PRONOUNSELACC6L1c: Recognize and correct pronoun

shifts in number and person.

Pronoun Shifts in Person

First Person Second Person Third Person- I - you

- he, she, it- me - your, yours

- him, her- my, mine - yourself, yourselves

- his, hers, its- myself

- himself, herself, itself- we, us

- they, them- our, ours

- their, theirs- ourselvesI

- themselves

emy, minemyselfweusour, oursourselves

Pronoun Shifts in Person

RULE: Don't mix pronoun persons.

Samantha refuses to try mountain climbing because I can get stuck in a blizzard and freeze to death.

This sentence is incorrect.

What is wrong with the underlined pronoun "I"?

Samantha refuses to try mountain climbing becauseshe can get stuck in a blizzard and freeze to death.

The antecedent has to match the pronoun.Samantha = she

Remember, second person pronouns must refer to the reader.

Example: You must study to do well on your test.You = Your

Pronoun Shifts in Number

Singular pronouns should refer to singular antecedents and plural pronouns to plural antecedents.

When the pronoun and antecedent do not match in number, a pronoun shift in number occurs, as in the following example:

So, what should the pronoun be?

A baseball player leads an exciting life because he gets to travel to many interesting cities.

A baseball player = he

A baseball player leads an exciting life because they get to travel to many interesting cities.

This sentence is incorrect because the pronoun they does NOT match the antecedent a baseball player.

1. We were starving but decided to make the long drive home because the choices at the food court would have

poisoned you.How should the pronoun you be changed?A. usB. herC. themD. no change necessary

2. Today, you can buy fried chicken in minutes. However, in the 1800's, a woman had to kill, pluck, and cook the chicken herself in order to serve chicken for dinner.How should the pronoun you be changed?A. sheB. a womanC. ourselvesD. no change necessary

3. When a student has forgotten your homework, he or she should work harder to remember it the next time.

How should the pronoun your be changed?A. himB. my or mineC. his or herD. no change necessary

4. Athletes need to stay hydrated. They can choose plain water from a fountain, or they might prefer a drink that adds

electrolytes so that their performance is optimal. How should the pronoun their be changed?A. youB. herC. hisD. no change necessary

5. Tom refuses to buy books until after the semester has begun. The texts that professors require on the syllabus are

often not necessary for your success in the class. How should the pronoun your be changed?A. youB. herC. hisD. no change necessary

6. I refuse to drive on the interstate during busy times of the day. Too many drivers are careless about how their driving

affects us. How should the pronoun us be changed?A. youB. meC. myD. no change necessary

7. If you are daring, try this bacon-maple ice cream sundae that I made. The combination of salty and sweet might appeal to him or

her.How should the pronoun him or her be changed?A. youB. heC. sheD. no change necessary

8. Professional race car drivers listen closely to their engines. He can anticipate how well the car is driving by listening for

the sounds that other drivers might miss.How should the pronoun he be changed?A. theyB. himC. hisD. no change necessary

GO DAWGS!!