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Writing Clear Sentences
Create sentences that are clear and to the point. The next two pages identify problems that can lead to confusing sentences.
Problems with Pronouns
Avoid sentences in which a pronoun does not agree with its antecedent. An antecedent is the word the pronoun refers to.
Agreement problem
Someone left their skateboard in the locker room.
(The antecedent someone is singular, but their is plural. To avoid gender problems, the easiest fix is to eliminate the second pronoun.)
Corrected sentence
Someone left a skateboard in the locker room.
Avoid sentences with a confusing pronoun reference.