College Composition / Unit 5 CMP 0116 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Fixing Pronoun Problems
The idea
Most pronoun problems are fixed by finding each pronoun's antecedent and checking reference, agreement and case in turn.
In practice
Work in order. First, circle each pronoun. Second, draw a line back to its antecedent; if you cannot find one, or find two, replace the pronoun with the noun it should mean. Third, check that the pronoun and antecedent agree in number, and for a collective noun decide whether the group acts as one. Fourth, check case: is the pronoun working as a subject, an object or a possessive? Test compounds by dropping the other person. Fifth, check for unexplained shifts in person, especially to you. Sixth, check every it's and they're by expanding them.
Where people slip
Repeating a noun is better than an unclear pronoun. A sentence that names the board twice is clear; one that says they twice, meaning two different groups, is not.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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