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This presentation is brought to you by Grammar Bytes!, © 2021 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 withcareat atthe theexpensive A restaurant because youdidn’t we don’twantthe theshame B of not having enough money to pay our bill. C A. B. C. D. You should order we didn’t your bill No change is necessary. You Is don’t we is a ordered , you shift in person, don’t which, option or our. Ba problem? corrects.
Don’t Mix Pronoun Persons. Shawna refuses to try mountain climbing because she you can get stuck in a blizzard and freeze to death. If you were the one who froze, I’d be okay with mountain climbing! Grizzly!
Pronoun Persons First Person § I § me § my, mine § myself § we § us § our, ours § ourselves Second Person § your, yours § yourself, yourselves Know your persons! Third Person § he, she, it § him, her § his, hers, its § himself, herself, itself § they § them § their, theirs § themselves
Second-person pronouns must refer to the reader. You must study to to do do well on on yourtest. You must Preparation success. Preparation is is the key to 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. A. us us B. her C. them D. No change is necessary.
Item 2 Today you can buy fried chicken in in minutes at at aa A fast food drive-thru. But in the 1800 s, you a woman had had B B to slaughter, pluck, and cook the bird herselfto to C serve chicken for dinner. A. B. C. D. she a woman ourselves No change is necessary.
Item 3 When a studenthas hasdisappointedaaprofessor, you can always try smiling in class or offering a compliment to get back on the teacher’s good side. A. students have B. I have C. you have D. No change is necessary.
Item 4 Athletes need to stay hydrated. They can choose A plain water from a fountain, but you might they mightpreferaaa BB drink that adds electrolytes so that their C performance is optimal. A. B. C. D. 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. A. my B. our C. his D. No change is necessary.
Item 6 I refuse to to drive on on the interstate at at rush hour. A Too many drivers are whipping in and out of lanes, careless about how their behavior affects you. . me B CC A. B. C. D. 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. A. me B. them C. her D. No changeisisnecessary.
Item 8 You can fix your money problems with aa little A financial discipline. You must pay yourselffirst, B C putting a few dollars into savings before tackling any of the other bills. A. B. C. D. We People themselves No changeisisnecessary.
Item 9 Malcolm and Dwayne are in competition for Yolanda’s love. Buying flowers would win you aa woman’s affection. A. them B. him C. us D. No change is necessary.
Item 10 Professional race car drivers listen closely to their A engines. You can They cananticipateperformance BB variations based on sounds a regulardriverwould C miss. A. B. C. D. your They we No change is necessary.
The End.
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