Worked examples
Two examples
Example 1
Is it clear? Rosa told Ana that she got the job.
- Find the pronoun: she. Ask who it points back to.
- Two women are named. She could mean Rosa or Ana. The reader cannot tell.
- A fix: Rosa told Ana, “You got the job.”
Answer: Unclear
Example 2
Is it clear? Keisha lost her keys, so she called the super.
- The pronouns are her and she.
- Only one woman is named, Keisha. The super is a different person, and she could not sensibly mean the super calling the super.
- Each pronoun points to one clear word.
Answer: Clear
Where this is taught: Grammar: Start Here, Part 3: Pronouns
More practice: Quiz 40, Pronoun case and unclear pronouns · In your Kaplan book: Unit 1, Chapter 8, Lesson 1, “Noun and Pronoun Agreement”
The drill
Ten questions
How many:
Tap your answer to each one, then press Check my answers at the bottom.Circle your answer to each one. The answer key, with the reasoning, is on the last page.