Here's a breakdown:
* Pronoun: A word that replaces a noun (e.g., "he," "she," "it," "they," "we," "you").
* Verb: A word that describes an action or state of being.
* Number: Whether a noun or pronoun is singular (one) or plural (more than one).
Example:
* Correct: *She* goes to the store every week.
* Incorrect: *She* go to the store every week.
In the incorrect sentence, the pronoun "she" is singular, but the verb "go" is plural. This creates a verb and pronoun shift.
Common Mistakes:
* Using a singular verb with a plural pronoun: "They is going to the park." (Correct: "They are going to the park.")
* Using a plural verb with a singular pronoun: "He are going to the park." (Correct: "He is going to the park.")
Tips to Avoid Shifts:
* Identify the subject: Make sure you know what noun or pronoun the verb is referring to.
* Check the number: Determine if the subject is singular or plural.
* Choose the correct verb form: Use the correct verb form that agrees with the subject in number.
Example:
* Incorrect: "Each of the students have their own books."
* Correct: "Each of the students has their own books."
In the incorrect sentence, "students" is plural but "have" is plural. The correct sentence uses the singular verb "has" because "each" is singular.
Key Takeaway:
Verbs and pronouns should always agree in number to maintain grammatical correctness.