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Or am I talking about someone else? 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 A restaurant because we didn’t want the shame B of not having enough money to pay our bill. C You should order we didn’t your No change is necessary. We ordered with care at the expensive A restaurant because you don’t want the shame B of not having enough money to pay our bill. C You should order we didn’t your No change is necessary. We ordered with care at the expensive restaurant because you don’t want the shame of not having enough money to pay our bill. You should order we didn’t your bill No change is necessary. You don’t is a shift in person, which option B corrects. Is we ordered, you don’t, or our a problem?

Don’t Mix Pronoun Persons. Shawna refuses to try mountain climbing because you can get stuck in a blizzard and freeze to death. she Grizzly! Bear sound from http://www.brandens.net/snd_list.php?cat=Animals If you were the one who froze, I’d be okay with mountain climbing!

Pronoun Persons First Person I me my, mine myself we us our, ours ourselves Second Person you your, yours yourself, yourselves Third Person he, she, it him, her his, hers, its himself, herself, itself they them their, theirs themselves Know your persons!

Second-person pronouns must refer to the reader. You must study to do well on your test. Preparation is the key to your success. You must study to do well on your test. Preparation is the key to your 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. us her them No change is necessary. We were starving but decided to make the long drive home because the choices at the food court would have poisoned you. us her them No change is necessary. We were starving but decided to make the long drive home because the choices at the food court would have poisoned you. us her them No change is necessary.

Item 2 Today you can buy fried chicken in minutes at a A fast food drive-thru. But in the 1800s, a woman had B to slaughter, pluck, and cook the bird herself to C serve chicken for dinner. she a woman ourselves No change is necessary. Today you can buy fried chicken in minutes at a fast food drive-thru. But in the 1800s, you had to slaughter, pluck, and cook the bird herself to serve chicken for dinner. she a woman ourselves No change is necessary. Today you can buy fried chicken in minutes at a A fast food drive-thru. But in the 1800s, you had B to slaughter, pluck, and cook the bird herself to C serve chicken for dinner. she a woman ourselves No change is necessary.

Item 3 When a student has disappointed a professor, you can always try smiling in class or offering a compliment to get back on the teacher’s good side. students have I have you have No change is necessary. When a student has disappointed a professor, you can always try smiling in class or offering a compliment to get back on the teacher’s good side. students have I have you have No change is necessary. When a student has disappointed a professor, you can always try smiling in class or offering a compliment to get back on the teacher’s good side. students have I have you have No change is necessary.

Item 4 Athletes need to stay hydrated. They can choose A plain water from a fountain, but they might prefer a B drink that adds electrolytes so that their C performance is optimal. You they our No change is necessary. Athletes need to stay hydrated. They can choose plain water from a fountain, but you might prefer a drink that adds electrolytes so that their performance is optimal. You they our No change is necessary. Athletes need to stay hydrated. They can choose A plain water from a fountain, but you might prefer a B drink that adds electrolytes so that their C performance is optimal. You they our 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 success in class. my our his No change is necessary. Fritz refuses to buy books until after the semester has begun. The texts professors require on the syllabus are often not necessary for your success in class. my our his No change is necessary. Fritz refuses to buy books until after the semester has begun. The texts professors require on the syllabus are often not necessary for your success in class. my our his No change is necessary.

Item 6 I refuse to drive on the interstate at rush hour. A Too many drivers are whipping in and out of lanes, careless about how their behavior affects me. B C We should refuse my me No change is necessary. I refuse to drive on the interstate at rush hour. A Too many drivers are whipping in and out of lanes, careless about how their behavior affects you. B C We should refuse my me No change is necessary. I refuse to drive on the interstate at rush hour. Too many drivers are whipping in and out of lanes, careless about how their behavior affects you. We should refuse my me No change is necessary. We should refuse my me No change is 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. me them her No change is necessary. If you are daring, try this bacon-maple ice cream sundae that I made. The combination of salty and sweet might appeal to you. me them her No change is necessary. If you are daring, try this bacon-maple ice cream sundae that I made. The combination of salty and sweet might appeal to you. me them her No change is necessary.

Item 8 You can fix your money problems with a little A financial discipline. You must pay yourself first, B C putting a few dollars into savings before tackling any of the other bills. We People themselves No change is necessary. You can fix your money problems with a little financial discipline. You must pay yourself first, putting a few dollars into savings before tackling any of the other bills. We People themselves No change is necessary. You can fix your money problems with a little A financial discipline. You must pay yourself first, B C putting a few dollars into savings before tackling any of the other bills. We People themselves No change is necessary.

Item 9 Malcolm and Dwayne are in competition for Yolanda’s love. Buying flowers would win you a woman’s affection. them him us No change is necessary. Malcolm and Dwayne are in competition for Yolanda’s love. Buying flowers would win you a woman’s affection. them him us No change is necessary. Malcolm and Dwayne are in competition for Yolanda’s love. Buying flowers would win you a woman’s affection. them him us No change is necessary.

Item 10 Professional race car drivers listen closely to their A engines. They can anticipate performance B variations based on sounds a regular driver would C miss. your They we No change is necessary. Professional race car drivers listen closely to their engines. You can anticipate performance variations based on sounds a regular driver would miss. your They we No change is necessary. Professional race car drivers listen closely to their A engines. You can anticipate performance B variations based on sounds a regular driver would C miss. your They we No change is necessary.

The End.