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Difficulty: MediumPronoun Clarity and Reference

In the early years of the United States, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr frequently clashed over federal policy. While Hamilton worked to establish a national bank, Burr organized a powerful political machine in New York. The personal animosity between the two politicians escalated dramatically after he published a series of scathing essays that attacked the other's integrity.

Which choice best clarifies the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. HamiltonAnswer
  3. C
    they
  4. D
    it

Answer

Hamilton
Replacing the ambiguous pronoun with the specific noun 'Hamilton' clarifies exactly who published the essays. Since both Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr are mentioned, using a singular pronoun like 'he' makes it unclear which of the two men is being referred to.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlined pronoun and its potential antecedents in the preceding text.
The pronoun 'he' is singular and masculine, and the preceding sentences mention two singular masculine individuals: Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
To determine if the pronoun reference is clear or has multiple potential antecedents.
2
Evaluate the clarity of the pronoun reference in the context of the sentence.
Because either Hamilton or Burr could have published the essays attacking the other, the pronoun 'he' is ambiguous.
To identify the error in the original phrasing.
3
Choose the option that resolves the ambiguity by replacing the pronoun with a specific noun.
Replacing 'he' with 'Hamilton' makes the subject of the clause clear and grammatically precise.
To select the correct, unambiguous phrasing.

Key Concept

Pronoun Clarity and Reference
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Pronoun Clarity and Reference

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