Question

exercise 1
revising sentences to correct ambiguous and
general pronoun references
rewrite each of the sentences below, correcting the ambiguous or general pronoun
references. if a sentence is correct, write c. (there may be more than one correct way to
revise a sentence.)
ex. pedro was arguing with bill about a letter he had written.
pedro and bill were arguing about the letter bill had written.

1. my cousin freda writes poems and stories, which i think is quite admirable.

______________________________________________________________________

1. the candidate spoke clearly and to the point. that should show up his opponents.

______________________________________________________________________

1. nika was surprised to find a parking ticket on her windshield.

______________________________________________________________________

1. there was a concert at the as the bowling tournament, and it caused confusion.

______________________________________________________________________

1. the corporal reported to the lieutenant that his patrol was missing.

______________________________________________________________________

1. i received a card from my brother and a book from my aunt, which made me happy.

______________________________________________________________________

1. julio noticed that kendrick was wearing his boots.

______________________________________________________________________

1. after lauren’s goat bumped into the fence, it kept right on going.

______________________________________________________________________

1. more than 200 people saw the play on opening night, which pleased the cast.

______________________________________________________________________

1. isabel texted abby while she was out.

______________________________________________________________________

Explanation:

1. The original sentence has an ambiguous "which" (could refer to poems, stories, or the act of writing). Revised to clarify.
2. "That" is ambiguous (could refer to speaking clearly or to the point). Revised to specify.
3. Correct as "her" clearly refers to Nika.
4. "It" is ambiguous (could refer to concert or tournament). Revised to clarify.
5. "His" is ambiguous (could refer to corporal or lieutenant). Revised to specify.
6. "Which" is ambiguous (could refer to card, book, or receiving both). Revised to clarify.
7. "His" is ambiguous (could refer to Julio or Kendrick). Revised to specify.
8. "It" is ambiguous (could refer to goat or fence). Revised to clarify.
9. Correct as "which" clearly refers to the fact that over 200 people saw the play.
10. "She" is ambiguous (could refer to Isabel or Abby). Revised to specify.

Answer:

1. My cousin Freda writes poems and stories. I think her writing is quite admirable.
2. The candidate spoke clearly and to the point. This clear - speaking should show up his opponents.
3. C
4. There was a concert at the same time as the bowling tournament. The simultaneous events caused confusion.
5. The corporal reported to the lieutenant that the corporal's patrol was missing.
6. I received a card from my brother and a book from my aunt. Receiving these gifts made me happy.
7. Julio noticed that Kendrick was wearing Kendrick's boots.
8. After Lauren's goat bumped into the fence, the goat kept right on going.
9. C
10. Isabel texted Abby while Isabel was out.