Identifying Vague Pronouns | Worksheet - Free Printable
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It looks like you've uploaded a worksheet titled "Identifying Vague Pronouns" that focuses on identifying and correcting vague pronouns in sentences. Since I can't view images directly, I'll help you solve the task based on the text you provided.
Here is the worksheet content you shared:
---
A *pronoun* refers to a noun or noun phrase. A pronoun is *vague* if it's unclear what the antecedent should be. For example, the pronoun could refer to more than one possible noun in the sentence. To keep your writing clear, always use specific language when possible.
Example:
- The principal brought a new computer to the school. He was very happy.
- This is confusing because we don’t know whether “he” refers to the principal or someone else.
OR
- The principal brought a new computer to the school. The principal was very happy.
- This is clearer because the antecedent is repeated.
---
The following sentences each have a vague pronoun in bold. Circle the possible antecedents for each. Then, rewrite the sentence so that the pronoun clearly refers to its intended antecedent.
1. When you are done using the weight equipment in the gym, could you lock it up?
2. Olivia and her cousin Leah go to the same university, but she is graduating in May.
3. After you look at the golden retriever, go to the park. He can see it from his seat beside you.
4. The colonel removed his hat and placed it on the seat beside him.
5. After the neighbors gave you their donations, you placed them in the thrift store.
6. Painting a satin fabric with vegetable oil means that they may need several coats of paint.
7. James gave Jackson a signed first edition of *The Scarlet Letter*, which was a moving present.
8. Separating the yolk from the egg white, and then place them in the mixing bowl.
---
Now, let’s solve each sentence step by step.
---
- Vague pronoun: *it*
- Possible antecedents: "weight equipment"
- Is it vague? No — “it” clearly refers to the “weight equipment.”
- ✔ This sentence is actually not vague. It's clear that “it” refers to the equipment.
- Rewritten (if needed): When you are done using the weight equipment in the gym, could you lock the equipment up?
> ✔ No correction needed.
---
- Vague pronoun: *she*
- Possible antecedents: Olivia or Leah
- Problem: We don’t know who is graduating in May.
- Solution: Specify who.
✔ Rewritten: Olivia and her cousin Leah go to the same university, but Olivia is graduating in May.
(Or: "...but Leah is graduating in May.")
---
- Vague pronoun: *He* and *his*
- Possible antecedents: “you” or “the golden retriever”
- But “the golden retriever” can’t see from a seat — animals don’t typically sit in seats like humans.
- So likely, “he” refers to a person — probably you or someone else.
But the sentence says “he can see it from his seat beside you.” That suggests someone else is sitting beside you.
Let’s restructure:
✘ Confusing: “After you look at the golden retriever, go to the park. He can see it from his seat beside you.”
➡️ Likely intended meaning: There’s a person (male) sitting beside you who can see the dog.
✔ Rewritten: After you look at the golden retriever, go to the park. The man sitting beside you can see it from his seat.
> Or better: Your friend, who is sitting beside you, can see the dog from his seat.
> ✔️ Clarify who “he” is.
---
- Pronouns: *his*, *it*, *him*
- Antecedents:
- *his* → colonel
- *it* → hat
- *him* → colonel
✔ All pronouns are clear. No vagueness here.
> ✔ No change needed.
---
- Vague pronoun: *them*
- Possible antecedents: “donations”
- Is it clear? Yes — “them” refers to “donations,” which were given to you.
✔ Not vague. Clear antecedent.
> ✔ No change needed.
---
- Vague pronoun: *they*
- Possible antecedents: “painting”, “satin fabric”, or “vegetable oil” — none of which can “need” coats of paint.
- Problem: “They” has no logical antecedent. What needs multiple coats?
➡️ Likely meant: You (the painter) might need several coats.
✔ Rewritten: Painting a satin fabric with vegetable oil means that you may need several coats of paint.
> Or: The process may require several coats.
But best: You may need several coats of paint.
---
- Vague pronoun: *which*
- Antecedents: Could be “first edition” or “The Scarlet Letter” — both are the same thing.
