrite a sentence.

1. Before Xena became a heroine, she honed her warrior skills, but it was her humanskills that were lacking.

2. It was for leaving her army; she paid the price by going through the gauntlet.

3. No warriors had ever survived the gauntlet before; they had all been killed.

4. It consisted of two lines of warriors striking the person who ran through.

5. After she survived it, Hercules helped her start becoming a heroine.

6. Xena’s archenemy is Callisto the Warrior Queen; her friends include Gabrielle theAmazon princess and the handsome thief Autolycus.

7. When Gabrielle met Xena, her chief weapons were her quick wit and intelligence.

8. Autolycus enjoys danger, which probably attracts Xena.

9. In one episode, you learn that Xena was responsible for the death of Callisto’s parents.

10. This made Callisto vow that she would destroy Xena.

92 Book 5: Grammar Standards Lesson FilesGrade 9

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10PRACTICE WORKSHEET B COPYMASTER

Confusing Pronoun Reference

A. Directions: Rewrite each sentence to correct any confusing pronoun reference. If asentence is correct as it stands, write C. Keep in mind that there may be more than oneway to rewrite a sentence.

1. Pirates were desperate men who turned to a life of crime and violence, which made themwidely feared on the high seas.

2. A rough form of democracy allowed pirates to choose their own captains to set up rules.

3. Both Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Louis Stevenson wrote about pirates; his best-knownnovel is Treasure Island.

4. In one nonfiction book, it says that pirates set up free colonies of their own, such asLibertatia on the island of Madagascar.

5. The pirates of Libertatia held all the goods in a shared treasury, which they had stolen.

B. Directions: On a separate sheet, rewrite the following paragraph, correcting any errorsyou find in pronoun reference and making any other changes that are required. HINT: Thereare four errors.

(6.) In stories and songs, you get the idea that pirates were dashing, elegantcharacters. (7.) Some pirates became national heroes and patriots, which isthe subject of an interesting book I read. (8.) For example, Sir Francis Drakecommitted acts of piracy. (9.) That surprises people who know him only as afamous explorer and navigator. (10.) In the book, they also tell how Sir HenryMorgan became commander of English forces in Jamaica and how Jean Laffitehelped American forces in the War of 1812. (11.) Both men were pirates.

Standards Lesson Files Book 5: Grammar 93Grade 9

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