Writing Boo-boo #102: Wrong Word

In the English language, there are words called homophones which sound alike but don't have the same meaning. Some examples are "to, two, and too", "your and you're", and our staff's example, "there, their, and they're". Be aware of the differences between these words when you use them in writing! 

- Miller Writing Center Staff

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Writing Boo-boo #2: Vague Pronoun References

In this writing boo-boo, Morgan learns that she may need to be clearer when referencing a specific person, place, or thing.

When a pronoun is used in a sentence, the noun that the pronoun is referencing must be clear.

For example, someone might say, 

"I painted some pictures last night and my hands got stained. They look awful."

The reader might not know what they is referring to. Do the pictures look awful or the hands? 

A clearer sentence might be,

"I painted some pictures last night. My hands look awful because they got stained."

Make sure you're being clear when you use pronouns! (Especially if you're gossiping.)

- Miller Writing Center Staff

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