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Writing Clear Sentences

The document provides strategies for avoiding ambiguous uses of the pronoun "this" in writing. It explains that "this" must refer clearly to a singular noun from the previous sentence. Four strategies are described: 1) inserting a summarizing word after "this"; 2) changing the first sentence to a gerund and combining the sentences; 3) changing the first sentence to an infinitive and combining; 4) changing the first sentence to a "that" clause and combining. Examples are given and an exercise asks the reader to apply the strategies.

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200 views

Writing Clear Sentences

The document provides strategies for avoiding ambiguous uses of the pronoun "this" in writing. It explains that "this" must refer clearly to a singular noun from the previous sentence. Four strategies are described: 1) inserting a summarizing word after "this"; 2) changing the first sentence to a gerund and combining the sentences; 3) changing the first sentence to an infinitive and combining; 4) changing the first sentence to a "that" clause and combining. Examples are given and an exercise asks the reader to apply the strategies.

Uploaded by

krajesh19907771
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Long Beach City College WRSC

Page 1 of 4

Writing Clear Sentences


Avoiding Ambiguous This
A pronoun (for example, he she, him, they) substitutes for its noun antecedent
noun (a noun is a word that identifies a person, place, object, or idea). The
antecedent comes before the pronoun in the same or a preceding sentence. Here is
an example:
Where is my book? It is on the chair.
In the sentence above, the pronoun it refers to the word book for its
meaningbook is the antecedent of it: In other words, it refers back to book so
we know what it means.
When a writer uses a singular pronoun to refer back to a whole clause or sentence
rather than to a singular noun antecedent in that clause or sentence, the
relationship is unclearthe meaning is ambiguous, so the sentence is not precise.
The problem occurs frequently in sentences with the pronoun this.
Greg often cannot remember the combination for his locker. When this
occurs, he has to call his brother for help.
In the sentence above, to what one word does this refer? The problem is that this
does not refer to a single word, a singular noun, but to the whole action in the
preceding sentence: often cannot remember the combination for his locker.
There are several ways to make this relationship between statements clear, or
unambiguous. Some of these strategies are described below.
Strategy 1
One way to clarify the meaning of the example sentence is to insert a word after
this, one that summarizes often cannot remember the combination for his locker.
Greg often cannot remember the combination for his locker. When this
problem occurs, he has to call his brother for help.
The word problem summarizes the action of the previous sentence, so the word
this no longer refers back to the action in the preceding sentence.
Strategy 2
When this does not have a singular noun antecedent in the previous sentence, you
can combine two sentences. In the following example, delete you could and
change the verb into its gerund form. (A gerund is the ing form of a verb used as a

Long Beach City College WRSC


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noun.) Then combine the sentences to eliminate the ambiguous this in the second
sentence.
Original: You could deposit nuclear waste in outer space. This would be one
way to solve a difficult dilemma.
Revision: Depositing nuclear waste in outer space would be one way to solve
a difficult dilemma.
Strategy 3
Here is another strategy for combining sentences to avoid an ambiguous connection
between this and a sentence without an antecedent. You can use an infinitive
phrase (an infinitive is the form to + verb). In the following example, combine the
sentences by deleting some people and this and then changing blame to its
infinitive form, to blame.
Original: Some people blame all social problems on moral decay. This is a
gross oversimplification.
Revision: To blame all social problems on moral decay is a gross
oversimplification.
The revision eliminates the vague relationship between this and the previous
sentence.
Strategy 4
One more way to combine sentences to avoid ambiguous this is to change one
sentence into a that clause. In the following example, insert that before Janette,
delete this, and combine the two sentences.
Original: Janette was late for her class. This disturbed her instructor.
Revision: That Janette was late for her class disturbed her instructor.
Exercise A
Revise the following sentences to avoid ambiguous this. For these sentences you
will either:
a.

Insert a word after this that summarizes the previous sentence,

Long Beach City College WRSC


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b. Change the verb in the first sentence to a gerund (ing form of the verb)
and combine the two sentences, deleting this,
c. Change the verb in the first sentence to an infinitive (to + the verb),
delete this and combine the two sentences, or
d. Change one sentence into a that clause and combine the two sentences.
A1. Use a Summarizing Word
1. The children screamed and shouted. This bothered the neighbors.

2. The climate is changing because of air pollution. This is recognized by


scientists.

A2. Use a Gerund (the ing form of the verb)


1. They replaced the Carib Indians with indentured servants. This was the
work of settlers.

2. She examines laboratory specimens. This will be part of Melissas major.

3. People should keep a computer free of dust. This will help prevent crashes.

4. They fixed the generator of the Honda. This enabled the car to start.

A3. Use an Infinitive


1. You plan a good time for New Years Eve. This is natural for young singles.

2. Julia watches soap operas. This is very entertaining to her.

Long Beach City College WRSC


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3. Rufino studies music. This is his ambition.

4. Vanessa wants to play professional basketball. This is her goal.

A4. Use a That Clause


1. Asteroids may collide with the Earth. This interests scientists.

2. Students responded positively to the charity drive. This pleased everyone.

3. Comets fly by the Earth at 100,000 mph. This impressed the students.

4. Rents are getting more expensive. This is hard to accept.

Exercise B
Revise one of your essays so that it does not have ambiguous this. Try to sue all of
the strategies described in this lesson.

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