- But “which” refers to the book — the gift.
Is it clear? Yes — the book being a moving present makes sense.
✔ Not vague. “Which” refers to the book.
> ✔ No change needed.
---
- Vague pronoun: *them*
- Possible antecedents: “yolk” and “egg white”
- But “them” refers to both — the yolk and the white.
Wait — this sentence is awkwardly constructed. It starts with a participial phrase, then gives a command.
Let’s fix the structure.
✘ Original: *Separating the yolk from the egg white, and then place them in the mixing bowl.*
➡️ Missing subject. Should be:
✔ Rewritten: Separate the yolk from the egg white, and then place them in the mixing bowl.
Now, “them” clearly refers to “the yolk and the egg white.”
✔️ Fixed grammar and clarity.
---
## ✔ Final Answers (Corrected Sentences):
1. No change needed.
→ When you are done using the weight equipment in the gym, could you lock it up?
2. Olivia and her cousin Leah go to the same university, but Olivia is graduating in May.
*(or Leah – specify)*
3. After you look at the golden retriever, go to the park. The man sitting beside you can see it from his seat.
4. No change needed.
→ The colonel removed his hat and placed it on the seat beside him.
5. No change needed.
→ After the neighbors gave you their donations, you placed them in the thrift store.
6. Painting a satin fabric with vegetable oil means that you may need several coats of paint.
7. No change needed.
→ James gave Jackson a signed first edition of *The Scarlet Letter*, which was a moving present.
8. Separate the yolk from the egg white, and then place them in the mixing bowl.
---
## Summary of Key Tips:
- Always ask: Who or what does the pronoun refer to?
- If there’s more than one possibility, the pronoun is vague.
- Use repetition or clearer phrasing to fix ambiguity.
- Watch out for incomplete sentences (like #8), which can also cause confusion.
Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable answer key!
Here is the worksheet content you shared:
---
Identifying Vague Pronouns
A *pronoun* refers to a noun or noun phrase. A pronoun is *vague* if it's unclear what the antecedent should be. For example, the pronoun could refer to more than one possible noun in the sentence. To keep your writing clear, always use specific language when possible.
Example:
- The principal brought a new computer to the school. He was very happy.
- This is confusing because we don’t know whether “he” refers to the principal or someone else.
OR
- The principal brought a new computer to the school. The principal was very happy.
- This is clearer because the antecedent is repeated.
---
Directions:
The following sentences each have a vague pronoun in bold. Circle the possible antecedents for each. Then, rewrite the sentence so that the pronoun clearly refers to its intended antecedent.
1. When you are done using the weight equipment in the gym, could you lock it up?
2. Olivia and her cousin Leah go to the same university, but she is graduating in May.
3. After you look at the golden retriever, go to the park. He can see it from his seat beside you.
4. The colonel removed his hat and placed it on the seat beside him.
5. After the neighbors gave you their donations, you placed them in the thrift store.
6. Painting a satin fabric with vegetable oil means that they may need several coats of paint.
7. James gave Jackson a signed first edition of *The Scarlet Letter*, which was a moving present.
8. Separating the yolk from the egg white, and then place them in the mixing bowl.
---
Now, let’s solve each sentence step by step.
---
1. When you are done using the weight equipment in the gym, could you lock it up?
- Vague pronoun: *it*
- Possible antecedents: "weight equipment"
- Is it vague? No — “it” clearly refers to the “weight equipment.”
- ✔ This sentence is actually not vague. It's clear that “it” refers to the equipment.
- Rewritten (if needed): When you are done using the weight equipment in the gym, could you lock the equipment up?
> ✔ No correction needed.
---
2. Olivia and her cousin Leah go to the same university, but she is graduating in May.
- Vague pronoun: *she*
- Possible antecedents: Olivia or Leah
- Problem: We don’t know who is graduating in May.
- Solution: Specify who.
✔ Rewritten: Olivia and her cousin Leah go to the same university, but Olivia is graduating in May.
(Or: "...but Leah is graduating in May.")
