Pronoun Changes Challenge Quiz

1. What is a pronoun shift in a sentence or paragraph?

Using the same pronoun many times in a row.

Changing pronouns in a way that confuses who is being talked about.

Using only third-person pronouns in writing.

Leaving out all pronouns in a sentence.

A pronoun shift happens when a writer suddenly switches pronouns so the reader is not sure who the sentence is about.

Explanation

A pronoun shift happens when a writer suddenly switches pronouns so the reader is not sure who the sentence is about.

2. Which sentence has an incorrect pronoun shift?

If a student studies hard, they can improve their grades.

When a reader enjoys a story, they feel excited.

If a person wants to be healthy, you should exercise.

When players work together, they can win.

The sentence starts with a person (third person) and then shifts to you (second person) while talking about the same person.

Explanation

The sentence starts with a person (third person) and then shifts to you (second person) while talking about the same person.

3. Choose the best correction for this sentence: If a student wants to succeed, you must study.

If a student wants to succeed, you must study.

If a student wants to succeed, they must study.

If students wants to succeed, they must study.

If a student wanting to succeed, they must study.

Student is a general singular noun, and they is a clear, consistent pronoun for the same person.

Explanation

Student is a general singular noun, and they is a clear, consistent pronoun for the same person.

4. The sentence "When a person is nervous, you might feel shaky" contains a pronoun shift.

True

False

It moves from a person (third person) to you (second person), which is an inconsistent shift.

Explanation

It moves from a person (third person) to you (second person), which is an inconsistent shift.

5. Using they as a singular pronoun for a general person, like "If a student is ready, they should begin," is acceptable in modern English.

True

False

Singular they is widely used to refer to a person when gender is unknown or general.

Explanation

Singular they is widely used to refer to a person when gender is unknown or general.

6. Which sentences keep their pronouns consistent and clear?

If a gamer wants to win, they must practice.

If a gamer wants to win, you must practice.

When readers like a book, they read late into the night.

When a reader likes a book, you read late into the night.

If a writer wants to improve, they should write often.

A, C, and E match the person and number of their subjects without switching to you.

Explanation

A, C, and E match the person and number of their subjects without switching to you.

Submit

7. Which sentences have unclear or incorrect pronoun use?

When a teacher explains clearly, students understand what they mean.

When a player misses the shot, they might feel upset.

When a student finishes the test, you should turn it in.

When students finish the test, he should turn it in.

When students finish the test, they should turn it in.

C shifts from a student to you, and D shifts from plural students to singular he.

Explanation

C shifts from a student to you, and D shifts from plural students to singular he.

Submit

8. Fix the pronoun: If a person wants to learn more, __________ should ask questions.

They matches the general noun person and keeps the sentence in third person.

Explanation

They matches the general noun person and keeps the sentence in third person.

Submit

9. Fix the pronoun: If students work together, __________ can finish the project faster.

They matches the plural noun students and keeps the number consistent.

Explanation

They matches the plural noun students and keeps the number consistent.

Submit

10. Direct: "I am tired," Ben said. Which reported sentence correctly changes the pronoun and tense?

Ben said that I was tired.

Ben said that he was tired.

Ben said that they was tired.

Ben said that he is tired.

I becomes he to match Ben, and am becomes was in indirect speech.

Explanation

I becomes he to match Ben, and am becomes was in indirect speech.

11. Direct: "You should study," Mom told me. Which reported sentence is correct?

Mom told me that you should study.

Mom told me that I should study.

Mom told me that they should study.

Mom told me that we should study.

You in Mom’s words refers to me, so it changes to I in indirect speech.

Explanation

You in Mom’s words refers to me, so it changes to I in indirect speech.

12. In reported speech, the pronoun I often changes to he or she when someone else reports what was said.

True

False

We switch from the speaker’s first-person view to the reporter’s third-person view.

Explanation

We switch from the speaker’s first-person view to the reporter’s third-person view.

13. Which pairs show correct pronoun changes from direct to indirect speech?

Direct: "I lost my book," Anna said. Indirect: Anna said that she had lost her book.

Direct: "I lost my book," Anna said. Indirect: Anna said that I had lost my book.

Direct: "We are late," they said. Indirect: They said that they were late.

Direct: "We are late," they said. Indirect: They said that we were late.

Direct: "I can help you," he said to us. Indirect: He said that he could help us.

A, C, and E keep the pronouns matched to who spoke and who was spoken to.

Explanation

A, C, and E keep the pronouns matched to who spoke and who was spoken to.

Submit

15. Which sentence fixes the pronoun errors correctly?

Her and me are going to the park.

She and me are going to the park.

Her and I are going to the park.

She and I are going to the park.

She and I are both subject pronouns used correctly as the subject of the sentence.

Explanation

She and I are both subject pronouns used correctly as the subject of the sentence.

16. Which narrative sentence has a pronoun shift that should be corrected?

When a reader likes a character, they care about what happens next.

When readers like a character, they care about what happens next.

When a reader likes a character, you care about what happens next.

When readers like a character, they sometimes read all night.

It shifts from a reader (third person) to you (second person) for the same person.

Explanation

It shifts from a reader (third person) to you (second person) for the same person.

17. Good writers make sure every pronoun clearly refers to a specific noun or person in the sentence.

True

False

Clear pronoun reference keeps the reader from being confused about who is being discussed.

Explanation

Clear pronoun reference keeps the reader from being confused about who is being discussed.

18. Sentence: "If a gamer wants to win, you must practice." Which rewrites fix the pronoun shift?

If a gamer wants to win, they must practice.

If gamers want to win, they must practice.

If a gamer wants to win, you must practice.

If gamers wants to win, you must practice.

If a gamer wants to win, he or she must practice.

A, B, and E keep the pronouns matched to gamer or gamers without switching to you.

Explanation

A, B, and E keep the pronouns matched to gamer or gamers without switching to you.

Submit

19. To avoid pronoun mistakes, make sure each pronoun matches its noun in both person and __________.

Pronouns must agree with their nouns in whether they are singular or plural.

Explanation

Pronouns must agree with their nouns in whether they are singular or plural.

Submit

20. When you edit your writing for pronoun changes, what is the best first step?

Underline every adjective in the paragraph.

Remove all first-person pronouns.

Change all pronouns to they.

Checking each pronoun against its noun helps you find and fix unclear or incorrect shifts.

Explanation

Checking each pronoun against its noun helps you find and fix unclear or incorrect shifts.

Comprehensive Practice: Pronoun Changes Challenge Quiz