Correcting Pronoun Shifts

Singular pronouns should refer to singular antecedents and plural pronouns to plural antecedents. When the pronoun and antecedent do not match in number, a pronoun shift in number occurs, as in the following example:

A baseball player leads an exciting life because they get to travel to many interesting cities.

In this example, the plural pronoun they incorrectly refers to the singular antecedent a baseball player. To revise this sentence and avoid a shift in number, make both references either singular or plural:

A baseball player leads an exciting life because he gets to travel to many interesting cities.
(In this revision, both a baseball player and he are singular. The choice he or she would be better.)

Baseball players lead exciting lives because they get to travel to many interesting cities.
(In this revision, both baseball players and they are plural.)

Pronouns can refer to antecedents that are also pronouns. When a pronoun has another pronoun as its antecedent, the two pronouns must agree in number and in person.

First Person
I, we, me

Second Person
you

Third Person
he, she, they, him, her, them

A shift in person occurs when the pronoun and antecedent are in different persons, as in the following example:

Many new students feel overwhelmed at first. However, they soon learn that with hard work you can make good grades.

In this example, they (third person) is incorrectly the antecedent of you (second person). To revise this sentence and avoid a shift in person, you can change the pronoun, the antecedent, or both:

As a new student, you may feel overwhelmed at first. However, you will soon learn that with hard work you can make good grades.

Many new students feel overwhelmed at first. However, they soon learn that with hard work they can make good grades.

Click the correct item. Some graduating students are unsure about the future. We urge them to meet with their counselors. Some graduating students are unsure about the future. We urge them to meet with your counselor.