Final answer:
To improve clarity, 'they' in sentence 18 should be replaced with a specific noun or noun phrase that identifies the group or individual referred to, ensuring the pronoun has a clear antecedent.
Step-by-step explanation:
To clarify the pronoun reference in sentence 18 and create a more effective sentence, one must replace 'they' with a noun or noun phrase that clearly identifies the specific group or individual the pronoun is intended to refer to.
Clear antecedent is crucial for understanding, especially given the traditional and emerging usage of 'they' as a singular pronoun. Language evolution shows that 'they' can now serve as a gender-neutral pronoun, aligning with inclusive practices and the recognition of nonbinary and transgender individuals' pronoun preferences.
For instance, if sentence 18 refers to 'all nine members of the school board' from a previous sentence, then 'the members' would effectively replace 'they' for clarity.