Using Pronouns to Refer to Nouns

A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun in a sentence. Every time you write a pronoun—such as he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its, they, their, that, or which—it must refer unambiguously to a particular noun, called the pronoun’s antecedent. Pronouns that do not refer clearly to an antecedent can obscure your intended meaning. 

• UNCLEAR: An effective teacher tells a student she is talented. (Does she refer to teacher or student?)
• CLEAR: If students are talented, an effective teacher tells them so.

• UNCLEAR: Civil servants know more about how to run a government agency than do political appointees because they have learned from experience.
• (Does they refer to civil servants or political appointees?) 
• CLEAR: Because civil servants have learned from experience, they know more about how to run a government agency than do political appointees.

Don’t be afraid to repeat the antecedent if necessary to make your meaning clear.

• UNCLEAR: Many people would rather settle in Albuquerque than in Phoenix, although it has a higher crime rate.
• CLEAR: Many people would rather settle in Albuquerque than in Phoenix, although Albuquerque has a higher crime rate.

Pronouns cannot refer to implied nouns. Even if you think the reader will know what you mean, do not use a pronoun without a clear and appropriate antecedent. Instead, rewrite the sentence so that there is no doubt.

• INCORRECT: When scientists are reviewing the literature, they must be sure it is thorough.
• (It could refer only to the scientists’ review, but the noun review does not appear in the sentence.)
• CORRECT: When scientists are reviewing the literature, they must be sure their review is thorough.

Sometimes in your essays, you may want to refer to people in general or society at large.   Whichever option you choose, be consistent. 

• If you are referring to a group of which you, and likely your reader, are a part, then the first-person plural we, us, and our are appropriate.
• If you are referring to a group you are not a member of, then the third-person plural they, them, and their are appropriate.
• Another option is to use the impersonal one and one’s.

• INCONSISTENT: Not all wilderness areas are similar to the glorious Ansel Adams landscapes that we hold in our imaginations. If you’ve seen pictures of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one would be unimpressed by the “natural beauty” of that massive swamp.
  
• CONSISTENT: Not all wilderness areas are similar to the glorious Ansel Adams landscapes that many people hold in their imaginations. If they were to see pictures of ANWR, they would be unimpressed by the “natural beauty” of that massive swamp.

Using Pronouns to Refer to Nouns Practice Set

Revise the following sentences to correct unclear pronoun references.

1. Sports enthusiasts’ desires should not trump the needs of the river and the quiet enjoyment of the people who live near the river. Their opinions should be taken into account.

2. During finals week, students might study all night, which they have not done the rest of the semester.