Identifying Errors: Recognizing Pronoun Shifts In Sentences Quiz

1. What is a pronoun shift in a sentence?

Using the same pronoun over and over.

Changing from one pronoun to another in a way that confuses who is being talked about.

Using any pronoun in a sentence.

Leaving out all pronouns in a sentence.

A pronoun shift happens when the writer suddenly changes pronouns so the reader is not sure who is meant.

Explanation

A pronoun shift happens when the writer suddenly changes pronouns so the reader is not sure who is meant.

2. Which sentence has an incorrect pronoun shift?

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

When kids play outside, they should stay safe.

If a player wants to win, you must practice every day.

When a person is tired, they should rest.

The sentence starts with a player (third person) but switches to you (second person) for the same person.

Explanation

The sentence starts with a player (third person) but switches to you (second person) for the same person.

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

If a student wants to succeed, you must study.

If students want to succeed, you must study.

If a student wants to succeed, they must study.

If a student wants to succeed, we must study.

Student is singular and general, and they is a clear, consistent pronoun for that same student.

Explanation

Student is singular and general, and they is a clear, consistent pronoun for that same student.

4. The sentence "If a person is kind, you will have many friends" has a pronoun shift.

True

False

It switches from a person (third person) to you (second person) while talking about the same subject.

Explanation

It switches from a person (third person) to you (second person) while talking about the same subject.

5. In modern English, it is acceptable to use they as a singular pronoun for a general person, like "If a student is ready, they should begin."

True

False

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

Explanation

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

6. Which sentences keep their pronouns consistent?

If a scientist works hard, they can make new discoveries.

If a scientist works hard, you can make new discoveries.

When a reader enjoys a book, they want to keep turning the pages.

When readers enjoy a book, he wants to keep turning the pages.

When readers enjoy a book, they want to keep turning the pages.

A, C, and E use pronouns that match the person and number of their subjects.

Explanation

A, C, and E use pronouns that match the person and number of their subjects.

Submit

7. Which sentences contain incorrect pronoun shifts?

If a child wants to join the team, they must sign up.

If children want to join the team, they must sign up.

If a child wants to join the team, you must sign up.

If a child wants to join the team, he or she must sign up.

If a child wants to join the team, that is when they must sign up.

C switches from a child to you, and E adds that in a way that makes the pronoun use unclear.

Explanation

C switches from a child to you, and E adds that in a way that makes the pronoun use unclear.

Submit

8. Fix the pronoun: If a student needs help, __________ should ask the teacher.

They matches the general singular noun student and keeps the sentence consistent.

Explanation

They matches the general singular noun student and keeps the sentence consistent.

Submit

9. Fix the pronoun: Each player must wear __________ uniform during the game.

Their works as a singular they form for the general noun each player.

Explanation

Their works as a singular they form for the general noun each player.

Submit

10. Which pronoun does NOT match the underlined subject in number? Subject: The students

They

Their

He

Them

Students is plural, but he is singular and does not match the plural subject.

Explanation

Students is plural, but he is singular and does not match the plural subject.

11. Which sentence correctly avoids a shift from third person to second person?

When a person is nervous, you might fidget.

When a person is nervous, they might fidget.

When a person is nervous, we might fidget.

When a person is nervous, I might fidget.

Person and they stay in third person and refer to the same general person.

Explanation

Person and they stay in third person and refer to the same general person.

12. The sentence "When I am angry, you feel like shouting" is a clear, consistent use of pronouns.

True

False

The sentence shifts from I to you even though it is still talking about the same person.

Explanation

The sentence shifts from I to you even though it is still talking about the same person.

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

If a gamer wants to win, he must practice.

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 a gamer wants to win, we must practice.

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

Explanation

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

Submit

14. Which sentences have pronouns that agree in number with their subjects?

If a writer wants to improve, they should read more.

If writers want to improve, he should read more.

If writers want to improve, they should read more.

If a writer wants to improve, you should read more.

If writers want to improve, it should read more.

A and C match writer with they and writers with they, keeping number consistent.

Explanation

A and C match writer with they and writers with they, keeping number consistent.

Submit

15. Fix the pronoun: If a team works together, __________ can reach their goals.

They matches the plural noun team as a group in this general sentence.

Explanation

They matches the plural noun team as a group in this general sentence.

Submit

16. Which line of dialogue contains an incorrect pronoun shift?

"When a person gets nervous, they might talk fast," she said.

"When a person gets nervous, you might talk fast," she said.

"When we get nervous, we might talk fast," she said.

"When someone gets nervous, they might talk fast," she said.

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

Explanation

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

17. Which sentence shows a pronoun shift that should be corrected?

When a reader enjoys a story, they feel connected to the characters.

When a reader enjoys a story, he or she feels connected to the characters.

When readers enjoy a story, they feel connected to the characters.

When a reader enjoys a story, you feel connected to the characters.

D shifts from a reader (third person) to you (second person) while describing the same person.

Explanation

D shifts from a reader (third person) to you (second person) while describing the same person.

18. Fixing pronoun shifts makes writing clearer and easier for readers to follow.

True

False

Clear, consistent pronouns help readers know exactly who is being talked about.

Explanation

Clear, consistent pronouns help readers know exactly who is being talked about.

19. Fix the pronoun: If someone loses their place while reading, __________ can go back to the last sentence they remember.

They refers back to someone and keeps the sentence consistent.

Explanation

They refers back to someone and keeps the sentence consistent.

Submit

20. What should you check first to avoid pronoun shifts in your writing?

That every sentence starts with a pronoun.

That all pronouns are in the first person.

That each pronoun clearly matches its noun in person and number.

That you use as many different pronouns as possible.

Good writers make sure each pronoun matches the person (I, you, he, she, they) and number of its noun.

Explanation

Good writers make sure each pronoun matches the person (I, you, he, she, they) and number of its noun.

Identifying Errors: Recognizing Pronoun Shifts in Sentences Quiz