Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Anaphoric reference uses pronouns to point back to previously mentioned ideas, ensuring your writing flows smoothly without repetitive nouns.
- Match the pronoun to the specific noun's number and gender: 'The CEO resigned; she left today.'
- Use 'this' or 'that' to refer to entire previous clauses or complex ideas.
- Avoid 'pronoun ambiguity' where it is unclear which of two previous nouns you are referencing.
Overview
에서새 제안서를 봤는데, (그것은) 아주 인상적이더라."처럼 '그것'을 생략하는 경우가 많았을 것입니다. 하지만 영어에서는It은new proposal을 가리킵니다. 만약 한국어였다면
It을 생략하면 비문이 됩니다.- 인칭 대명사 (Personal Pronouns):
he,she,it,they등 가장 일반적인 형태입니다. 명사구를 직접 대체합니다. - 소유 대명사/형용사 (Possessive Forms):
his,her,its,their등 앞서 언급된 대상과의 소유 관계를 나타냅니다. - 지시 대명사 (Demonstrative Pronouns):
this,that,these,those. 단어 하나뿐만 아니라 구(phrase), 절(clause), 혹은 앞 문장 전체의 내용을 가리킬 때 유용합니다. - 재귀 대명사 (Reflexive Pronouns):
himself,themselves등 동일 절 내에서 주어를 다시 가리킬 때 사용됩니다. - 대동사/대형태 (Pro-forms):
do so,do it,the same등 동사구나 문장 전체의 동작을 대신합니다.
the manager) | he | him | his | his |the consultant) | she | her | her | hers |the contract) | it | it | its | - |the stakeholders) | they | them | their | theirs |everyone) | they (현대 영어) | them | their | theirs |The CEO가 여성이라면 반드시she로 받아야 합니다. 한국어에서는 '그분'이나 '그'로 통칭하는 경우가 많아 한국인 학습자들이he와she를 혼용하는 실수를 자주 합니다.- 집합 명사(Collective Nouns)의 경우, 미국 영어에서는 단수(
The team has its own rules)를 선호하고, 영국 영어에서는 구성원 개개인에 초점을 맞추어 복수(The team have their own rules)를 사용하기도 합니다.
this와that은 앞서 언급된 '아이디어'나 '상황'을 가리킵니다.The company decided to cut costs. This led to a strike.여기서This는 '회사가 비용을 절감하기로 결정한 사실 전체'를 가리킵니다.
do so의 활용She asked me to submit the report, and I did so immediately.
여기서did so는submitted the report를 대신합니다. 이는 글의 격조를 높여주는 고급 표현입니다.
The marketing strategy was flawed. They realized it too late.
They는 앞 문장에 명시되지 않았더라도 문맥상 '마케팅 팀'이나 '회사 사람들'을 지칭하며 문장을 연결합니다.- (Bad)
The client called the office because the client wanted to talk about the client's account. - (Good)
The client called the office because she wanted to talk about her account.
We are implementing a new security protocol. It will enhance data protection.
a new security protocol이 신정보로 등장 -> It으로 받아 구정보가 됨)This means...나 That is why...를 사용하여 앞서 말한 내용을 요약하거나 결론을 도출할 때 사용합니다. 학술적 에세이나 비즈니스 프레젠테이션에서 매우 중요합니다.- 오류:
The manager told the assistant that he was being promoted. - 분석: 여기서
he는 매니저일까요, 비서일까요? 한국어로는 문맥이나 존댓말 유무로 파악될 수 있지만, 영어에서는 매우 모호합니다. - 해결:
The manager told the assistant,또는You are being promoted.
The manager informed the assistant of the assistant's promotion.처럼 명확히 해야 합니다.
he라고 부르는 실수가 잦습니다.- 주의: 머릿속에서 한국어로 생각하고 번역하는 과정을 거치면 성별 실수가 나옵니다. 대상의 이미지를 직접 영어 대명사와 연결하는 연습이 필요합니다.
this의 남용this만 쓰는 경향이 있습니다. 하지만 문맥에 따라 that이나 it, 혹은 this issue, this decision처럼 구체적인 명사를 덧붙이는 것이 훨씬 전문적으로 보입니다.- 개선:
The stock price plummeted. This caused panic.->The stock price plummeted. This sudden drop caused panic.
