In editing, which practice improves pronoun clarity?

• A. Use pronouns that refer to distant antecedents.
• B. Always avoid pronouns altogether.
• C. Repeat the noun before using a pronoun to avoid ambiguity.
• D. Use passive voice to obscure references.

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how to keep pronouns from confusing the reader by tying them clearly to the right noun. Repeating the noun before a pronoun is a simple, reliable way to prevent ambiguity, especially when there are multiple people or things involved or when a sentence is long and the antecedent is far from the pronoun.

For example, in a sentence where it’s easy to wonder who did what, you can reduce confusion by restating the noun before the pronoun: The officer spoke to the detective about the incident, and the officer believed that the plan would work. This makes it crystal who is performing the action and who is being referred to, leaving no doubt for the reader.

Other approaches don’t fit as well. Trying to avoid pronouns altogether makes writing bulky and less natural, while using passive voice often obscures who is responsible and doesn’t guarantee clear references. Relying on distant antecedents tends to create the very ambiguity you want to avoid.