The Grammar Doctor

Pronoun Reference

A pronoun takes the place of a noun. To avoid possible misunderstanding, it must be clear what noun is being replaced. For clear reference:
  1. there must be a noun (or another pronoun) that is being replaced.
  2. that noun must be in the same or the previous sentence.
  3. there must be only one noun or pronoun in the context that could be replaced by that pronoun.

UNCLEAR: After a while co-workers get tired of the conflicts created, or they may tell stories about you.

[" They" could refer to " co-workers" or to " conflicts." In the paper from which this sentence was taken, " they" referred to " back-stabbers," a word that had bene used four sentences back. That is too far away for the reader to remember.]

REVISED: If you have the misfortune to work with one of those back-stabbers, you will soon get tired of the conflict they create. This will be especially true if you find they have been telling stories about you.

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