Identifying and Correcting Vague Pronouns
This worksheet helps 8th-grade students identify and correct vague pronoun references in sentences and passages.
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Identifying and Correcting Vague Pronouns
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Read each section carefully and follow the instructions for identifying and correcting vague pronoun references.
A pronoun is vague when it is not clear which noun it refers to. This can make sentences confusing. For example, in the sentence 'Sarah told Mary that she was late,' it's unclear whether 'she' refers to Sarah or Mary.
1. In which of the following sentences does a pronoun have a vague antecedent?
John gave his brother a present, and he was happy.
When the dog chased the cat, it ran up the tree.
The students finished their homework before class.
My mother loves her new book.
2. Choose the sentence with a vague pronoun reference.
The teacher told the student that he passed the test.
The car hit the pole, but it wasn't damaged badly.
She gave him the book, and he thanked her.
My sister and her friend went to the concert.
Rewrite each sentence to correct the vague pronoun reference. Replace the vague pronoun with a clearer noun or rephrase the sentence.
3. The principal told the teacher that she needed to submit the grades by Friday.
4. When the children saw the puppies, they immediately wanted to play with them.
5. Sarah and Jane went to the store, and she bought a new dress.
Read the following passage. Identify any vague pronouns and rewrite the sentences to make their references clear.
My brother and his friend went hiking in the mountains. They packed their bags, but it was heavier than they expected. When they reached the summit, they saw a beautiful view. He pointed out a distant lake, and it looked very peaceful.
6. Identify the vague pronouns and explain why they are vague:
7. Rewrite the sentences with vague pronouns to clarify their meaning:
Indicate whether each statement about vague pronouns is True or False.
8. A vague pronoun always refers to the closest noun in the sentence.
True
False
9. Replacing a vague pronoun with a specific noun is one way to correct it.
True
False