Why I Don’t Like Pronouns

rogersgeorge on September 18th, 2023

This is why I try to avoid pronouns. Last panel. Whose nose???

https://comicskingdom.com/daddy-daze/2023-01-18

Pronouns typically need a noun they refer to, called the antecedent. The topic of the conversation is some famous classmate, but the closest noun is “another kid.” So did the kid shove the hot dog up his own nose, or up the nose of the kid who ate the ketchup? Which one is the antecedent?

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Rogers George has been a technical writer for more than 20 years. He has written on subjects as diverse as outhouse assembly, restaurant reviews, software, information security, and scientific equipment. He has his own writing consultancy and is always happy to discuss writing and grammar. Drop him a line at curmudgeon@writing-rag.com.

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