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©2012 by Robin L.
Simmons.
Pronoun Shift
Do I mean
you, the
reader?
Or am I talking
about
someone
else?
This
presentation
covers
maintaining
consistency
in pronoun
point - of view.
A pronoun shift item on an
objective test might look
like this . . .
Sample Item
We ordered with care at the expensive
We ordered with care at the expensive
A
restaurant
youdidn’t
we
don’twant
want
wantthe
the
theshame
shame
shame
restaurant because
because you
don’t
B
of
of not
not having
having enough
enough money
money to
to pay
pay our
our bill.
bill.
C
A. You should order
You Is
don’t
we is a
A. You should order
B. we didn’t
ordered
shift in person,
, you
B. we didn’t
didn’t
don’t
which, option
or ourBa
C. your bill
problem?
corrects.
C. your
D. No change is necessary.
D. No change is necessary.
Don’t Mix Pronoun
Persons.
Shawna refuses to try mountain climbing
because she
you can get stuck in a blizzard
and freeze to death.
Grizzly!
If you were the
one who froze, I’d
be okay with
mountain
climbing!
Pronoun Persons
First
Person
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Second
Person
■
■
■
Know your
persons!
Third Person
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Second-person pronouns must
refer to the reader.
You
You must
must study
study to
to do
do well
well on
on your
yourtest.
test.
Preparation
Preparation is
is the
the key
key to
to your
your success.
success.
Yes, this
means you,
the reader!
Quick Test
Directions: In the items that follow, choose
the option that corrects an error in the
underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose
“No change is necessary.”
Show me
what you
know.
Item 1
We were starving but decided to make the long
drive home because the choices at the food court
would have poisoned you.
you.
A.
B.
C.
D.
us
us
her
them
No change is necessary.
Item 2
Today you can buy fried chicken in minutes at a
Today you can buy fried chicken in minutes at a
A
fast food drive-thru. But in the 1800s, you
you
a
woman
had had
had
B B
to slaughter, pluck, and cook the bird herself
herselfto
to
C
serve chicken for dinner.
serve chicken for dinner.
A. she
A. she
B. a woman
B. a woman
woman
C. ourselves
C. ourselves
D. No change is necessary.
D. No change is necessary.
Item 3
When a student
studenthas
hasdisappointed
disappointedaaprofessor,
professor,
you can always try smiling in class or offering a
compliment to get back on the teacher’s good
side.
A.
B.
C.
D.
students have
I have
you have
you
have
No change is necessary.
Item 4
Athletes need to stay hydrated. They can choose
Athletes need to stay hydrated. They can choose
A
plain
you might
they
might
mightprefer
prefer
preferaaa
plain water
water from
from a
a fountain,
fountain, but
but you
BB
drink
drink that
that adds
adds electrolytes
electrolytes so
so that
that their
their
C
performance is optimal.
performance is optimal.
A. You
A. You
B. they
B. they
they
C. our
C. our
D. No change is necessary.
D. No change is necessary.
Item 5
Fritz refuses to buy books until after the semester
has begun. The texts professors require on the
syllabus are often not necessary for your
your success
success
in class.
A.
B.
C.
D.
my
our
his
his
No change is necessary.
Item 6
II refuse
to drive
drive on
on the
the interstate
interstate at
at rush
rush hour.
hour.
refuse to
A
Too many drivers are whipping in and out of lanes,
careless about how their
their behavior
behavior affects
affects you.
you.
me.
B
CC
A.
A.
B.
B.
C.
C.
D.
D.
We
We should
should refuse
refuse
my
my
me
me
No
No change
change is
is necessary.
necessary.
Item 7
If you are daring, try this bacon-maple ice cream
sundae that I made. The combination of salty and
sweet might appeal to you.
you.
A.
B.
C.
D.
me
them
her
No change
changeisisnecessary.
necessary.
Item 8
You
can fix
fix your
your money
money problems
problems with
with aa little
little
You can
A
financial discipline. You
You must
must pay
pay yourself
yourselffirst,
first,
B
C
putting
putting a
a few
few dollars
dollars into
into savings
savings before
before tackling
tackling
any
any of
of the
the other
other bills.
bills.
A.
A.
B.
B.
C.
C.
D.
D.
We
We
People
People
themselves
themselves
No
No change
change
changeis
isisnecessary.
necessary.
necessary.
Item 9
Malcolm and Dwayne are in competition for
Yolanda’s love. Buying flowers would win you
you aa
woman’s affection.
A.
B.
C.
D.
them
them
him
us
No change is necessary.
Item 10
Professional race car drivers listen closely to their
Professional race car drivers listen closely to their
A
engines.
You can
They
can
cananticipate
anticipate
anticipateperformance
performance
performance
engines. You
BB
variations
variations based
based on
on sounds
sounds a
a regular
regulardriver
driverwould
would
C
miss.
miss.
A. your
A. your
B. They
B. They
They
C. we
C. we
D. No change is necessary.
D. No change is necessary.
The End.