Make Pronoun Reference Clear
If the reader isn’t sure what a pronoun refers to, the sentence may be confusing.
AVOID AMBIGUOUS OR VAGUE PRONOUN REFERENCES
In an ambiguous pronoun reference, the pronoun could refer to more than one noun.
| AMBIGUOUS | Michelle told Carla that she needed new shoes. [Did Michelle tell Carla that Michelle herself needed new shoes? Or did Michelle tell Carla that Carla needed new shoes?] |
| EDITED | Michelle needed new shoes. She told her friend Carla. |
In a vague pronoun reference, the pronoun does not refer clearly to any particular person or thing. To correct a vague pronoun reference, substitute a more specific noun for the pronoun.
| VAGUE | After an accident at the intersection, they installed a traffic light. [Who installed the traffic light?] |
| EDITED | After an accident at the intersection, the highway department installed a traffic light. |
AVOID REPETITIOUS PRONOUN REFERENCES
In a repetitious pronoun reference, the pronoun repeats a reference to a noun rather than replacing the noun. Remove the repetitious pronoun.
