Avoid confusing pronouns
Step 6 – Revise

Poor: Ambiguous Pronouns

-

The woman talked to her coworker about the problem she was having with her friend, who kept visiting the office seeking her help revising her resume to apply for a position at her former company.

Better: Clear

+

Jane talked to Terry about Jane’s friend Maria, who wanted to apply for a position at Jane’s former company and who kept visiting the office seeking Terry’s help revising her resume.

Poor: Ambiguous Pronouns

-

The inspector told the electrician that he made a mistake.

Better: Clear

+

The inspector said, “I made a mistake.”

+

The inspector told the electrician, “You made a mistake.”

+

The inspector admitted to the electrician that he made a mistake.

+

The inspector accused the electrician of making a mistake.

Poor: Ambiguous Pronouns

-

The accountant sat at the desk and worked on her laptop PC. It was too small.

Better: Clear

+

The accountant sat at the desk, which was too small, and worked on her laptop PC.

+

The accountant sat at the desk and worked on her laptop PC, which was too small.