Can you tell if a piece of writing is in first, second or third person?
First, Second and Third Person
This KS2 English quiz takes a look at first, second and third person. I, you, he, she, we, or they are examples of first, second and third person - which should you choose when writing? And how will you know? There are a few basic rules: diaries and letters are written in the first person; instructions are usually in the second person; and reports are written in the third person. When you write stories, you can choose to write in first or third person. How well can you switch all of these pronouns about?
Practise your skills by trying this English quiz. When you feel confident, try a piece of writing in first person, then in second and finally in third person. To check for errors, it's worth reading them aloud or ask your family or a friend to read them to you!
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1.
She gave herself a big pat on the back. Change this sentence to the first person.
I gave herself a big pat on the back.
I gave her a big pat on the back.
I gave me a big pat on the back.
I gave myself a big pat on the back.
Take especial care with all of the pronouns in the sentence.
2.
When I scraped my elbow on the brick, it began to bleed. Change this sentence to the third person.
When you scraped your elbow on the brick, it began to bleed.
When she scraped her elbow on the brick, it began to bleed.
When she scraped my elbow on the brick, it began to bleed.
When they scraped his elbow on the brick, it began to bleed.
Remember to make sure the pronouns agree - 'they' and 'he' do not agree.
3.
I should open my post. Change this sentence to the second person.
We should open our post.
She should open her post.
You should open your post.
They should open their post.
Imagine there is a second person you are talking to.
4.
I didn't want to tell them that I didn't care for their favourite film. Change this sentence to the third person.
He didn't want to tell them that he didn't care for their favourite film.
She didn't want to tell her that she didn't care for her favourite film.
I didn't want to tell her that I didn't care for her favourite film.
You didn't want to tell them that you didn't care for their favourite film.
The first person 'I' changes to the third person 'he' (or 'she') - but 'them' and 'their' does not change. The film is still 'their' favourite, not 'hers' or 'his'!
5.
Mr. Williams gave us all a star today for our excellent behaviour. Change this sentence to the second person.
Mr. Williams gave us all a star today for your excellent behaviour.
Mr. Williams gave them all a star today for their excellent behaviour.
Mr. Williams gave you all a star today for your excellent behaviour.
Mr. Williams gave you all a star today for our excellent behaviour.
If in doubt, say it out loud and see who you would be talking about.
6.
The dentist told them that they must brush their teeth after every meal. Change this sentence to the first person plural.
The dentist told you that you must brush your teeth after every meal.
The dentist told him that he must brush his teeth after every meal.
The dentist told me that I must brush my teeth after every meal.
The dentist told us that we must brush our teeth after every meal.
If you picked the third answer, make sure you read the question carefully.
7.
She shouldn't spend all her pocket money on sweets. Change this sentence to the second person.
I shouldn't spend all my pocket money on sweets.
You shouldn't spend all your pocket money on sweets.
We shouldn't spend all our pocket money on sweets.
They shouldn't spend all their pocket money on sweets.
Too many sweets are bad for the teeth!
8.
As soon as I wake up, I spend a few minutes remembering my dreams. Change this sentence to the third person.
As soon as he wakes up, he spends a few minutes remembering his dreams.
As soon as you wake up, you spend a few minutes remembering your dreams.
As soon as we wake up, we spend a few minutes remembering our dreams.
As soon as she wake up, she spend a few minutes remembering her dreams.
This sentence is also in the third person: As soon as she wakes up, she spends a few minutes remembering her dreams. Remember that verbs may need to be changed when you change the person.
9.
She had always loved going fishing with her Dad. Change this sentence to the first person.
I had always loved going fishing with her Dad.
I had always loved going fishing with my Dad.
She always loved going fishing with our Dad.
They had always loved going fishing with their Dad.
This sentence is also in first person: We had always loved going fishing with our Dad. 'We' is plural, like 'they', and 'I' is singular, like 'she'.
10.
Ice cream is dripping down your chin. Change this sentence to the first person.
Ice cream is dripping down their chins.
Ice cream is dripping down her chin.
Ice cream is dripping down my chin.
Ice cream is dripping down his chin.
The first person means that you are talking about yourself.
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