The key idea
Choose pronouns and reference words that clearly show who or what you mean.
What is it for?
Learn how to make references clear and avoid repeating the same words too often.
What you need to know
- Use he, she, it and they when the reader knows who or what they mean.
- Use this, that, these and those to refer to things or ideas.
- Use one, another and the same to avoid repeating nouns.
- Name the person or thing again when a pronoun could confuse the reader.
- Check every reference word to make sure its meaning is clear.
1. Help the reader follow your ideas
Reference words point to people, things or ideas. They help readers follow your text without reading the same noun again and again.
Use them when the reader can easily identify their meaning. If the meaning is unclear, repeat the noun instead.
- Use a pronoun after you introduce a person or thing.
- Use reference words to connect related sentences.
- Repeat the noun when the reader needs a clear reminder.
Marta bought a new phone. She uses it for work.
She means Marta, and it means the phone.
The bus was late. This caused problems for several passengers.
This refers to the late bus.
2. Choose the right reference word
Use he or she for a person when the meaning is clear. Use it for one thing and they for people or things in the plural.
Use this or that for one thing or idea. Use these or those for more than one. One, another and the same can help you avoid repeated nouns.
- Use this or these for something you are presenting or discussing.
- Use that or those when pointing to something already mentioned.
- Use one for a single item of the same kind.
- Use another for an additional item.
- Use the same when two things are identical or unchanged.
I tried two jackets. The blue one fitted better.
One replaces the repeated noun jacket.
We visited two shops. The second one was cheaper.
One means shop, so the noun does not need repeating.
3. Fix unclear references
Sometimes a pronoun can point to two different things. The reader must guess what you mean.
Change the sentence so the meaning is clear. You can repeat a noun or change the sentence order.
- Look for sentences with two possible meanings.
- Name the person or thing if the pronoun is unclear.
- Do not make the reader guess.
Lena told Sara that she was late.
She could mean Lena or Sara.
Lena told Sara, 'You are late.'
The new sentence clearly identifies the person who was late.
4. Avoid repetition without losing meaning
Repeating the same noun in every sentence can make a text tiring to read. Use pronouns and other reference words to improve the flow.
However, too many pronouns can also confuse readers. Repeat a noun when several people or things appear in the text.
- Replace repeated nouns when the meaning stays clear.
- Change repeated sentence openings when possible.
- Name the main person or thing again after several sentences.
- Point to every pronoun and check its meaning.
Our new neighbour has a dog. The dog follows him everywhere.
The repeated noun dog makes the meaning clear.
Our new neighbour has a dog. It follows him everywhere.
It replaces dog because the reader knows what it means.
How to do it, step by step
- Introduce the person, thing or idea.
- Use a suitable pronoun or reference word when you mention it again.
- Repeat the noun if the reference could have two meanings.
- Vary repeated nouns and sentence openings where possible.
- Check each reference word before you finish.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| person + he/she + verb | Nadia works nearby. She walks to work. | Omar cooks dinner. He enjoys trying new recipes. |
| thing + it + verb | My laptop is old. It still works well. | The door was locked. It needed a new key. |
| plural noun + they + verb | The children arrived early. They waited outside. | My shoes were wet. They dried overnight. |
| this/that + verb or noun | The train stopped suddenly. This delayed our journey. | I missed the bus. That was frustrating. |
| these/those + plural noun | These boxes contain my books. | Those bags belong to the visitors. |
| the + adjective + one | I prefer the smaller one. | The green one costs less. |
| another + singular noun | This chair is uncomfortable. Can I try another one? | The first shop was closed, so we visited another shop. |
| the same + noun | We took the same bus yesterday. | They chose the same hotel for their next trip. |
UK / US: British and American English use these reference words in similar ways. The main rules are the same.
Level up: Replace basic words (good, very, nice) with stronger ones. See our A2 to B1 upgrades page.
Model text
Making a Message Clearer
Before
Last Friday, Mia visited a shop with her brother. The shop sold school bags, and Mia wanted a school bag. Her brother found a school bag near the door. He showed it to Mia, but she did not like it. Mia found a school bag with several pockets. The school bag cost less than the first school bag. Mia bought the school bag because the school bag had enough space for her books.
The repeated words make the message slow and tiring to read.
After
Last Friday, Mia visited a shop with her brother. It sold school bags, and Mia wanted one. Her brother found a bag near the door and showed it to her, but she disliked its design. Then Mia found another bag with several pockets. This one cost less than the first option. What Mia liked most was its useful design, which gave her enough space for her books. She bought it before they left the shop.
