The antecedent to which a pronoun refers must be clear and unmistakable.
Avoid ambiguous reference.
Ambiguous means “having two or more possible meanings. Ambiguity occurs when two antecedents are possible for the same pronoun. You may correct ambiguous reference by
(1) repeating the antecedent or
(2) rewording the sentence.
I removed the plastic lids from the cans and threw them away. (ambiguous)
I removed the plastic lids from the cans and threw the cans away. (clear)
Bill told Kyle that he really did not know much about Botany. (ambiguous)
Bill said, “Kyle, I really do not know much about botany.” (clear)
Avoid implied reference. Implied reference means that their antecedent is not actually stated but must be inferred from other words in the sentence. Implied reference occurs when pronouns are used to refer vaguely to verbs, verbals, j adjectives, or even nouns that merely suggest the idea of antecedent. You can often correct this fault by substituting a noun for the unclear pronoun.
We would like to have honest political leaders, but many of our leaders do not seem to know what it is. (vague—refers to the adjective honest which merely implies the antecedent honesty)
We would like to have honest political leaders, but many of our leaders do not seem to know what honesty is. (clear—noun substituted for pronoun)
She enjoys stamps and believes it to be an exciting hobby. (unclear—refers vaguely to the noun stamps)
She enjoys stamps and believes stamp collecting to be an exciting hobby. (clear—noun equivalent substituted for pronoun).
Avoid broad reference. Broad reference occurs when the j pronouns it, this, that, which are used to refer vaguely to a j clause rather than to some definite noun or pronoun. Correct this fault by
(1) supplying a definite antecedent, or
(2) rewording the sentence to get rid of the pronoun.
He persistently refused counsel from ungodly students, which greatly aided his spiritual progress. (vague—refers to entire clause)
He persistently refused counsel from ungodly students, a practice which greatly aided his spiritual progress. (clear—definite antecedent supplied)
His persistent refusal of counsel from ungodly students greatly aided his spiritual progress. (clear— sentence reworded)
Avoid the indefinite use of it, you, and they.
a. It should usually have a definite antecedent.
In this book it says that walking is an excellent exercise. (indefinite)
This book says that walking is an excellent exercise. (clear)
► Note. In the following idiomatic expressions the use of “It” without an antecedent is correct: it is raining, it is early, it is warm, it seems, etc.
b. Do not use you unless you are speaking specifically to the reader. If you are referring to people in general, use general words, such as one, anyone, person, people.
In communist-controlled countries, you live in constant fear. (incorrect)
In communist-controlled countries, the people live in constant fear. (correct)
c. Do not use they unless it has a definite plural antecedent.
They say that eating pork causes cancer. (indefinite)
Some people say that eating pork causes cancer. (clear)
