Which Sentences Contain Pronoun Shifts Check All That Apply.

Which Sentences Contain Pronoun Shifts? Check All That Apply.

Pronoun shifts are a common grammatical error that can confuse readers and weaken your writing. They occur when the pronoun used in a sentence doesn't agree in number or person with its antecedent (the noun or pronoun it refers to). Identifying and correcting these shifts is crucial for clear and effective communication. This comprehensive guide will help you understand pronoun shifts, identify them in sentences, and learn how to correct them.

Understanding Pronoun Shifts: A Deep Dive

A pronoun shift occurs when a writer changes the grammatical person (first, second, or third) or number (singular or plural) of pronouns inconsistently within a sentence or paragraph. This inconsistency creates ambiguity and disrupts the flow of the writing.

Examples of Pronoun Shifts:

• Person Shifts: These occur when the writer switches between first person ("I," "me," "my," "mine," "we," "us," "our," "ours"), second person ("you," "your," "yours"), and third person ("he," "him," "his," "she," "her," "hers," "it," "its," "they," "them," "their," "theirs") pronouns inconsistently.

• Number Shifts: These happen when the writer switches between singular and plural pronouns without a corresponding change in the antecedent.

Let's illustrate with examples:

Incorrect: "When a person chooses to participate in the marathon, they must be prepared for the physical demands." (Pronoun shift: "person" is singular, "they" is plural)

Correct: "When a person chooses to participate in the marathon, he or she must be prepared for the physical demands." or "When people choose to participate in the marathon, they must be prepared for the physical demands."

Incorrect: "Each student should bring their own supplies to class." (Pronoun shift: "Each student" is singular, "their" is plural)

Correct: "Each student should bring his or her own supplies to class." or "Students should bring their own supplies to class."

Identifying Pronoun Shifts: A Practical Guide

Identifying pronoun shifts requires careful reading and an understanding of pronoun-antecedent agreement. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Locate the Pronouns: First, identify all the pronouns in the sentence or paragraph. This includes personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they), possessive pronouns (my, your, his, her, its, our, their), and reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves).

2. Identify the Antecedents: Next, determine the antecedent of each pronoun. The antecedent is the noun or pronoun to which the pronoun refers. Sometimes, the antecedent is implied, but it should always be clear from the context.

3. Check for Agreement: Compare the number and person of each pronoun with its antecedent. If there's a mismatch, you've identified a pronoun shift. The pronoun should agree in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third) with its antecedent.

4. Look for Ambiguity: Pronoun shifts often create ambiguity. If you find yourself unsure which antecedent a pronoun refers to, this is a strong indicator of a pronoun shift.

5. Consider the Context: Sometimes, pronoun shifts are subtle and difficult to spot. Read the sentence or paragraph carefully in its context to ensure consistent pronoun usage.

Common Types of Pronoun Shifts and Their Corrections

Let's delve into specific types of pronoun shifts and how to correct them effectively:

1. Shifts from Singular to Plural (and vice-versa)

This is perhaps the most common type of pronoun shift. It arises when a singular antecedent is followed by a plural pronoun (or vice versa).

Example: "A student should complete their assignment on time." (Incorrect: "student" is singular, "their" is plural)

Corrections:

• "A student should complete his or her assignment on time." (More formal)
• "Students should complete their assignments on time." (Changes the antecedent to plural)
• "Each student should complete his or her assignment on time." (For emphasis on individual students)

2. Shifts in Person

This type of shift involves inconsistent use of first, second, and third person pronouns.

Example: "You should study hard so one can achieve their goals." (Incorrect: It shifts from second person ("you") to third person ("one," "their"))

Corrections:

• "You should study hard so you can achieve your goals." (Consistent second person)
• "A person should study hard so he or she can achieve his or her goals." (Consistent third person)

3. Shifts with Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, anybody, someone, no one, each are grammatically singular, even though they might seem plural in meaning. Using plural pronouns with these is a common pronoun shift.

Example: "Everyone should bring their own lunch." (Incorrect: "Everyone" is singular, "their" is plural)

Corrections:

• "Everyone should bring his or her own lunch." (More formal)
• "All people should bring their own lunches." (Changes the indefinite pronoun)

4. Shifts with Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be either singular or plural depending on the context. Incorrect pronoun usage can lead to a shift.

Example: "The team celebrated their victory." (Incorrect: The team acts as a single unit, requiring a singular pronoun in many cases)

Corrections:

• "The team celebrated its victory." (Treats the team as a single unit)
• "The team members celebrated their victory." (Focuses on individual members)

Practical Exercises: Identifying Pronoun Shifts

Let's test your understanding with some practice sentences. Identify which sentences contain pronoun shifts and explain why:

1. If a person wants to succeed, you must work hard.
2. The committee presented their findings to the board.
3. Everyone needs to bring their own materials.
4. A dog loves its owner unconditionally; they are best friends.
5. When a child learns to ride a bike, they should wear a helmet.
6. The company announced their new product line.
7. Each candidate should submit their application by Friday.
8. The flock of birds flew south for the winter; they were searching for warmer climates.
9. If someone wants to travel, they need a passport.
10. No one is expected to complete their work before the deadline, but it’s advisable to start early.

Answers and Explanations: (Please note these are available in the next section to avoid accidental spoiling for the reader)

Answers and Explanations to Practice Exercises

1. Pronoun Shift: This sentence shifts from third-person singular ("a person") to second-person ("you"). The correction would be "If a person wants to succeed, he or she must work hard." or "If you want to succeed, you must work hard."

2. Pronoun Shift (Potentially): This depends on whether you consider the committee as a single entity or a group of individuals. If as a single entity: "The committee presented its findings to the board." If the focus is on the individual members: The sentence is correct.

3. Pronoun Shift: "Everyone" is singular; "their" is plural. Correction: "Everyone needs to bring his or her own materials." or "All people need to bring their own materials."

4. Pronoun Shift: "Dog" is singular; "they" is plural. Correction: "A dog loves its owner unconditionally; it is best friends with the owner."

5. Pronoun Shift: "Child" is singular; "they" is plural. Correction: "When a child learns to ride a bike, he or she should wear a helmet." or "When children learn to ride bikes, they should wear helmets."

6. Pronoun Shift (Potentially): Similar to #2, this depends on context. If "company" refers to the corporation as a whole, "its" is appropriate. If referring to the employees as a group, then it's correct.

7. Pronoun Shift: "Each candidate" is singular; "their" is plural. Correction: "Each candidate should submit his or her application by Friday." or "All candidates should submit their applications."

8. Correct: The pronoun "they" correctly refers to the plural antecedent "flock of birds."

9. Pronoun Shift: "Someone" is singular; "they" is plural. Correction: "If someone wants to travel, he or she needs a passport."

10. Pronoun Shift: "No one" is singular; "their" is plural. Correction: "No one is expected to complete his or her work before the deadline, but it’s advisable to start early." or "People are not expected to complete their work...".

Conclusion: Mastering Pronoun Agreement for Clear Writing

Mastering pronoun-antecedent agreement and avoiding pronoun shifts is essential for clear, concise, and effective writing. By carefully reviewing your work and following the guidelines presented here, you can significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Remember to always ensure your pronouns agree with their antecedents in both number and person, avoiding ambiguity and ensuring your message is easily understood by your readers. Consistent practice will help you develop this crucial writing skill.