Pronouns and reference words reduce repetition. Each one has a clear meaning.
Common mistakes
✗ Mia spoke to Ana because she was worried.
✓ Mia was worried, so she spoke to Ana.
The first sentence does not show who was worried.
✗ The bag was heavy, and it made it difficult to carry it.
✓ The bag was heavy, so carrying it was difficult.
Too many uses of it make the sentence harder to follow.
✗ I bought a notebook. The notebook was cheap. The notebook was useful.
✓ I bought a notebook. It was cheap and useful.
The pronoun it replaces repeated uses of notebook.
✗ I tried two coats. The one was warmer.
✓ I tried two coats. The second one was warmer.
The phrase the one does not identify the coat clearly.
✗ Tom put the cup beside the plate, but it was dirty.
✓ Tom put the cup beside the plate, but the cup was dirty.
It could mean the cup or the plate.
✗ These bag is mine.
✓ This bag is mine.
Use this with one item and these with more than one.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Underline nouns that appear more than once.
- Choose pronouns or reference words for repeated nouns.
- Repeat a noun when the meaning might be unclear.
- Read the text again and check every reference.
Check
- Can I identify the person or thing behind every pronoun?
- Could any reference word mean two different things?
- Have I repeated the same noun too many times?
- Have I named important people and things again when needed?
- Does the text remain clear when I read it aloud?
Practice
Find What the Word Points To
Read each text. Choose the best answer.
1.Luca bought a bicycle. He rides it to work. The word "it" points to:
It refers to the bicycle because that is what Luca rides.
2.Sara and Nina made dinner. They served it at seven. The word "They" points to:
They refers to the two people who made dinner.
3.Which sentence makes the meaning clear?
The second sentence clearly shows who arrived and called Lina.
4.I tried two pairs of shoes. The black ___ were more comfortable.
Ones replaces the plural noun shoes.
5.Which sentence avoids repetition and stays clear?
It clearly refers to the phone without repeating the noun.
6.Maya bought a blue mug and a white mug. ___ was cheaper.
The white one clearly identifies the mug being discussed.
Complete the References
Write one suitable reference word in each gap.
1.Daniel has a new job. starts on Monday.
It refers to Daniel's new job.
2.The children packed their bags. were ready to leave.
They refers to the children.
3.I bought two cakes. The chocolate was for my sister.
One replaces the repeated noun cake.
4.Our bus arrived twenty minutes late. made us miss the start.
This refers to the late arrival of the bus.
5.I finished my first sandwich and then ate one.
Another means one more sandwich.
6.Rita and I chose the seats as yesterday.
Same shows that the seats did not change.
Fix the Reference
Change only the unclear or repeated word.
1.Leo spoke to Max because he was upset.
He could mean Leo or Max. Use the name.
2.The chair was broken, so it needed repairing it.
The final it is unnecessary because the object is already clear.
3.I bought a jacket. The jacket was warm.
Use it to avoid repeating the noun.
4.I tested two phones. The one was faster.
The second one clearly identifies which phone was faster.
5.The plate stood beside the cup, and it was cracked.
Repeating plate removes doubt about which item was cracked.
6.These book belongs to my cousin.
This is used with one book.
Match Each Problem to Its Fix
Match each writing problem with the best solution.
1.A pronoun could mean two people.
2.The same noun appears in every sentence.
3.A pronoun appears before its meaning is clear.
4.The text uses it too many times.
5.The reader cannot identify one of two items.
Now write
Your task
Rewrite the text below so the references are clear and repeated words disappear. Keep the same events and meaning. You may change sentence order. Text to rewrite: 'Nora visited a market with her cousin. Nora wanted a lamp, and Nora found a lamp near the entrance. Nora showed the lamp to her cousin, but the cousin disliked the lamp. The cousin found another lamp, and the cousin liked the lamp because the lamp had a wooden base. Nora checked the price of the lamp, and Nora bought the lamp.' Write one connected text of about 80 to 110 words. Use pronouns and reference words carefully. Add a little detail if it helps the text flow.
Word bank
sheherittheythisthatoneanotherthe samethe first lampthe second lampwooden basepricemarketentrance
Sentence starters
- Nora visited a market with ...
- She wanted to find ...
- Near the entrance, she ...
- When she showed it to ...
- Her cousin preferred ...
- In the end, Nora ...