Problems with "pronoun reference"?

Question

Can you please explain why this one has an unclear pronoun reference:

Einstein was a brilliant mathematician. This is how he was able to explain the universe. (Does this mean that a pronoun reference used after a period (full stop) makes it unclear?)

But this has a correct one:

Einstein, who was brilliant mathematician, used his ability with numbers to explain the universe.

Can you tell me why using the pronoun later might make it an unclear pronoun:

Because Senator Martin is less interested in the environment than in economic development. he sometimes neglects it.

But using it before makes it clear:

Because of his interest in economic development, Senator Martin sometimes neglects the environment.

When does a pronoun reference actually become unclear? Can you give some examples?

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

TrunksCan you please explain why this one has an unclear pronoun reference:

Einstein was a brilliant mathematician. This is how he was able to explain the universe. (Does this mean that a pronoun reference used after a period (full stop) makes it unclear?)

All I can think is that "this" could refer to his being a brilliant mathematician, or it could refer to the text that is to follow. Usually one would assume the former reading.

This possible ambiguity has nothing to do with "this" following a full stop. It would be the same with "... and this is how ...".

Trunks
Can you tell me why using the pronoun later might make it an unclear pronoun:

Because Senator Martin is less interested in the environment than in economic development. he sometimes neglects it.

I assume the full stop before "he" is supposed to be a comma. I don't see any ambiguity. "he" can only refer to Senator Martin (no one else has been mentioned), and the sense tells us that "it" refers to the environment.

Trunks
But using it before makes it clear:

Because of his interest in economic development, Senator Martin sometimes neglects the environment.

I don't know what you mean by "But using it before makes it clear". Which pronoun you are referring to? In the previous sentence you had "he" and "it". Now you only have "his" (assuming that you classify "his" as a pronoun).

TrunksWhen does a pronoun reference actually become unclear? Can you give some examples?

It becomes unclear any time the pronoun can plausibly apply to more than one thing that has been mentioned (or, occasionally, is to be mentioned). Here are two I stole from some web page:

Ethel told Lucy that her pie was wonderful.
[Is this pie Ethel's or Lucy's?]

The files arranged by the temporary workers were out of order, so we sent them back to the main office.
[Did the files or the workers return to the main office?]

Trunks · Answer

Well I didn't yet quite understand why the first one is wrong either. I found this pronoun reference error given in one of my notes which i took from a certain website.

And as for the second one, i believe the error lies in the fact that "it" makes a reference to both "environment" as well as "economic development". However, I still have some doubts.

And I understand the simple sentences with incorrect pronoun reference. However, I seem to get stuck with the harder ones.

Ivanhr · Answer

Trunks
And as for the second one, i believe the error lies in the fact that "it" makes a reference to both "environment" as well as "economic development". However, I still have some doubts.

"It" in that sentence can refer only to the environment. There's no way the "it" can refer to "economic development". (there's no ambiguity whatsoever)

Trunks · Answer

O okay...thnx

Problems with "pronoun reference"?

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