Review: Pronoun Reference

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In each of the following sentences, decide whether the writer used the highlighted pronoun appropriately for formal writing.

1. It says in this article in The Atlantic Advocate that Frederictonians are taking up line dancing in unprecedented numbers.

Oops!

Question:
It says in this article in The Atlantic Advocate that Frederictonians are taking up line dancing in unprecedented numbers.
Answer:
The answer right is not correct.
Explanation:
The pronoun it refers either to the article or to The Atlantic Advocate; it does not have a clear and specific antecedent.

Good work!

Question:
It says in this article in The Atlantic Advocate that Frederictonians are taking up line dancing in unprecedented numbers.
Answer:
The answer wrong is correct.
Explanation:
The pronoun it refers either to the article or to The Atlantic Advocate; it does not have a clear and specific antecedent.

2. They say Frederictonians often gather at clubs and dance the night away.

Oops!

Question:
They say Frederictonians often gather at clubs and dance the night away.
Answer:
The answer right is not correct.
Explanation:
The pronoun they does not have a clear and specific antecedent.

Good work!

Question:
They say Frederictonians often gather at clubs and dance the night away.
Answer:
The answer wrong is correct.
Explanation:
The pronoun they does not have a clear and specific antecedent.

3. Recently Frederictonians gave a demonstration of their craft at the Saint John Exhibition.

Good work!

Question:
Recently Frederictonians gave a demonstration of their craft at the Saint John Exhibition.
Answer:
The answer right is correct.
Explanation:
The pronoun their can refer only to the noun Frederictonians, which precedes it.

Oops!

Question:
Recently Frederictonians gave a demonstration of their craft at the Saint John Exhibition.
Answer:
The answer wrong is not correct.
Explanation:
The pronoun their can refer only to the noun Frederictonians, which precedes it.

4. When a dancer which is talented performs the best-known numbers the entire audience becomes involved.

Oops!

Question:
When a dancer which is talented performs the best-known numbers the entire audience becomes involved.
Answer:
The answer right is not correct.
Explanation:
This sentence is grammatically correct, but many consider it a matter of good style not to use which to refer to people—who is talented is a better choice.

Good work!

Question:
When a dancer which is talented performs the best-known numbers the entire audience becomes involved.
Answer:
The answer wrong is correct.
Explanation:
This sentence is grammatically correct, but many consider it a matter of good style not to use which to refer to people—who is talented is a better choice.

5. In Martha’s Guide to Fredericton she lists all the line dancing halls within 50 kilometres.

Oops!

Question:
In Martha’s Guide to Fredericton she lists all the line dancing halls within 50 kilometres.
Answer:
The answer right is not correct.
Explanation:
On careful reading it is clear that the pronoun she must refer to the possessive noun Martha’s, but this type of a reference is very awkward.

Good work!

Question:
In Martha’s Guide to Fredericton she lists all the line dancing halls within 50 kilometres.
Answer:
The answer wrong is correct.
Explanation:
On careful reading it is clear that the pronoun she must refer to the possessive noun Martha’s, but this type of a reference is very awkward.

6. Although Fredericton is a small town it has many interesting sights, and Ruth enjoys spring because it is the season when all dancers buy new outfits.

Good work!

Question:
Although Fredericton is a small town it has many interesting sights, and Ruth enjoys spring because it is the season when all dancers buy new outfits.
Answer:
The answer right is correct.
Explanation:
Although this sentence contains the pronoun it twice, the writer uses both correctly, referring to the specific antecedents Fredericton (or town) and spring.

Oops!

Question:
Although Fredericton is a small town it has many interesting sights, and Ruth enjoys spring because it is the season when all dancers buy new outfits.
Answer:
The answer wrong is not correct.
Explanation:
Although this sentence contains the pronoun it twice, the writer uses both correctly, referring to the specific antecedents Fredericton (or town) and spring.

7. It is normal for tourists to visit Fredericton from all over Canada, especially in the summer, to watch the dancers.

Good work!

Question:
It is normal for tourists to visit Fredericton from all over Canada, especially in the summer, to watch the dancers.
Answer:
The answer right is correct.
Explanation:
It is is a perfectly correct idiomatic expression in English.

Oops!

Question:
It is normal for tourists to visit Fredericton from all over Canada, especially in the summer, to watch the dancers.
Answer:
The answer wrong is not correct.
Explanation:
It is is a perfectly correct idiomatic expression in English.

8. Line dancing has a long and illustrious history, and it is especially popular with young people.

Oops!

Question:
Line dancing has a long and illustrious history, and it is especially popular with young people.
Answer:
The answer right is not correct.
Explanation:
It is not clear what is popular with young people, line dancing or the history of line dancing. Since the nearest possible antecedent is history, this sentence could be confusing.

Good work!

Question:
Line dancing has a long and illustrious history, and it is especially popular with young people.
Answer:
The answer wrong is correct.
Explanation:
It is not clear what is popular with young people, line dancing or the history of line dancing. Since the nearest possible antecedent is history, this sentence could be confusing.

9. Grandparents, who were the first generation to line dance, taught their children that this activity was part of Fredericton’s heritage.

Good work!

Question:
Grandparents, who were the first generation to line dance, taught their children that this activity was part of Fredericton’s heritage.
Answer:
The answer right is correct.
Explanation:
The relative pronoun who is used to refer to people (in this case, grandparents). You should not use that or which here.

Oops!

Question:
Grandparents, who were the first generation to line dance, taught their children that this activity was part of Fredericton’s heritage.
Answer:
The answer wrong is not correct.
Explanation:
The relative pronoun who is used to refer to people (in this case, grandparents). You should not use that or which here.

10. The reasons for keeping this tradition alive include an awareness of your roots and pride in your heritage.

Oops!

Question:
The reasons for keeping this tradition alive include an awareness of your roots and pride in your heritage.
Answer:
The answer right is not correct.
Explanation:

The writer here is assuming that only a certain group of people (Frederictonians whose cultural heritage includes line dancing) will be reading the sentence. It would be better to rewrite the sentence as follows:

Frederictonians keep this tradition alive to help them remember their roots and take pride in their heritage.

Good work!

Question:
The reasons for keeping this tradition alive include an awareness of your roots and pride in your heritage.
Answer:
The answer wrong is correct.
Explanation:

The writer here is assuming that only a certain group of people (Frederictonians whose cultural heritage includes line dancing) will be reading the sentence. It would be better to rewrite the sentence as follows:

Frederictonians keep this tradition alive to help them remember their roots and take pride in their heritage.

Avis de droit d’auteur pour l’outil HyperGrammar 2

© Département d’anglais, Faculté des arts, Université d’Ottawa
Un outil mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada

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