Quick help: Shifts

Need help recognizing shifts in your writing? For more help, follow the links.

Incorrect example sentence: My first meeting with Eric, an 11th grader, took place during his library skills period. One noticed immediately that Eric displayed a sense of responsibility for his academic achievement that was belied by his grades. Correct example sentence: My first meeting with Eric, an 11th grader, took place during his library skills period. I noticed immediately that Eric displayed a sense of responsibility for his academic achievement that was belied by his grades.

Avoid shifts from first person to third person.

Incorrect example sentence: Users need a password and a credit card number to access this database. You will be billed at an hourly rate. Correct example sentence: You need a password and a credit card number to access this database. You will be billed at an hourly rate. Correct example sentence: Users need a password and a credit card number to access this database. They will be billed at an hourly rate.

Get help using pronouns consistently.

Incorrect example sentence: A police officer is often criticized for always being there when they aren't needed and never being there when they are. Correct example sentence: Police officers are often criticized for always being there when they aren't needed and never being there when they are.

Get help avoiding shifts from singular to plural.

Incorrect example sentence: There was no way I could fight the current. Just as I was losing hope, a stranger jumps off a passing boat and swims toward me. Correct example sentence: There was no way I could fight the current. Just as I was losing hope, a stranger jumped off a passing boat and swam toward me.

Get help avoiding shifts in verb tense.

Incorrect example sentence: The officers advised us not to allow anyone into our homes without proper identification. Also, alert neighbors to our vacation schedules. Correct example sentence: The officers advised us not to allow anyone into our homes without proper identification. They also suggested that we alert neighbors to our vacation schedules.

Get help avoiding shifts in verb mood.

Get help avoiding shifts from active to passive voice.

Incorrect example sentence: I wonder whether Karla knew of the theft and, if so, did she report it to the police? Correct example sentence: I wonder whether Karla knew of the theft and, if so, whether she reported it to the police.

Get help avoiding shifts from indirect to direct question.

Exercises:

Shifts: person and number

Shifts: tense

Shifts: mood and voice, questions and quotations 1

Shifts: mood and voice, questions and quotations 2

All shifts 1

All shifts 2

Editing for shifts