Writing Stack Exchange
Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [pronouns]

Use this tag for questions primarily about pronouns. In English, pronouns include "who", "this", "someone", "everyone" and personal pronouns such as "I", "him", "hers", "themselves". Use the [gender] tag too if your question is about gendered pronouns

See also:

28 questions
16
votes
2 answers

How can I avoid overusing "I" and "I'm" in a first person short story?

The story I'm writing uses 'I' and 'I'm' way too much, and it's really obvious. The problem is that I cannot find words to replace the two, and when I do, it always changes and bends what I'm trying to portray, making it extremely difficult and…
Rose
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14
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5 answers

How to avoid using "he/she/it" repetitively in action

I'm writing a zombie apocalypse genre book (yes, I know it's a heavily used and abused writing genre, but I'm writing it in my way, a way I believe is a good way). Anyway, I caught myself writing "he and/or Will" one too many times in the beginning…
A. Kvåle
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13
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3 answers

How do I properly present dialogue in a scene with two female characters?

When writing a conversation between two female characters, I found myself using their names over and over instead of using pronouns. If I use 'she' for both of them, it's confusing to read because it is unclear which character is speaking. How do I…
Elle. H.
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11
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2 answers

How to clarify the objects of a sentence's two pronouns?

I am trying to describe a process. There are two players in the scenario. Player A tries to find player B. If player A finds player B, then player A tags player B. Something like that. Here is an example: A fox tries to find a rabbit that is…
feeling_lonely
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10
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2 answers

Alternative word for "she"

I am writing about a female person. I noticed most of my sentences start with "she". Is there a way to avoid using this pronoun too many times, and use an alternative word instead? I have tried using her name from time to time, but the sentences…
Ari
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9
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6 answers

What is the proper way to use the pronoun "I" without too much repetition?

I found a new job in London and while emailing with my soon-to-be boss, I noticed something that drove me off: the constant repetition of the pronoun I. This is very different from my native language (Italian) and most of the time, sounds and reads…
Samuele Mattiuzzo
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8
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3 answers

How can I avoid overusing her/she or the character name when describing character action

I'm writing a story and my writing style involves lots of paragraphs describing what's happening and less dialogue. Which I'm sure isn't uncommon, but I noticed that I tend to overuse her, she, and the character's name. Sometimes I can get away with…
Marisol Rogers
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8
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8 answers

What pronouns should I use for a character with no gender?

I'm writing a book in which there is a character with no gender. I don't know what pronouns I should use for this character. I can't use he/she. What pronouns should I use? Example: With gender: She kissed him Without gender: It kissed him It…
Coder2195
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8
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1 answer

How to cut down on using too many pronouns (he, she, his etc.) while writing paragraphs (fiction)

I'm a relatively new writer and decided I would try and write something for fun. For the most part I have been finding it alright, however, I am really having trouble with repetitive sentences with too many pronouns. Take for example this paragraph,…
Sgt Porkchops
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7
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1 answer

When to use the character's name and when to use she/he?

This is the first short story where I'm using actual names for the characters. Here is a sample: "Sorry for the question," Jun said. "But why don' you have friends?" Ling glanced at him, then opened her Asahi cocktail. "People are scared of me,"…
wyc
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4
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3 answers

Pronouns for a character that body hops?

I'm currently writing a paranormal thriller novel where people can inhabit other peoples' bodies -- regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexuality. I'm currently in moral turmoil over how to use pronouns for a specific character, because the…
T Kitto
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4
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2 answers

What are the grammatical and stylistic alternatives to avoid overusing pronouns?

Recently, I've developed a habit of writing he/she/him/her and overusing the character's name at the beginning of sentences. For example: Pandora ran through the snow, following the coughs to a small building that barely qualified as a house. There…
Pixie
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4
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3 answers

How can I steer myself away from using pronouns too often as I write in 3rd person?

I noticed that I use "she", "he", and "they" - and a lot of sentences also begin with the aforementioned pronouns. How can I steer away from doing this so often as I write in 3rd person fiction? Here is an example: Rosa took off her shoes, and…
Dawn Kelli
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4
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7 answers

Is it considered faulty language to use Spivak pronouns in an essay?

High school level essay to be exact, but I'd like to also know if Spivak pronouns could be used in papers or publications. Should I just rephrase everything using the one pronoun or singular they? I'm not a native English speaker
ojsl1
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3
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3 answers

How to avoid using "she" repetitively in action?

I really like to write but I have a problem. I am starting to write and I want to make it mostly in 3rd person, but I don't know if I can do that and not repeat the pronouns she or he a lot. I am going to leave a little example here: It was 7 in…
Luana Bourgard
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