Short Answer 
The process for addressing pronoun shifts involves three steps: identifying the pronoun shift and its corresponding antecedents, selecting the correct form of the pronoun based on number and gender, and then revising the sentence for clarity with the corrected pronoun usage. This ensures the pronouns appropriately match their antecedents to avoid confusion.
Step 1: Identify the Pronoun Shift
The first step in addressing the issue of pronoun shifts is to recognize where they occur in the sentence. A pronoun shift can confuse the reader when the pronouns do not agree with their corresponding antecedents. In this case, look for pronouns that mismatch in number or gender, leading to ambiguity.
Step 2: Choose the Correct Pronoun Form
Once you identify the pronoun shift, the next step is to select the appropriate pronoun form. This means ensuring that the pronoun matches its antecedent in both number (singular or plural) and gender (male or female). For example, using ‘he or she’ for a singular noun such as ‘student’ keeps the pronoun consistent.
Step 3: Revise the Sentence for Clarity
The final step is to revise the sentence by implementing the correct pronoun and structure. You can choose to maintain a singular pronoun with a singular antecedent or switch to a plural form if it fits the context. Examples to consider are:
- ‘If a student wishes to go on the field trip, he or she must bring in a permission slip.’
- ‘If students wish to go on the field trip, they must bring in their permission slips.’