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IELTS Writing for PhD applicants: How to Fix Unclear pronouns and reference words

Make sure each 'this', 'it' or 'they' points to one clear noun. If the reader has to guess, repeat the noun or use 'this' plus a noun such as 'this approach'.

At a glance

For
PhD applicants
Problem
Unclear pronouns and reference words
Scoring criterion
Coherence and Cohesion
Task affected
Task 1 and Task 2
IELTS test
Academic
Typical effort
a few days
First step
Underline every 'this', 'that', 'it' and 'they' in your essay.

Why this happens to PhD applicants

Unclear reference breaks the chain between sentences. Writers know what 'it' means, but the reader may see two possible nouns, and cohesion suffers when referencing is faulty or ambiguous.

Why this affects PhD applicants: research writing is cautious and hedged, which can make a Task 2 position look uncommitted.

Long, complex paragraphs lose the single central idea.

A strength to build on: Practice with structured argument and evidence is already strong.

Fix it in four steps

  1. Underline every 'this', 'that', 'it' and 'they' in your essay.
  2. Draw an arrow to the noun each one refers to. If you cannot find one, rewrite the sentence.
  3. Replace a bare 'this' with 'this' plus a noun when two things were mentioned before.
  4. Vary reference with synonyms only when the meaning is exact.

Before and after

Before

Governments and companies invest in research and this can improve it.

After

Governments and companies invest in research, and this investment can improve public health.

Ten-minute drill: Mark all reference words in two past essays and fix any that point to more than one noun.

Questions and answers

What is the fastest way for PhD applicants to fix unclear pronouns and reference words?

Make sure each 'this', 'it' or 'they' points to one clear noun. If the reader has to guess, repeat the noun or use 'this' plus a noun such as 'this approach'. Long, complex paragraphs lose the single central idea.

How long does it take PhD applicants to fix unclear pronouns and reference words?

Most learners need a few days. Research schedules are flexible but easily crowded out, so fix a weekly timed session.

Is it safe to repeat the same noun?

A little repetition is better than ambiguity. Use pronouns for clear references and repeat or substitute a noun when a pronoun could mean two things.

What is the most common referencing error?

A bare 'this' that follows a sentence with several ideas. Adding a noun after it usually fixes the problem.

What does a good practice drill look like for PhD applicants?

Mark all reference words in two past essays and fix any that point to more than one noun. Research schedules are flexible but easily crowded out, so fix a weekly timed session.

How can PhD applicants tell they have fixed unclear pronouns and reference words?

A reader can follow every reference word to a single noun without re-reading.

What should PhD applicants know about their IELTS Writing target?

Doctoral programmes and funders set minimum IELTS scores, often with a Writing minimum. Check the departmental and funder rules separately.

Should PhD applicants practise this on Task 1, Task 2 or both?

It shows up in both tasks. Fix it in Task 2 first, because Task 2 carries about twice the weight of Task 1, then check Task 1 with the same checklist. Practice with structured argument and evidence is already strong.

Can an AI checker help PhD applicants with unclear pronouns and reference words?

An AI checker can show where this pattern appears in your own essay and which criterion it affects, which makes the fix concrete. It gives a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score, so use it to choose the next revision, rewrite, and check again. The first check on this site is free.

Check your own essay

See where unclear pronouns and reference words appears in your own writing and which criterion it affects, then rewrite the weakest paragraph.

Run a free first check

Feedback is a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score. Last reviewed 2026-11-11. Score requirements change, so confirm them with the organisation that will read your result.

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