Ambiguous pronoun reference

Ambiguous pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could refer to two possible antecedents.

AMBIGUOUS

Incorrect example sentence: When Gloria set the pitcher on the glass-topped table, it broke.

Incorrect example sentence: Tom told James that he had won the lottery.

What broke—the table or the pitcher? Who won the lottery—Tom or James? Revising the sentences can eliminate the ambiguity.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: When Gloria set the pitcher on the glass-topped table, it broke. Revised sentence: The pitcher broke when Gloria set it on the glass-topped table.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: When Gloria set the pitcher on the glass-topped table, it broke. Revised sentence: When Gloria set the pitcher on the glass-topped table, the pitcher broke.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Tom told James that he had won the lottery. Revised sentence: Tom told James, “You have won the lottery.”

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Tom told James that he had won the lottery. Revised sentence: Tom told James, “I have won the lottery.”

Exercise: Pronoun reference 1

Exercise: Pronoun reference 2

Exercise: Pronoun reference 3

Exercise: Pronoun reference 4