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 laurens 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. jacob texted abby while she was out.

Explanation:

1. The original sentence has an ambiguous "which" reference. By rephrasing, we clarify that the action of writing poems and stories is admirable.
2. The original "That" is ambiguous. Rewriting makes it clear that the candidate's speaking style shows up his opponents.
3. This sentence is correct as the pronoun "her" clearly refers to Nika.
4. The original "it" is ambiguous. Rewriting specifies what caused the confusion.
5. The original "his" is ambiguous. Rewriting clarifies whose patrol is missing.
6. The original "which" is ambiguous. Rewriting makes it clear what made the speaker happy.
7. The original "his" is ambiguous. Rewriting clarifies whose boots are being worn.
8. The original "it" is ambiguous. Rewriting clarifies what kept going.
9. This sentence is correct as the "which" clearly refers to the fact that more than 200 people saw the play.

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, which should show up his opponents.
3. C
4. There was a concert at the same time as the bowling tournament, and the overlap caused confusion.
5. The corporal reported to the lieutenant, “Your patrol is missing.”
6. I received a card from my brother and a book from my aunt. Both 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