The Problem with Pronouns

Pronouns often refer to something else, and it the pronoun doesn’t tell you what that something is. You have to figure it out yourself what the pronoun refers to. Therefore, when you write, make sure this task your reader’s task is easy!

Here’s a Pickles comic:

(We’ll skip that it should be “whom” he goes to)

What does “them” refer to? The rule is that a pronoun refers to the closest noun (called its the pronoun’s antecedent, by the way). So the kid’s misunderstanding is legitimate. It’s The strip is funny because we already know about getting glasses adjusted, but suppose you are explaining something serious—a repair process, something involving safety, a science experiment, a contract. You want to be sure your reader understands it your exact meaning.

Sometimes you might feel as if it’s you’re being repetitious, but it’s repeating the noun is a good way to prevent mishaps.

Get it?