Dear 1L, Law professors get persnickety over pronouns—and rightly so, as you will see.

Dear 1L, Law professors get persnickety over pronouns—and rightly so, as you will see.

—So if Dick and Dennis go play tennis, do NOT next say that “he” wins 6–3.

—If Mary and June take a walk at noon, do NOT write that “she” stops for tea.

—And if the HR department gets lunch from a famous deli, do NOT write that “it” was pleased with the transaction.

Which “it” did you mean?

Sometimes you must repeat the names: Dick, Dennis, Mary, June, department, or deli.

I know you’re searching for brevity. But clarity is much more key.

So be careful with “it.”
With “he.”
With “she.”

Every day, aim with your pronouns for precision and crystal clar-i-tee.

💌 Amanda

P.S. What’s your biggest gripe with how junior legal writers use pronouns?

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