Which of the following describes shifts in writing?

1. the relationship between the subject of the sentence and the verb

2. the verb form that shows the manner in which the verb expresses an idea in a sentence

3. unnecessary changes in the form of the verbs within a sentence

4. changes in the person who is doing the action in a sentence

4. changes in the person who is doing the action in a sentence

The correct answer is:

4. changes in the person who is doing the action in a sentence.

Shifts in writing occur when there is an inconsistent or unnecessary change in the person who is performing the action in a sentence. This can create confusion for the reader and disrupt the flow of the writing. It is important to maintain consistency in verb tense and subject-verb agreement throughout a piece of writing.

To determine which of the options describes shifts in writing, let's break down each option:

1. This option refers to subject-verb agreement, which is not specifically related to shifts in writing.

2. This option describes the manner in which a verb expresses an idea, but it does not directly address shifts in writing.

3. This option refers to unnecessary changes in verb forms within a sentence. While this could be related to shifts in writing, it does not completely capture the concept.

4. This option is closer to the concept of shifts in writing. Shifts in writing occur when the person who is doing the action changes within a sentence, leading to inconsistency or confusion for the reader.

Therefore, option 4, "changes in the person who is doing the action in a sentence," best describes shifts in writing.