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Book-Specific Resources / 20 Most Common Errors / Error #2 
There are two common kinds of vague pronoun reference. The first occurs when there is more than one word that the pronoun might refer to; the second, when the reference is to a word that is implied but not explicitly stated. 
What is being limited—the signals or the airwaves? 
Whom does she refer to—Mary Grace or Mrs. Turpin? As edited, there is no doubt.
What does this refer to? The editing makes clear what caused the war.
What does which refer to—the policy or smoking? The editing clarifies the sentence.
Check your draft for clear backward reference of pronouns, words such as he, she, it, they, this, that, which, and who that replace another word so that it does not have to be repeated. Pronouns should refer clearly to a specific word or words (called the antecedent) elsewhere in the sentence or in a previous sentence, so that readers can be sure whom or what the pronoun refers to. For practice recognizing and editing this error, go to Exercise Central. |
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