Pronouns: make the reference clear

Make the reference clear

Make each pronoun point clearly to a noun or idea. Repeat a name or noun if two references are possible.

Worked example: Unclear: When Maya called Sara, she sounded worried. Clear: When Maya called Sara, Maya sounded worried. Repeating Maya identifies the worried person.

Singular they and reflexives

Use they/their for a person whose gender is unknown. A reflexive pronoun points back to the subject of its clause.

Worked example: If a learner forgets their password, they can reset it. They refers to one learner; it refers to the password.

Separate explained answers

1. When Maya called Sara, Sara was worried. Repeating Sara makes the reference clear.
2. Are. Singular they takes are even when it refers to one visitor.
3. Me. It is the ordinary object of email; there is no matching first-person subject requiring a reflexive.