Shifting Perspectives

Shifting Perspectives

Understanding changes in person, number, and verb tense

Understanding Person, Number, and Verb Tense

• Person: Refers to the speaker (1st person), the person being spoken to (2nd person), or the person/thing being spoken about (3rd person).

• Number: Indicates whether a verb is singular or plural.

• Verb Tense: Describes the time of an action or state of being (past, present, future).

Person in Grammar

• Person distinguishes the speaker/writer (first person: I, we), the person spoken to (second person: you), and the person/thing spoken about (third person: he, she, it, they).

Shift in Person Example:

• SHIFT: If a student studies effectively, you will get good grades.

• CORRECT: If you study effectively, you will get good grades.

Number in Grammar

• Number distinguishes between singular and plural. Pronouns must agree in number with their antecedents, and related nouns within a sentence should agree.

Shift in Number Example:

• SHIFT: When a homeowner does not shovel the snow in front of their house, they risk getting fined.

• CORRECT: When homeowners do not shovel the snow in front of their houses, they risk getting fined.

Verb Tense in Grammar

• Verb Tense: maintain consistency in verb tense throughout a sentence unless a shift is required for clarity.

  Required Shift Example:

  • REQUIRED SHIFT: After my cousin arrives, we will go to the movies.

  • INCORRECT: After Marguerite bought the health food store, she seems more confident.

  • CORRECT: After Marguerite bought the health food store, she seemed more confident.

  • INCORRECT: Pamela heard the clock strike twelve, and then she goes for a midday walk.

  • CORRECT: Pamela heard the clock strike twelve, and then she went for a midday walk.