Final answer:
Identifying pronouns and their antecedents is key to clear language usage. Common problems include unclear pronoun references and pronoun-antecedent agreement errors, which can be corrected by revising the sentence for clarity and accuracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Identifying pronouns and their antecedents is essential in ensuring clear and correct language usage. A pronoun is a word that substitutes for a noun or noun phrase, while an antecedent is the noun that the pronoun refers to. For example, in the sentence 'All nine members of the school board voted in favor of changing the district's mascot. They explained their reasoning during the meeting.', 'They' is a pronoun that refers to 'all nine members of the school board', which is its antecedent.
Common pronoun problems include unclear pronoun reference, which occurs when pronouns like 'this', 'that', 'which', or 'it' do not clearly refer to a specific noun. Another issue is pronoun-antecedent agreement; pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and gender. For instance, using a singular pronoun to refer to a generic noun or indefinite pronoun can result in an agreement error that needs to be revised.
To correct a sentence with an unclear pronoun reference, you may need to replace the vague pronoun with a clear noun. For an agreement error, ensure the pronoun matches the number and gender of the antecedent. When effectively resolved, these corrections lead to clearer and more professional writing.