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Rhetoric and Composition/Unclear demonstrative pronoun reference
Reference material by Wikibooks contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
Example
The amount of information that needs to be entered into the database
is enormous, and it needs to be entered in a different way for each patient.
This will make the design process complex."
What's wrong?
The example uses a demonstrative pronoun (such as this, these, or those), but there are two or more possible antecedents. To which does the pronoun refer?
Consider this example:
The new equipment arrived yesterday, and everything is in
working order. This was something of a surprise.
Which is surprising? The fact that the equipment arrived, or that it was in working order, or both?
How to fix this problem
Supply a clarifying noun:
The new equipment arrived yesterday, and everything is in working order.
This happy outcome was something of a surprise.