请教大全291是否存在they指代不清的问题？

happydw

1. Factory outlet stores, operated by manufacturers, are usually located miles from downtown and regional shopping centers so as not directly to be competitive against department stores in the same trading area.>>

(A) so as not directly to be competitive against>>

(B) in order for them not to have direct competition with>>

(C) so that they do not compete directly with>>

(D) in order that they are not directly competitive against（C）>>

(E) for the purpose of not competing directly with

选项C里面的they是不是指代不清？请指教，谢谢。

greedier

对应主语factory oulet stores, 还算清晰.

关于代词指代问题很复杂, 楼主可以参阅置顶的语法知识学习帖子.

gifiler

 请问这个代词指代，前面存在stores,manufacturers，regional shopping centers好几个复数概念的词，在其他问题中也遇到过如果代词前又好几个复数名次都会有指代歧异的问题，这里的c的they为什么不是指代歧异呢？

mingzhu

正如三楼的同仁所说，前面可以指代的词太多了，让读者自己去猜，所以容易产生歧义。