John came in. He looked tired. |he arrived, John realized he was late. |one? |one을 사용하는 Substitution과 대명사 참조를 헷갈려 하는 경우가 많습니다. 대명사(it, they)는 '특정한 바로 그 대상'을 가리키고, one은 '같은 종류의 불특정 대상'을 가리킵니다.I lost my umbrella. I need to find it.(잃어버린 바로 그 우산)I lost my umbrella. I need to buy a new one.(우산이라는 종류의 물건 중 하나)
he or she라고 써야 하나요?he or she가 표준이었지만, 최근 현대 영어(특히 C1 이상의 격식 있는 문서)에서는 Singular They를 사용하는 것이 대세입니다. If a student forgets their ID, they should report to the office.처럼 단수 선행어를 they로 받는 것이 성 중립적이고 자연스러운 표현으로 인정받습니다.this와 that 중 어떤 것을 써야 할지 헷갈려요.this는 지금 막 언급한 내용, 내가 강조하고 싶은 가까운 내용을 가리킬 때 씁니다. 반면 that은 이미 지나간 이야기나 나와는 조금 거리가 있는 타인의 의견 등을 가리킬 때 주로 쓰입니다. 비즈니스 미팅에서 상대방의 의견을 받을 때는 That is a good point.라고 하는 것이 일반적입니다.it이나 they가 너무 많으면 독자는 길을 잃습니다. 2~3번 정도 대명사를 사용했다면, 다시 한번 원래의 명사나 그 명사의 유의어(Synonym)를 사용하여 지칭 대상을 명확히 해주는 것이 고급 글쓰기의 기술입니다. 이를 'Lexical Cohesion'이라고 합니다.Common Anaphoric Referents
| Type | Singular | Plural | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Personal (Subject)
|
he, she, it
|
they
|
Replaces the subject noun
|
|
Personal (Object)
|
him, her, it
|
them
|
Replaces the object noun
|
|
Demonstrative
|
this, that
|
these, those
|
Points to specific items or ideas
|
|
Relative
|
who, which, that
|
who, which, that
|
Connects clauses
|
|
Pro-forms
|
do so, one
|
do so, some
|
Replaces verb phrases or nouns
|
Meanings
The use of a word (typically a pronoun) to refer back to a word or phrase mentioned earlier in a text to avoid repetition and create cohesion.
Personal Anaphora
Using personal pronouns (he, she, it, they) to replace specific people or objects.
“Dr. Aris is a pioneer in her field.”
“The students finished the exam; they looked exhausted.”
Demonstrative Anaphora
Using 'this', 'that', 'these', or 'those' to refer to objects or entire preceding statements.
“The company lost 40% of its value. This led to immediate layoffs.”
“He claimed he was innocent, but no one believed that.”
Relative Anaphora
Using relative pronouns (who, which, that) to link back to a noun in a complex sentence.
“The report, which I sent yesterday, contains the data.”
“The man who called you is my lawyer.”
Pro-form Anaphora
Using words like 'so', 'do', or 'did' to refer back to an entire verb phrase or action.
“If you want to leave, please do so quietly.”
“She thinks we will win, and I hope so too.”
Reference Table
| 대명사 종류 | 대명사 | 선행사 예시 | 기능 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
인칭 대명사 (주격)
|
he, she, it, they
|
Dr. Anya Sharma -> She
|
주어 역할을 하는 명사 대체
|
|
인칭 대명사 (목적격)
|
him, her, it, them
|
My new laptop -> it
|
목적어 역할을 하는 명사 대체
|
|
소유 대명사 (형용사)
|
his, her, its, their
|
The team -> their
|
소유를 나타내며 명사 수식
|
|
지시 대명사 (단수)
|
this, that
|
The complex theory -> That
|
특정 이전 아이디어/사물 지칭
|
|
지시 대명사 (복수)
|
these, those
|
All the exam questions -> These
|
특정 이전 아이디어/사물 지칭
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
The error was significant; this necessitated a full review. (Workplace error)
There was a big mistake, so we had to check everything. (Workplace error)
We messed up. That meant we had to start over. (Workplace error)
Total fail. This meant we were back to square one. (Workplace error)
지시어 (Anaphoric Reference): 아이디어 연결하기
주요 요소
- Antecedent The noun/phrase referred to
- Anaphor The word referring back (usually pronoun)
흔한 지시어
- Personal Pronouns he, she, it, they, him, her, them
- Possessive Pronouns his, hers, its, theirs
- Demonstrative Pronouns this, that, these, those
목적
- Cohesion Links sentences/ideas smoothly
- Avoid Repetition Makes language natural
- Information Flow Keeps audience on track
잠재적 문제
- Ambiguity Unclear antecedent
- Agreement Errors Mismatch in number/gender
지시어 (Anaphora) vs. 선행 지시어 (Cataphora)
올바른 지시 대명사 선택하기
가리킬 명사/개념이 있나요?
