Writing Analytically, 6th Edition - Rosenwasser, David & Stephen, Jill [287]
Original example: The subject of learning disabilities is difficult to identify accurately.
Problem: The predicate matches the object of the preposition (learning disabilities) rather than the subject of the main clause (subject).
Possible corrections: Learning disabilities are difficult to identify accurately.
Comment: Omitting the abstract opening (The subject of) enables the predicate (are) to fit the new grammatical subject (disabilities).
Test Yourself 19.5: Pronoun–Antecedent Agreement
Original example: Every dog has its day, but all too often when that day happens, they can be found barking up the wrong tree.
Problem: The plural pronoun they that is the grammatical subject of the second clause does not have a plural antecedent in the sentence.
Possible correction: Every dog has its day, but all too often when that day happens, the dog can be found barking up the wrong tree.
Comment: If a writer vigilantly checks all pronouns, he or she will identify the intended antecedent of the pronoun they to be the singular dog, and revise accordingly. The sentence would still be incorrect if the pronoun it were used instead of the repeated dog because it could refer to the nearest preceding noun, day.
Test Yourself 19.6: Ambiguous Reference
1. Original example: Alexander the Great’s father, Philip of Macedon, died when he was twenty-six.
Problem: A reader can’t be sure whether he refers to Alexander or to Philip.
Possible correction: Alexander the Great’s father, Philip of Macedon, died at the age of twenty-six.
Comment: The correction rewords to remove the ambiguous pronoun. This solution is less awkward than repeating Philip in place of he, though that would also be correct.
2. Original example: The committee could not look into the problem because it was too involved.
Problem: A reader can’t be sure whether it refers to the committee or to the problem.
Possible correction: The committee was too involved with other matters to look into the problem.
Comment: As with the previous example, rewording to eliminate the ambiguous pronoun is usually the best solution.
Test Yourself 19.7: Broad Reference
1. Original example: Regardless of whether the film is foreign or domestic, they can be found in your neighborhood video store.
Problem: The plural pronoun they does not have a plural antecedent in the sentence.
Possible correction: Regardless of whether the film is foreign or domestic, it can be found in your neighborhood video store.
Comment: Although the sentence offers two options for films, the word film is singular and so, as antecedent, requires a singular pronoun (it). It is probably worth noting here that it would still be correct even if the original sentence began, “Regardless of whether the film is a foreign film or a domestic film.” The rule for compound subjects that use an either/or construction is as follows: the number (singular or plural) of the noun or pronoun that follows or determines the number of the verb. Compare the following two examples: “Either several of his aides or the candidate is going to speak” and “Either the candidate or several of his aides are going to speak.”
2. Original example: Many experts now claim that dogs and other higher mammals dream; for those who don’t own such pets, this is often difficult to believe.
Problem: The referent of the pronoun this is unclear. Precisely what is difficult to believe—that mammals dream or that experts would make such a claim?
Possible correction: Many experts now claim that dogs and other higher mammals dream; for those who don’t own such pets, this claim is often difficult to believe.
Comment: Often the best way to fix a problem with broad reference produced by use of this as a pronoun is to attach this to the noun to which it refers, as in “this book. As a rule, when you find an isolated this in your draft, ask and answer the question “This what?”
Test Yourself 19.8: Modification Errors
1. Original example: After eating their sandwiches, the steamboat left the dock.
Problem: This