Pronoun Reference for Cohesion
用代词复指
Use personal and demonstrative pronouns to create cohesive, well-connected multi-sentence passages
First introduce a person, thing, or concept by name. In the following sentences, refer back to it using the appropriate pronoun (他, 她, 它 for people and things; 这, 那 for concepts and situations). This creates smooth, natural cohesion across sentences.
Chinese uses pronouns less frequently than English — sometimes the subject is simply dropped (see GP-71 on ellipsis). The key skill is knowing WHEN to use a pronoun and when to omit it. Overusing pronouns sounds unnatural; underusing them causes confusion.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Pronoun Reference for Cohesion (用代词复指)
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Understanding 用代词复指
Writing and speaking in Chinese beyond single sentences requires a skill that textbooks rarely teach explicitly: pronoun reference (复指). When you introduce someone by name — say, 这个小伙子是英国留学生 — the following sentences need to refer back to him smoothly. You do this with 他 (he), but not in every single sentence — sometimes you drop the pronoun entirely when the referent is obvious. The same principle applies to things and concepts: introduce 网络 (the internet) and then use 它 in subsequent sentences. Demonstrative pronouns (这, 那) work similarly for referring back to situations, ideas, or abstract concepts. The goal is cohesion — making your multi-sentence passages flow naturally rather than reading like a list of disconnected statements. Chinese has three levels of reference: full noun (这个学生), pronoun (他), and zero (just drop it). Mastering when to use each level is what separates intermediate speakers from advanced ones.
Key Points
- 他/她 for people — introduce by name first, then switch to the pronoun.
- 它 for things and abstract concepts — 网络……它……
- 这/那 for referring back to situations, ideas, or previously mentioned facts.
- Do not overuse pronouns — Chinese often drops the subject when it is clear from context.
- Switch back to the full noun when a new referent is introduced or when ambiguity might arise.
- In formal writing, pronoun chains should be consistent and clear across paragraphs.
- Mixed reference (using all types of pronouns together) appears in longer, more complex passages.
Chinese prose style values conciseness. Where English might use "he," "his," and "him" repeatedly, Chinese often drops the pronoun entirely once the topic is established. This reflects the broader Chinese communication principle of saying just enough — trusting the listener to fill in what is obvious.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
这个小伙子是我们学校的英国留学生。他来中国之前，在英国学过一点儿中文。
This young man is a British exchange student at our school. Before he came to China, he had studied a little Chinese in England.
Personal pronoun 他 referring back to 这个小伙子
他觉得中文很有意思，去年公司派他来中国学习中文。
He finds Chinese very interesting, and last year the company sent him to China to study Chinese.
现在他还想去报博士班继续在中国工作。
Now he also wants to enroll in a doctoral program to continue working in China.
网络对我们的生活越来越重要。它随时告诉我们关于世界各地发生的新闻。
The internet is increasingly important to our lives. It keeps us informed about news from around the world.
Demonstrative 它 referring back to 网络
人们不但通过它买东西、跟朋友交流，它还让生活变得越来越方便。
People not only use it to shop and communicate with friends, but it also makes life increasingly convenient.
这件事我已经听说了。这对我们来说是个好消息。
I have already heard about this matter. This is good news for us.
Demonstrative 这 referring to a situation
李老师教了三十年书。她的学生遍布全国各地。他们中很多人都成了各行各业的骨干。
Teacher Li has taught for thirty years. Her students are spread across the country. Many of them have become key professionals in various fields.
Mixed reference: 她 for Teacher Li, 他们 for her students
Common Mistakes
Repeating the full name in every sentence sounds robotic. After introducing 小王, use 他 in subsequent sentences, and drop the subject when it is clear.
Overusing 他 in every clause is also unnatural. Once the referent is clear, drop the pronoun and connect clauses.
When two people of the same gender are mentioned, using 他 creates ambiguity. Switch back to the full name to clarify.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Introduce a person or thing by full name/noun first, then switch to pronouns.
Chinese drops pronouns more than English — if the subject is obvious, omit it.
When two same-gender people are mentioned, use full names to avoid ambiguity.
Practice by writing short paragraphs about someone's day — focus on smooth pronoun transitions.
Homework
Write two paragraphs (4-5 sentences each): one about a person you admire (using personal pronoun reference) and one about technology (using 它 to refer to the technology). Focus on natural pronoun use — neither overusing nor underusing pronouns.