선행사가 단수인가요 복수인가요?
선행사가 남성, 여성, 또는 무생물/공통인가요?
지시가 명확하고 모호하지 않나요?
지시 대명사의 종류
인칭 대명사
- • he
- • she
- • it
- • they
- • him
- • her
- • them
소유격 형태
- • his
- • hers
- • its
- • theirs
- • my
- • your
- • our
지시 대명사
- • this
- • that
- • these
- • those
반복 피하기
- • The students are ready. They...
- • The project is complex. It...
수준별 예문
I have a brother. He is ten.
I have a brother. He is ten.
Where is my bag? I can't find it.
Where is my bag? I can't find it.
Sarah is here. She is my friend.
Sarah is here. She is my friend.
The apples are red. They are sweet.
The apples are red. They are sweet.
I bought a new phone and I love it.
I bought a new phone and I love it.
John and Mary are late. Tell them to hurry.
John and Mary are late. Tell them to hurry.
This is my house. That is my car over there.
This is my house. That is my car over there.
He lost his wallet. He found it under the sofa.
He lost his wallet. He found it under the sofa.
The movie, which we saw last night, was boring.
The movie, which we saw last night, was boring.
If you need a pen, I have one you can borrow.
If you need a pen, I have one you can borrow.
She failed the test. This surprised everyone.
She failed the test. This surprised everyone.
I've never been to Paris, but I'd like to go there.
I've never been to Paris, but I'd like to go there.
The committee reached a decision, but it wasn't easy.
The committee reached a decision, but it wasn't easy.
He asked me to sign the contract, and I did so immediately.
He asked me to sign the contract, and I did so immediately.
Many people believe the economy is improving; however, others dispute this.
Many people believe the economy is improving; however, others dispute this.
The employees were unhappy with the new policy, so they protested.
The employees were unhappy with the new policy, so they protested.
The government's refusal to negotiate was unexpected. This stance alienated many voters.
The government's refusal to negotiate was unexpected. This stance alienated many voters.
The former theory suggests a biological cause, while the latter posits a social one.
The former theory suggests a biological cause, while the latter posits a social one.
The software crashed during the update, which led to a total loss of data.
The software crashed during the update, which led to a total loss of data.
Should the inflation rate rise further, and it is widely expected to do so, the bank will act.
Should the inflation rate rise further, and it is widely expected to do so, the bank will act.
The sheer audacity of the proposal was what struck me most; it was, in a word, breathtaking.
The sheer audacity of the proposal was what struck me most; it was, in a word, breathtaking.
The architect designed the building to be sustainable, an objective she achieved through solar glass.
The architect designed the building to be sustainable, an objective she achieved through solar glass.
To understand the poem, one must look at its historical context; doing this reveals hidden meanings.
To understand the poem, one must look at its historical context; doing this reveals hidden meanings.
The CEO's resignation, though sudden, was not entirely unforeseen; that it happened now is the only surprise.
The CEO's resignation, though sudden, was not entirely unforeseen; that it happened now is the only surprise.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners often use them interchangeably when referring to ideas.
Using 'it' to refer to a whole sentence.
자주 하는 실수
My mother is tall. He is nice.
My mother is tall. She is nice.
I have two dogs. I love it.
I have two dogs. I love them.
He was late. That was a problem.
He was late. This was a problem.
The manager told the clerk he was wrong.
The manager told the clerk, 'You are wrong,' or 'The manager admitted he was wrong.'
문장 패턴
[Noun Phrase] is [Adjective]; [Pronoun] is also [Adjective].
[Clause], which [Verb Phrase].
Real World Usage
This phenomenon suggests a deeper underlying cause.
Saw the news. That's crazy!
I managed the marketing team and helped them reach their goals.
The suspect fled the scene; he is still at large.
The Party of the First Part shall fulfill its obligations.
Once there was a king. He was very old.
명확성이 가장 중요해요
모호함의 함정을 조심하세요
일치 여부를 확인하세요
비격식 대화에서는 맥락이 중요해요
소리 내어 읽어보면 실수를 찾을 수 있어요
Smart Tips
Always add a noun after 'This' to clarify your point.
