Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person
Design by Delta publications
Key Notes:
✨ Correct Inappropriate Shifts in Pronoun Number and Person ✨
| What is a Pronoun? 🧑🤝🧑 |
A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun to avoid repetition.
Examples:
- He, she, it, they, we, I, you
| What are Pronoun Number and Person? 🔢👤 |
Number: Pronouns can be singular (one person/thing) or plural (more than one).
- Singular: he, she, it, I
- Plural: they, we
Person: Pronouns show who is speaking.
- 1st person – speaker (I, we)
- 2nd person – listener (you)
- 3rd person – someone/something else (he, she, it, they)
| What is an Inappropriate Shift? ⚠️ |
An inappropriate shift happens when a pronoun suddenly changes in number or person, making the sentence confusing.
Examples of incorrect shifts ❌:
Every student must bring their pencil.
- ❌ “Every student” is singular, but “their” is plural.
- ✅ Correct: Every student must bring his or her pencil.
If a person wants to succeed, you must work hard.
- ❌ Starts with a person (3rd), shifts to you (2nd).
- ✅ Correct: If a person wants to succeed, he or she must work hard.
| How to Correct Shifts ✅ |
1. Keep pronouns consistent in number
Singular → singular, plural → plural
Example:
- ❌ Someone left their bag.
- ✅ Someone left his or her bag.
2. Keep pronouns consistent in person
Don’t mix 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person
Example:
- ❌ I love reading, but you should enjoy it too.
- ✅ I love reading, and I enjoy it too.
3. Use plural forms when possible for simplicity
Example:
- ❌ Each student must submit his or her homework.
- ✅ All students must submit their homework.
| Quick Tips 💡 |
- 🔹 Identify the subject first.
- 🔹 Match pronoun number with the subject.
- 🔹 Match pronoun person with the subject.
- 🔹 Avoid switching pronouns in the same sentence.
| Fun Emoji Reminder 🎉 |
- Singular 👤 → he, she, it
- Plural 👥 → they, we
- 1st person 🗣️ → I, we
- 2nd person 👉 → you
- 3rd person 👀 → he, she, it, they
Let’s practice!🖊️
