Unclear pronoun reference
Principal causes of unclear pronoun reference:
More than one possible antecedent
*To keep birds from eating seeds, soak them in blue food coloring.
To keep birds from eating seeds, soak the seeds in blue food coloring.
When either of two nouns can be a pronoun's antecedent, the reference will not be clear. Revise such sentences in two ways:
- Replace the pronoun with the appropriate noun
*Emily Dickinson is sometimes compared with Jane Austen, but she was quite different.
Emily Dickinson is sometimes compared with Jane Austen, but Dickinson was quite different.
- Avoid repetition by rewriting the sentence
*Despite occasional comparison, Emily Dickinson and Jane Austen were quite different.
Though sometimes compared with her, Emily Dickinson was quite different from Jane Austen.
Antecedent too far away
*Employees should consult with their supervisor who require personal time.
Employees who require personal time should consult with their supervisor.
A clause beginning who, which, or that generally should fall immediately after the word to which it refers.
Antecedent only implied
*Many children begin reading on their own by watching television, but this should probably be discounted in government policy.
Many children begin reading on their own by watching television, but such self-instruction should probably be discounted in government policy.
A pronoun should refer to a specific noun or other pronoun. When that reference is implied, not stated outright, the reader can only guess at the meaning of a pronoun. Therefore, it is generally advised to use this, that, which, and it, cautiously. These pronouns are often used to refer to a whole idea or situation described in the preceding clause, sentence, or even paragraph. Consider:
*The British knew little of the American countryside, and they had no experience with the colonists' guerilla tactics. This gave the colonists an advantage.
The British knew little of the American countryside, and they had no experience with the colonists' guerilla tactics. This ignorance and inexperience gave the colonists an advantage.