Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person
Key Notes :
📝 Correcting Inappropriate Shifts in Pronoun Number and Person
| What is a Pronoun? |
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun.
- Examples: he, she, it, they, we, I, you 🧑🤝🧑
| Types of Pronoun Shifts |
🔹 a) Number Shift
This happens when the singular and plural pronouns don’t match the nouns they refer to.
Example ❌:
- Every student must bring their notebook.
(Here, “Every student” is singular, but “their” is plural)
Correct ✅:
- Every student must bring his or her notebook.
🔹 b) Person Shift
This happens when the pronoun changes person (I, you, he/she, we, they) unexpectedly in a sentence.
Example ❌:
- If a person wants to succeed, you must work hard.
(“a person” is third person, but “you” is second person)
Correct ✅:
- If a person wants to succeed, he or she must work hard.
| How to Avoid Pronoun Shifts |
🔹 Check the number – singular nouns → singular pronouns, plural nouns → plural pronouns.
- The team celebrated its victory. ⚽
- The players celebrated their victory. 🏀
🔹 Check the person – keep pronouns consistent in first (I/we), second (you), third (he/she/they) person.
- ❌ I love reading, and you enjoy it too.
- ✅ I love reading, and I enjoy it too.
🔹 Use “he or she” or “they” carefully for singular nouns when unsure of gender.
- Every student should submit his or her homework. 🏫
🔹 Reread sentences to make sure pronouns match the noun they replace. 👀
| Fun Tips 🌈 |
- ✅ Singular → Singular Pronouns: he, she, it, his, her
- ✅ Plural → Plural Pronouns: they, their, them
- ✅ Keep the same person throughout a sentence!
| Quick Practice 🏆 |
Correct the pronoun:
- Each boy must wash their hands.
- If someone calls, tell me you will help them.
- We should always do your best.
Answers:
- Each boy must wash his hands.
- If someone calls, tell me he or she will help.
- We should always do our best.
✨ Remember: Pronouns are like little team players 🏀⚽ – they must match the noun and stay consistent in person!
Let’s practice!✒️
