Conventions of Composition Rule 169

Rules: The word any pronoun takes the place of must be totally clear and specific. Avoid vague and obscure references. Check very carefully whenever you use it or this, as both words often create reference errors.

Note: The pronoun he must take the place of a noun. In fact, he or she can never replace the possessive form of a name.

Note: While using this or that as pronouns usually creates problems, using them as demonstrative adjectives generally does not. For example, "This shows Huck's naive nature," remains unclear, but "This use of the word 'reckon' shows Huck's naive nature," makes sense. Even better, however, would be "Huck's use of the word 'reckon' shows his naive nature."

Examples:

Wrong: In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, he portrays characters from many social classes.

Better: F. Scott Fitzgerald portrays characters from many social classes in The Great Gatsby.

Wrong: It is apparent that O'Brien's title character feels ambivalent about things.

Better: O'Brien's title character feels ambivalent about his involvement in the war.

Wrong: It is my opinion that Annie Wilks represents writer's block.

Better: Annie Wilks represents writer's block.

Wrong I never dreamed that Trudy wanted to be a translator, but they do intrigue her.

Better: I never dreamed that Trudy wanted to be a translator, but languages do intrigue her.

Wrong: My neighbor, a well-known surgeon, frequently enjoyed discussing it with me.

Better: My neighbor, a well-known surgeon, frequently enjoyed discussing surgery with me.

Practice revising these sentences to create clearer pronoun reference:

1. It was clear that Elias loved games and books.

2. In Zadie Smith's book, she creates complex characters.

3. This demonstrates everything Enzo's been teaching about music.

4. Josefina could do anything related to art and science and math, and it shows in her great attitude in those classes.

5. Maja wanted to ride with Camille, which created an awkward moment for everyone in the car.

Resources for further explanation of clear pronoun reference:

Web App's Usage -- Pronoun Reference

Butte College's Tip Sheet Pronoun Reference