---
3. After you look at the golden retriever, go to the park. He can see it from his seat beside you.
- Vague pronoun: *He* and *his*
- Possible antecedents: “you” or “the golden retriever”
- But “the golden retriever” can’t see from a seat — animals don’t typically sit in seats like humans.
- So likely, “he” refers to a person — probably you or someone else.
But the sentence says “he can see it from his seat beside you.” That suggests someone else is sitting beside you.
Let’s restructure:
✘ Confusing: “After you look at the golden retriever, go to the park. He can see it from his seat beside you.”
➡️ Likely intended meaning: There’s a person (male) sitting beside you who can see the dog.
✔ Rewritten: After you look at the golden retriever, go to the park. The man sitting beside you can see it from his seat.
> Or better: Your friend, who is sitting beside you, can see the dog from his seat.
> ✔️ Clarify who “he” is.
---
4. The colonel removed his hat and placed it on the seat beside him.
- Pronouns: *his*, *it*, *him*
- Antecedents:
- *his* → colonel
- *it* → hat
- *him* → colonel
✔ All pronouns are clear. No vagueness here.
> ✔ No change needed.
---
5. After the neighbors gave you their donations, you placed them in the thrift store.
- Vague pronoun: *them*
- Possible antecedents: “donations”
- Is it clear? Yes — “them” refers to “donations,” which were given to you.
✔ Not vague. Clear antecedent.
> ✔ No change needed.
---
6. Painting a satin fabric with vegetable oil means that they may need several coats of paint.
- Vague pronoun: *they*
- Possible antecedents: “painting”, “satin fabric”, or “vegetable oil” — none of which can “need” coats of paint.
- Problem: “They” has no logical antecedent. What needs multiple coats?
➡️ Likely meant: You (the painter) might need several coats.
✔ Rewritten: Painting a satin fabric with vegetable oil means that you may need several coats of paint.
> Or: The process may require several coats.
But best: You may need several coats of paint.
---
7. James gave Jackson a signed first edition of *The Scarlet Letter*, which was a moving present.
- Vague pronoun: *which*
- Antecedents: Could be “first edition” or “The Scarlet Letter” — both are the same thing.
- But “which” refers to the book — the gift.
Is it clear? Yes — the book being a moving present makes sense.
✔ Not vague. “Which” refers to the book.
> ✔ No change needed.
---
8. Separating the yolk from the egg white, and then place them in the mixing bowl.
- Vague pronoun: *them*
- Possible antecedents: “yolk” and “egg white”
- But “them” refers to both — the yolk and the white.
Wait — this sentence is awkwardly constructed. It starts with a participial phrase, then gives a command.
Let’s fix the structure.
✘ Original: *Separating the yolk from the egg white, and then place them in the mixing bowl.*
➡️ Missing subject. Should be:
✔ Rewritten: Separate the yolk from the egg white, and then place them in the mixing bowl.
Now, “them” clearly refers to “the yolk and the egg white.”
✔️ Fixed grammar and clarity.
---
## ✔ Final Answers (Corrected Sentences):
1. No change needed.
→ When you are done using the weight equipment in the gym, could you lock it up?
2. Olivia and her cousin Leah go to the same university, but Olivia is graduating in May.
*(or Leah – specify)*
3. After you look at the golden retriever, go to the park. The man sitting beside you can see it from his seat.
4. No change needed.
→ The colonel removed his hat and placed it on the seat beside him.
5. No change needed.
→ After the neighbors gave you their donations, you placed them in the thrift store.
6. Painting a satin fabric with vegetable oil means that you may need several coats of paint.
7. No change needed.
→ James gave Jackson a signed first edition of *The Scarlet Letter*, which was a moving present.
8. Separate the yolk from the egg white, and then place them in the mixing bowl.
---
## Summary of Key Tips:
- Always ask: Who or what does the pronoun refer to?
- If there’s more than one possibility, the pronoun is vague.
- Use repetition or clearer phrasing to fix ambiguity.
- Watch out for incomplete sentences (like #8), which can also cause confusion.
Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable answer key!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of pronoun worksheet 6th grade.
