pronoun reference ambiguity
A pronoun that could point to more than one noun.
A pronoun must point to one clear noun. He, she, it, they, and this all fail when two nouns could take them. Rita told Dana she had missed the deadline does not tell who missed it. Repeat the name, quote the speaker, or recast.
Examples
UseRita told Dana, “I missed the deadline.”
AvoidRita told Dana she had missed the deadline.
UseThe hall and the lock failed inspection. The lock was fixed.
AvoidThe hall and the lock failed inspection. It was fixed.