APPLYING THE RULE
Rule 1: The antecedent cannot be missing.
- Be especially careful with they, them, it, this, and that. These pronouns are often incorrectly used without antecedents. To correct a sentence with a missing antecedent, replace the pronoun with a noun.
INCORRECT: They told me that class was canceled last Friday.
CORRECT: My classmates told me that class was canceled Last Friday.
INCORRECT: It
said in the paper today that college tuition will increase again.
CORRECT: Someone reported in the paper today that college tuition will increase again soon.
INCORRECT: My father is an engineer, but this is not the career for me.
CORRECT: My father is an engineer, but engineering is not the career for me.
TEST YOURSELF
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Rule 2: A pronoun must have only one antecedent.
- If a pronoun can refer to more than one noun, the meaning will be ambiguous. To correct a sentence with too many antecedents, rewrite the sentence.
INCORRECT: Uncle Charlie asked Dennis to drive his car to the game.
CORRECT: Uncle Charlie said, "Dennis, please drive your car to the game."
INCORRECT: The doctor told Tasha that she needed a vacation.
CORRECT:The doctor told Tasha to take a vacation. (pronoun eliminated)
TEST YOURSELF
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Rule 3: The antecedent cannot be a verb or an action.
- The antecedent must be a noun. Be especially careful with this, that, these, those, and which. To correct a sentence with a pronoun referring to an action, add a noun to the sentence.
INCORRECT: As I had no other way to get home, I hitchhiked. This had many disadvantages.
CORRECT: As I had no other way to get home, I hitchhiked. Hitchhiking had many disadvantages
INCORRECT: Selina lived in Alaska for two years which caused her to appreciate Florida.
CORRECT: Selina lived in Alaska for two years, an experience which caused her to appreciate Florida.
TEST YOURSELF
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