This one paragraph contains a business grammar error. Find and correct it.
On July 28, managers presented second quarter sales reports. Greg Cavalos and Daniel Stein discussed the customer service issues that caused the sales decline. Evan Dupont addressed Greg and Daniel’s report, and I agree with him.
Explanation:
This is an example of an unclear pronoun reference (often technically referred to as a “pronoun antecedent error.”) Is the pronoun “him” referring to Greg, Daniel or Evan? It’s not clear, forcing the reader to make assumptions.
Solution:
If you use a pronoun to refer to previously discussed people, make sure the sentence structure makes it clear to whom you refer. The definitive Gregg Reference Manual provides an excellent explanation of this:
- CONFUSING: Unrealistic deadlines, excessive pressures, and unsafe working conditions can be very damaging to your employees. You must do everything you can to eliminate them. [The employees or the destructive conditions?]
- CLEAR: Unrealistic deadlines, excessive pressures and unsafe working conditions can be very damaging to your employees. You must do everything you can to eliminate these destructive conditions.
Learn More in This Course: Business Grammar: Error-Free Writing
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hi Ms. Cullen,
Enjoyed your blog tip here. I’ve found in my own training classes that business folks have a lot of trouble with this pronoun antecedent issue. It’s a bit tricky, sometimes, and very ea-sy to breeze by upon first glance without even noticing it. However, as you point out, it becomes a clarity issue that can confuse the reader. Great blog. Thanks!