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Writing Workshop - Grammar |
Sentence Skills
PRONOUN POINT OF VIEW
Pronouns should not shift their point
of view unnecessarily. When writing a paper, be consistent in your use of
first-, second-, or third-person pronouns.
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Type of Pronoun |
Singular |
Plural |
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First-person pronouns |
I (my, mine, me) |
we (our, us) |
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Second-person pronouns |
you (your) |
you (your) |
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Third-person pronouns |
he (his, him) |
they (their, them) |
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she (his, him) |
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it (its) |
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Note: Any person, place, or thing, as well
as any indefinite pronoun like one, anyone, someone, and so on,
is a third-person word. |
For instance, if you start writing in the third person
she, don’t jump suddenly to the second person you. Or if you are
writing in the first person I, don’t shift unexpectedly to one.
Look at the examples.
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Inconsistent |
Consistent |
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I enjoy movies like The Return of the Vampire
that frighten you. (The most common mistake people make is to let a
you slip into their writing after they start with another pronoun.)
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I enjoy movies like The Return of the Vampire
that frighten me. |
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As soon as a person walks into Helen’s apartment,
you can tell that Helen owns a cat.
(Again, the you is a shift in point of
view.) |
As soon as a person walks into Helen’s apartment,
he or she can tell that Helen owns a cat.
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Activity
Cross out inconsistent pronouns in the followings
sentences, and write the correct form of the pronoun above each crossed-out
word.
me
Example: My dreams are always the kind that haunt you the next
day.
1.
Whenever we take our children on a trip, you have to remember to bring
snacks, tissues, and
toys.
2.
In our society, we often need a diploma before you are hired for a job.
3.
A worker can take a break only after a relief person comes to take your
place.
4.
If a student organizes his time carefully, you can accomplish a great
deal of work.
5.
Although I know you should watch your cholesterol intake, I can never
resist an ear of corn dripping with melted butter.
Review Test
Underline the correct word in parenthesis.
- As we sat in class waiting for the test results, (you,
we) could feel the tension.
- Hoping to be first in line when (they, the ushers)
opened the doors, we arrived two hours early for the concert.
- If a person really wants to appreciate good coffee,
(he or she, you, they) should drink it black.
- I am hooked on science fiction stories because they
allow (you, me) to escape to other worlds.
- Lois often visits the reading center in school, for
she finds that (they, the tutors) give her helpful instruction.
- Nobody seems to know how to add or subtract without
(his or her, their) pocket calculator anymore.
- Cindy is the kind of woman who will always do (their,
her) best.
- Each of my brothers has had (his, their) apartment
broken into.
- If someone is going to write a composition, (he or
she, you, they) should prepare at least one rough draft.
- I’ve been taking cold medicine, and now (it, the cold)
is better.
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