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Pronouns can cause ambiguity and confusion for readers if the antecedents are not clear.
| Most problems result from inappropriate use of these pronouns: | |||
| you | this | they | these |
| it | that | which | there |
Reserve you for situations in which you directly address the readers. Use it, this, that, which, or there only when you can identify a specific, concrete antecedent. These pronouns usually do not present a problem in speech, but they can make your writing unnecessarily wordy, vague, and sometimes confusing. You can easily rewrite common expressions that use pronouns ineffectively.
Clear writing requires that pronouns have stated rather than implied antecedents.
An air conditioner removes much of the humidity from the air. It either evaporates or runs off through a tube to the outside.
"It" has no stated antecedent; rather, the antecedent is implied.
An air conditioner removes much of the humidity from the air. As the humidity condenses, the resulting water either evaporates or runs off through a tube to the outside.
Sometimes the reference is so general that the pronoun has no antecedent. Often this, that, or these is used, referring broadly to several preceding ideas, thus confusing the readers.
Holding your work in your hand when using a screwdriver can be dangerous. Place your work on a flat surface or secure it in a vise or clamp. Do not put your body in front of a screwdriver blade tip. The blade can cause a bad cut if it slips. This is a good practice for any pointed tool.
Holding your work in your hand when using a screwdriver can be dangerous. Place your work on a flat surface or secure it in a vise or clamp. Do not put your body in front of a screwdriver blade tip. The blade can cause a bad cut if it slips. These safety rules apply to any pointed tool.
