rge a new word rather than take the
trouble to find one that other people have used. But the young writer,
at least, is far safer while keeping within the limits of good use.

Clearness gained by Coherence.

Coherence in a sentence is that principle of structure by which its
parts are best arranged to stick together. The parts of a sentence
containing related ideas should be so associated that there can be no
mistake regarding the reference or the modification. Such a sentence
as the following cannot be understood; the reference is obscure.
"James told him that he did not see what he was to do in the matter."
If the reader were sure of the first "he," he could not come nearer
than a guess at the reference of the second "he." The third personal
pronoun--he, she, it--in all its cases is especially uncertain in its
references.

The first sentence below is from an English grammar. The second is
from a recently published biography. Both are obscure in the reference
of the pronouns.

"When 'self' is added to a pronoun of the First and Second
person, it is preceded by the Possessive case. But when it
is added to a pronoun of the Third person, it is preceded by
a pronoun in the Objective case."

"I am reminded of Swinburne's view of Providence when he
said that he never saw an old gentleman give a sixpence to a
beggar, but he was straightway run over by a 'bus."

The relative pronoun is also uncertain in its references.

Some Southerners were among the ship's passengers, of whom a
few had served in the Rebellion. (Obscure reference.)

Red lights were displayed in a peculiar succession, which
warned of impending storm. (No antecedent.)

To make the reference of pronouns, personal and relative, distinct,
the antecedent must be made prominent; sometimes the only way out of
the difficulty is a repetition of the antecedent. And the pronoun
should stand near the word to which it refers. Keep associated ideas
together.

Like pronouns in the uncertainty of their reference are participles.
Either the subject is not expressed, or it is uncertain.

Hastening up the steps, the door opened. (None.)

Coming from the spring, with a pail of water in either hand,
he saw her for the first time. (Uncertain.)

Adverbs are sometimes placed so that they make a sentence ridiculous;
and frequently their meaning is lost by being separated from the words
they modify