If a pronoun identity is unknown what is it called?

Answer 1

When the identity of the antecedent is unknown, the pronoun may be an indefinite pronoun. Example:

• Someone left the door open. (an unknown person)

When the identity of the antecedent is unknown, the pronoun may be an interrogative pronoun. Example:

• Who left the door open? (an unknown person)

When the identity of the antecedent is unknown, it may be an ambiguous pronoun reference. This occurs when a sentence is poorly written in a way that it's unclear which noun the pronoun is replacing. Example:

• Jack and Jake stopped by his father's office. (Whose father's office was it, Jack's or Jake's?)

The sentence must be rewritten:

• Jack stopped by his father's office with Jake.
• Jake stopped by his father's office with Jack.
• Jack and Jake stopped by their father's office. (Jack and Jake are brothers)