Broad reference of #em#this, that, which#/em#, and #em#it#/em#

For clarity, the pronouns this, that, which, and it should usually refer to specific antecedents rather than to whole ideas or sentences. When a pronoun’s reference is needlessly broad, you have two options for revision:

1. Replace the pronoun with a noun.

For clarity, the writer substituted a noun (chemotherapy) for the pronoun this, which referred broadly to the idea expressed in the preceding sentence.

2. Supply an antecedent to which the pronoun clearly refers.

Exercise: Pronoun reference 1

Exercise: Pronoun reference 2

Exercise: Pronoun reference 3

Exercise: Pronoun reference 4

antecedent The noun or pronoun to which a pronoun refers.