Avoid Vague Pronouns - Parts Of Speech - LibGuides

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Search this Guide Search Parts of speech Learn more about English parts of speech, such as prepositions and articles, to help you become a more confident writer.

• Welcome
• 1. Adjectives
• 2. Adverbs
• 3. Articles
• 4. Conjunctions
• 5. Gerunds
• 6. Nouns
• 7. Prepositions
• 8. Pronouns
  • Pronoun case
  • Pronoun agreement
  • Avoid vague pronouns
    • Avoid vague pronouns
    • Vague pronouns
  • That or which? Who or whom?
• 9. Verbs
  • Verb tenses
  • Avoiding incorrect shifts in verb tense

Avoid vague pronouns

Pronouns replace or refer to a specific noun. Make sure that your pronouns aren't vague or ambiguous.

Examples:

• When the truck stopped next to the car, it was slightly further ahead than the other vehicle (does "it" refer to the truck or the car?)
• The dog chased the cat until it hid under the couch (does "it" refer to the dog or the cat?)
• My birthday is next week, which is exciting (what is exciting, your birthday or that it is next week?).

Vague pronouns

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• Last Updated: Feb 9, 2026 4:59 PM
• URL: https://libguides.royalroads.ca/parts-of-speech
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