ENGLISH PRONOUN REFERENCE EXERCISE 1
✓ Useful for TOEFL
✓ Useful for Cambridge B2/C1
DID YOU KNOW?
Unclear pronoun reference is one of the most penalised coherence errors in IELTS and TOEFL writing.
When a pronoun could refer to more than one noun, the reader loses track of the meaning — and the examiner notices. Tom told Mark that he had failed the exam: who failed? The pronoun he is ambiguous. In IELTS Task 2, ambiguous pronoun reference directly affects the Coherence & Cohesion score. In TOEFL integrated writing, it can signal that you haven’t fully understood the source material.
Cambridge C1/C2 writing tasks are assessed on communicative achievement — and unclear reference undermines communication. This exercise trains you to spot and fix ambiguous pronouns before the examiner does.
Unclear pronoun reference is one of the most penalised coherence errors in IELTS and TOEFL writing.
When a pronoun could refer to more than one noun, the reader loses track of the meaning — and the examiner notices. Tom told Mark that he had failed the exam: who failed? The pronoun he is ambiguous. In IELTS Task 2, ambiguous pronoun reference directly affects the Coherence & Cohesion score. In TOEFL integrated writing, it can signal that you haven’t fully understood the source material.
Cambridge C1/C2 writing tasks are assessed on communicative achievement — and unclear reference undermines communication. This exercise trains you to spot and fix ambiguous pronouns before the examiner does.
Choose whether the pronoun reference in each of the following sentences is CORRECT or INCORRECT/CONFUSING.
Example: Mr. Collins told Jim, his colleague, that he had to stop taking such long lunch breaks.
answer: INCORRECT (It is unclear whether the "he" refers to Mr. Collins or Jim.)
1. Sarah would have driven Patricia home if she hadn't been so tired.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
2. His voice was so loud that he made some of the audience members uncomfortable.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
3. If Jim hadn't spend all his money gambling, he could have used it to buy his wife a present.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
4. Mr. Jonasson decided to postpone the final exam until the following week. This made his students happy.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
5. It said on the news today that a storm was on its way.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
6. Diane's cat Mittens, who was adopted from an animal shelter, slept by her head every night.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
7. Frank wanted to give Tony his old camera, but he was away on vacation.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
8. I never drink alcohol because it makes you sick.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
9. Ingrid lost the race and then went out and had some wine with her friends. Her coach was not happy about this.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
10. He started eating more fruit and vegetables. This improved his health and gave him more energy.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
More advanced English exercises
Pronoun agreement 1
Pronoun case 1
Pronoun case 2
Pronoun reference 1
Pronoun reference 2
Pronouns with elliptical clauses 1
Pronoun case 1
Pronoun case 2
Pronoun reference 1
Pronoun reference 2
Pronouns with elliptical clauses 1
