Grammar Goody--the second person

I'm sure you've heard this one before, but it seems we all need reminding. This is one of those cases that contradicts my assertion that we should write the way we talk. Actually, we should write the way we talk when we think we're being recorded for posterity--in other words, on our best behavior!

Anyway, here's something that's perfectly acceptable in informal spoken English but should be avoided at all cost in written English--the use of the second person. The first person is "I" and "me," the second person is "you" (or for my Southern friends, "y'all," and the third person is "they" and "them."

So, here's what I'm arguing against:

When you remember that Reagan was an actor, you understand why he was such a good communicator.

That's grammatically correct but frowned upon as a use of the no-no second person. So, how can you write this instead? How about:

When we remember that Reagan was an actor, we can see why he was such a good communicator. 

Or, even better:

Reagan's training as an actor explains why he was such a good communicator. 


It's always a good idea to write in the third person only, unless you are specifically instructed that first person is also acceptable. But never use the second person. YOU got it?