The Fuzzy Pronoun He may be cute but

The Fuzzy Pronoun He may be cute, but he is your enemy.

Pronouns: What They Are A pronoun is a general word that stands in for a specific noun (an antecedent) that has been previously mentioned: John won’t do his math homework because John doesn’t know how. John won’t do his math homework because he doesn’t know how.

Pronouns: What They Are (contd. ) I’m taking back the vacuum cleaner because the vacuum cleaner won’t clean up what the vacuum cleaner’s supposed to. I’m taking back the vacuum cleaner because it won’t clean up what it’s supposed to.

How Pronouns Become “Fuzzy” Pronouns become fuzzy when they have no clear antecedent. It, this, that, which and they are pronouns that are often, but NOT ALWAYS used incorrectly as “fuzzy” pronouns.

How Pronouns Become “Fuzzy” (contd. ) Harry drives like a maniac; it unnerves me. What does it refer to in this sentence? The fact that Harry drives like a maniac? The fictional maniac that Harry drives like? The reader can take guess as to what it refers to, but the reader should never be put through the work of guessing such things. Fuzzy pronouns are confusing. They’re also lazy, sloppy, and grammatically incorrect.

How Pronouns Become “Fuzzy” (contd. ) EVERY PRONOUN MUST REFER TO A SPECIFIC NOUN (ALSO CALLED “ANTECEDENT”). IF A PRONOUN DOES NOT REFER TO A SPECIFIC NOUN (ANTECEDENT), THAT PROUNOUN IS GRAMMATICALLY INCORRECT AND CONFUSING.

How to Exterminate Fuzzy Pronouns The only way to fix a fuzzy pronoun is to specify what the fuzzy pronoun was intended to mean. The possible solutions for each fuzzy pronoun are infinite, depending on how creative you want to get. Solution: Harry drives like a maniac; his tendency to speed unnerves me.

How to Exterminate Fuzzy Pronouns Harry drives like a maniac; his lack of navigational discretion unnerves me. Harry drives like a maniac; his lack of respect for human life unnerves me. Harry drives like a maniac; his disregard for traffic laws unnerves me.

How to Exterminate Fuzzy Pronouns (contd. ) Another example: In his new film, Nolan utilizes sweeping camera angles, shadowy landscapes, and brooding colors. This gives the film a puzzling, introspective atmosphere. What does this refer to? Your guess is as good as mine. Let’s fix this fuzzy bastard: In his new film, Nolan utilizes sweeping camera angles, shadowy landscapes, and brooding colors. These spooky elements give the film a puzzling, introspective atmosphere.

How to Exterminate Fuzzy Pronouns (contd. ) Tobacco companies target their advertising at young people in order to hook them on their deadly product. That is wrong! Tobacco companies target their advertising at young people in order to hook them on their deadly product. Such selfish, dishonest business tactics are wrong.

How to Exterminate Fuzzy Pronouns (contd. ) The Roman Emperor Nero persecuted Christians by burning them alive, dismembering them, or throwing them to lions, which only caused the church to grow. The Roman Emperor Nero persecuted Christians by burning them alive, dismembering them, or throwing them to lions. This persecution only caused the church to grow.

How to Exterminate Fuzzy Pronouns (contd. ) Mendez often combines deep reds with ocean blues in his paintings to provide an airy, dreamy viewing experience. They work beautifully together here. Mendez often combines deep reds with ocean blues in his paintings to provide an airy, dreamy viewing experience. The two colors work beautifully together here.