Avoid using 'he' or 'she' repeatedly; use their names or titles to distinguish them.
Use 'do so' or 'did so' to avoid repeating long verb phrases.
Be consistent: if you start with 'it', don't switch to 'they' in the same paragraph.
발음
Weak forms of pronouns
In natural speech, anaphoric pronouns like 'him', 'her', and 'them' are often unstressed and reduced.
Stress for Contrast
I didn't see HIM, I saw HER.
Stress is used when the pronoun is being contrasted with another potential referent.
암기하기
기억법
ANA points BACK (Anaphora), CATA points AHEAD (Cataphora).
시각적 연상
Imagine a text as a chain. Each pronoun is a hook that reaches back to grab the previous link (the noun) to keep the chain from breaking.
Rhyme
If you've said the noun before, use a pronoun to say more.
Story
John walked into a room. He (John) saw a cake. It (the cake) looked delicious. This (the whole situation) made him happy.
Word Web
챌린지
Write a 5-sentence paragraph about your favorite book without using the book's title more than once.
문화 노트
In academic writing, 'this' is preferred over 'it' when referring to complex ideas to provide more 'weight' to the reference.
The use of 'they' as a singular anaphoric referent for a person of unknown or non-binary gender is now standard.
Legal documents often avoid anaphora entirely to prevent any possible ambiguity, repeating full names or titles instead.
From Ancient Greek 'anaphora' (ἀναφορά), meaning 'a carrying back'.
대화 시작하기
Have you seen any good movies lately? What did you like about them?
If a colleague makes a mistake, how do you tell them?
The economy is changing rapidly. How is this affecting your industry?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
The new software is complex, but _____ makes our work much faster.
Choose the correct sentence:
Find and fix the mistake:
My sister told her friend that she was busy.
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesThe company released its annual report today. ___ shows a 10% increase in profits.
Find and fix the mistake:
When the car hit the wall, it was damaged.
If you need to cancel your subscription, please ___ before the 1st of the month.
I have a friend. She lives in Tokyo.
Identify the demonstrative anaphora: 'He failed. This was sad.'
A: Did you see the memo? B: Yes, I read ___ this morning.
'Because he was hungry, John ate an apple.'
1. The girls, 2. The book, 3. The man
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe coffee machine broke down, so _____ had to brew tea instead.
The manager and the assistant discussed the report, and he decided to postpone the meeting.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'El libro es muy interesante; lo leí en un día.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the antecedents with the correct pronouns:
My phone battery is low; I need to charge _____
Each team member presented their ideas.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Mis colegas trabajan mucho; ellos merecen un ascenso.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the nouns with their possessive forms:
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Anaphora points back to a noun already mentioned (`John left. He was tired.`), while cataphora points forward to a noun mentioned later (`Because he was tired, John left.`).
Yes, 'singular they' is used when the gender is unknown or irrelevant (`Someone left their phone.`).
Use `this` when referring to a whole sentence or a complex idea. Use `it` when referring to a specific noun.
A vague pronoun is one where the reader can't tell what it refers to. For example, `They say it will rain.` Who is 'they'?
Yes, `the former` and `the latter` are mostly used in formal writing and academic contexts.
If there are two nouns, repeat the specific noun instead of using a pronoun, or restructure the sentence.
Yes, in relative clauses like `He arrived late, which annoyed me,` the word `which` refers to the entire fact that he arrived late.
Most do, but some (like Japanese) prefer to omit the pronoun entirely if the context is clear.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Pronombres de objeto y sujeto
English must say 'It is...', Spanish can just say 'Es...'
Zero Anaphora
English pronouns are mandatory; Japanese ones are often avoided.
Pronomen mit Kasus
German pronouns carry more grammatical information (case).
Pronoms compléments
Word order of the pronoun referent.
Damir (Pronouns)
Anaphoric referents are often suffixes in Arabic.
代词 (Dàicí)
Lack of gender distinction in spoken anaphora.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
05:44 Billie Eilish - BLUE (Isolated Vocals)
13:23 What’s really happening in Iran right now
14:25 Ep 1 | Learn Spoken English Through English Movies
영어 대명사 it, that, this, these, those, one, ones 차이점 완벽 정리! (영어문법)
라이브 아카데미
영어대명사 총정리 | 인칭대명사, 지시대명사, 재귀대명사, 부정대명사, 관계대명사, 소유대명사
영어회화 10분 기적
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