English Language Arts
Grade 10
15 min
Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person
Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify inappropriate shifts in pronoun number within complex sentences and paragraphs.
Identify inappropriate shifts in pronoun person within formal and informal writing.
Define and differentiate between pronoun number (singular/plural) and pronoun person (first/second/third).
Revise sentences to correct shifts in pronoun number, ensuring clear agreement with antecedents.
Revise sentences to correct shifts in pronoun person, maintaining a consistent point of view.
Analyze passages from world literature to evaluate the author's use of consistent pronoun perspective.
Apply consistent pronoun usage in their own analytical and research-based writing.
Ever read a sentence that felt like the narrator suddenly changed their identity? 🤔 Let's explo...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PronounA word that takes the place of a noun or noun phrase.In 'Maria finished her homework,' the pronoun 'her' replaces 'Maria's'.
AntecedentThe noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to or replaces.In 'The dog wagged its tail,' the antecedent of 'its' is 'dog'.
Pronoun NumberIndicates whether a pronoun is singular (referring to one) or plural (referring to more than one).Singular: he, she, it. Plural: they, we.
Pronoun PersonIndicates the point of view: the speaker (first person), the person spoken to (second person), or the person/thing spoken about (third person).First: I, we. Second: you. Third: he, she, it, they.
Pronoun ShiftAn error in which a writer changes from one pronoun number or person...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Rule of Number Agreement
A pronoun must agree in number (singular or plural) with its antecedent.
If the antecedent is singular, use a singular pronoun. If the antecedent is plural, use a plural pronoun. Pay close attention to singular indefinite pronouns like 'everyone,' 'each,' and 'anybody,' which require singular pronouns like 'he or she'.
The Rule of Person Consistency
Maintain a consistent pronoun person (first, second, or third) throughout a piece of writing unless a shift is logically required.
In formal academic writing, avoid switching between 'I' (first person), 'you' (second person), and 'one' or 'a student' (third person). A consistent point of view creates a stronger, more coher...
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Challenging
A student wrote the following in an essay on 'Things Fall Apart': 'As Okonkwo's life unravels, you can see how his fear of weakness dictates his actions. I believe this fear is his true tragic flaw, and it makes them a compelling character.' Why is the pronoun usage in this passage ineffective for a formal analytical essay?
A.It incorrectly uses 'his' to refer to Okonkwo, which is a singular antecedent.
B.It fails to use a consistent pronoun number, shifting from singular ('his') to plural ('them').
C.It creates an inconsistent and subjective voice by shifting from the objective third person to the informal second person ('you') and subjective first person ('I').
D.It uses the pronoun 'it' without a clear antecedent, making the sentence confusing.
Challenging
Consider the sentence: 'Before a person can write a strong research paper, you need to develop a solid thesis.' While its meaning is clear in conversation, why is this sentence grammatically flawed according to the rules of formal academic writing?
A.It contains an inappropriate shift in person from the third-person antecedent 'a person' to the second-person pronoun 'you'.
B.The antecedent 'a person' is singular, but the pronoun 'you' can be plural, creating a number disagreement.
C.Formal writing requires the use of the first person ('I') to establish the author's credibility.
D.The sentence uses a pronoun, 'you,' without any antecedent at all.
Challenging
Read the following flawed paragraph: 'Every researcher must be objective when they collect data. If you let your biases interfere, the results will be invalid. One's credibility depends on it.' Which of the following revisions best corrects the pronoun errors to create a consistent, formal paragraph?
A.Every researcher must be objective when I collect data. If I let my biases interfere, my results will be invalid. My credibility depends on it.
B.Researchers must be objective when they collect data. If they let their biases interfere, the results will be invalid. Their credibility depends on it.
C.Every researcher must be objective when you collect data. If you let your biases interfere, your results will be invalid. Your credibility depends on it.
D.Every researcher must be objective when he or she collects data. If you let your biases interfere, one's results will be invalid. His or her credibility depends on it.
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