Personal Pronouns

English (as with many languages) has three levels of personal pronouns:

	Singular	Plural
First Person	I, me, mine	we, us, our
Second Person	you, your	you, your(s)
Third Person	he, she, it, him, her, it, his, her(s), its	they, them, their, theirs

APA does not allow the use of first person plural "we" or "our" (the exception is if there are multiple authors). The broader use of the word "we" (often referred to as the "editorial we" or "royal we") leaves the reader wondering to whom you are referring. Instead, substitute an appropriate noun or clarify to whom you are referring. Here are some examples for a dissertation.


Incorrect: We know the elderly …
Correct: Researchers have found the elderly ...


Incorrect: Drug use is common in our country
Correct: Drug use is common in the United States.


Incorrect: We will contact possible participants by …
Correct: I will contact possible participants by… 


Ever wonder how people get to be a journal editor and what they do? Next week I will interview Dr. Debra Wilson, the editor of the International Journal of Childbirth Education.