ShiftsShifts

Person, Number, Tense

Definition of ShiftDefinition of Shift

A shift occurs whenever you move from one form in a sentence to another.

ANALOGY: Shifts are like sudden swerves from one lane to another while driving. They can cause confusion.

Parallel Construction vs. Shifts

Parallel Construction vs. Shifts

• Parallel Construction: Parts of the sentence need to follow the same pattern Only sentences w/ series or pairs of words

• Shifts: Parts of the sentence need to use the same types of words All types of sentences

Parallelism vs. Shifts AnalogyParallelism vs. Shifts Analogy

The lanes of the sentence “highway” need to be parallel (run parallel to each other following same pattern)

AND

They need to have the same “format” (size of lane, pavement, painting, etc.)

Types of ShiftsTypes of Shifts

Always avoid distracting shifts in:personnumbertensemoodvoicediscourse (type of writing)

REMEMBER…REMEMBER…

We want to AVOID and CORRECT shifts in our writing.

Shifts=Bad

1) Shifts in Person1) Shifts in Person

• Person=point of view in writing• FIRST PERSON=the writer’s point of view (using

“I” or “we”)• SECOND PERSON=writer speaks directly to

reader (uses “you”) NEVER USE SECOND PERSON IN FORMAL WRITING

• THIRD PERSON=writer talks about the subject separate from him/herself (using “they”, “s/he”, “it”)

Shifts in PersonShifts in Person

RULE: You SHOULD keep your writing in the same point of view throughout the entire piece• EXAMPLE: If in FIRST PERSON (using “I” or “we”)--

use consistently throughout essay

• A shift in person occurs when a writer changes from one form (1st, 2nd or 3rd person) to another.

• Usually identify shifts in person by looking at the pronouns.

Example of shift in personExample of shift in person

One week our class met in a junkyard to practice rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked car. We learned to dismantle the car with the essential tools. You were graded on your speed and your skill in extricating the victim.

PROBLEM: Begins with “we”, ends with “you”.

Example of shift in personExample of shift in person

CORRECTED VERSION:

One week our class met in a junkyard to practice rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked car. We learned to dismantle the car with the essential tools. We were graded on our speed and our skill in extricating the victim.

2) Shifts in Number2) Shifts in Number

• Number=number of items/people talking about in a sentence Singular=one Plural=more than one

NOTE: Even first person has plural (we)

2) Shifts in Number2) Shifts in Number

• RULE:

• You need to keep the number of people/objects you are discussing the same throughout the paragraph/paper.

• Start singular…stay singular• Start plural…stay plural.

• A shift in number occurs when a writer changes from singular or plural to the opposite in the same paragraph/paper. Ex. Start out singular…switch to plural

Example of shift in numberExample of shift in number

A police officer is often criticized for always being there when they aren’t needed and never being there when they are.

PROBLEM: Police officer is SINGULAR. They is PLURAL. Not the right pronoun to replace antecedent.

Example of shift in numberExample of shift in number

CORRECTED VERSION:Police officers are often criticized for always

being there when they aren’t needed and never being there when they are.

ORA police officer is often criticized for always being

there when s/he isn’t needed and never being there when s/he is.

3) Shifts in Verb Tense3) Shifts in Verb Tense

• Verb tense=time period action is happening in Present=NOW Past=ALREADY HAPPENED Future=WILL HAPPEN

3) Shifts in Verb Tense3) Shifts in Verb Tense

RULE:

Always keep your sentences/essays in either PRESENT, PAST or FUTURE tense. Be consistent throughout the entire piece.

• Shifts in verb tense occur when a writer switches verb tense within an essay.

• Identify shits in verb tense by examining verbs.

Example of shift in verb tenseExample of shift in verb tense

There was no way I could fight the current and win. Just as I was losing hope, a stranger jumps off a passing boat and swims toward me.

PROBLEM: “Was losing” is in past tense, but “jumps” and “swims” are in present tense.

Example of shift in verb tenseExample of shift in verb tense

CORRECTED VERSION:

There was no way I could fight the current and win. Just as I was losing hope, a stranger jumped off a passing boat and swam toward me.