Which Sentence Contains An Inappropriate Shift In Person

Which Sentence Contains an Inappropriate Shift in Person? A Comprehensive Guide

Maintaining consistent person (first, second, or third) throughout a sentence and a larger piece of writing is crucial for clarity and readability. A shift in person, where the perspective unexpectedly changes from one person to another, creates confusion and disrupts the flow. This article delves into the intricacies of person shifts, explaining what they are, why they're problematic, and how to identify and correct them in your writing. We'll explore numerous examples to solidify your understanding and equip you with the skills to write clear, consistent, and grammatically sound sentences.

Understanding Person in Grammar

Before diving into inappropriate shifts, let's refresh our understanding of grammatical person:

• First Person: Refers to the speaker or writer (I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours).
• Second Person: Refers to the person being addressed (you, your, yours).
• Third Person: Refers to someone or something other than the speaker or the person being addressed (he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its, they, them, their, theirs).

Identifying Inappropriate Shifts in Person

An inappropriate shift in person occurs when the grammatical person changes unexpectedly within a sentence or a paragraph. This jarring change can make the writing sound awkward and unclear, leaving the reader wondering who is performing the action.

Examples of Inappropriate Shifts in Person

Let's examine some examples to illustrate this issue:

Example 1: "If a student wants to succeed, you need to study hard."

This sentence shifts from third person ("a student") to second person ("you"). The consistent person should be third person throughout: "If a student wants to succeed, they need to study hard." Alternatively, you could use the second person consistently: "If you want to succeed, you need to study hard."

Example 2: "One should always strive for excellence; I believe it's the key to success."

Here, the shift is from third person ("One") to first person ("I"). A consistent approach would be to maintain either third person ("One should always strive for excellence; one believes it's the key to success.") or first person ("I believe one should always strive for excellence; I believe it's the key to success."). Note that using "one" consistently can sometimes feel stilted; using first-person might flow better depending on the context.

Example 3: "When people visit a new city, we should always try the local cuisine."

This sentence inappropriately shifts from third person ("people") to first person plural ("we"). Maintaining a consistent third person would yield: "When people visit a new city, they should always try the local cuisine."

Example 4: "After you complete the assignment, submit it to the teacher, and they will grade it."

This example shifts from second person ("you") to third person ("they"). A smoother sentence would be: "After you complete the assignment, submit it to the teacher, and you will receive a grade." or "After a student completes the assignment, they submit it to the teacher, and the teacher will grade it."

Why Avoid Shifts in Person?

Avoiding shifts in person is vital for several reasons:

• Clarity: Consistent person ensures the reader understands who is performing the action throughout the sentence or paragraph. Ambiguity leads to confusion.
• Readability: A smooth, consistent voice enhances readability and makes the writing easier to follow. Shifts disrupt this flow, making the text jarring and less enjoyable to read.
• Professionalism: In academic writing, professional documents, and formal communications, consistent person is essential for maintaining a polished and credible tone. Inadequate attention to person can detract from the overall quality of the writing.
• Accuracy: Incorrect person shifts can result in grammatical errors and weaken the overall impact of the writing.

Advanced Cases and Nuances

While the examples above demonstrate straightforward shifts, more subtle instances can be challenging to spot.

The "You" as a Generic Pronoun

Using "you" as a generic pronoun to refer to people in general is a common source of person shifts, particularly in informal writing. While acceptable in some contexts, it can still lead to inconsistencies when combined with other persons in the same sentence or paragraph. Consider the following:

"When you visit a new country, you should always respect local customs. One should also be mindful of cultural differences." The shift between "you" (second person) and "one" (third person) is subtle but noticeable. A more consistent approach would use third person exclusively: "When visitors arrive in a new country, they should always respect local customs. They should also be mindful of cultural differences."

Collective Nouns and Pronoun Agreement

Collective nouns (e.g., team, group, committee) can sometimes lead to confusion regarding pronoun agreement and person. The pronoun choice depends on whether you're emphasizing the group as a single unit or its individual members.

"The team played well, and they celebrated their victory." (Emphasizes individual members) "The team played well, and it celebrated its victory." (Emphasizes the team as a single unit)

Avoiding Gendered Pronouns

The traditional use of "he" as a generic pronoun to encompass both genders is now widely considered problematic. Modern usage often favors pluralizing the noun or using gender-neutral alternatives such as "they" (singular they), or restructuring the sentence to avoid the pronoun altogether.

Instead of: "If a doctor is late, he should inform his patients." Consider: "If doctors are late, they should inform their patients." or "If a doctor is late, the doctor should inform their patients."

Strategies for Avoiding Shifts in Person

To maintain consistent person in your writing:

1. Choose a Person and Stick with It: Before you begin writing, decide which person (first, second, or third) best suits your purpose and style.

2. Read Your Work Aloud: Reading your writing aloud can help you detect awkward phrasing and inconsistencies in person, making potential errors more apparent.

3. Use a Consistent Point of View: Maintain a consistent perspective throughout your writing; avoiding unnecessary shifts between different perspectives.

4. Use a Style Guide: Refer to a style guide (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style, MLA Handbook) for guidance on person usage and other grammatical conventions.

5. Review and Edit Carefully: Thorough proofreading and editing are essential to identify and correct any person shifts or other grammatical errors.

Conclusion

Maintaining consistent person in your writing is crucial for clarity, readability, and professionalism. By understanding the different types of person shifts, why they're problematic, and how to avoid them, you can elevate the quality and impact of your writing. Remember, consistent person creates a smoother, more engaging, and more persuasive writing experience for your readers. With careful attention and practice, you can master this aspect of grammar and create compelling, grammatically sound content.