diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 4c8be58..fee8412 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@lingdocs/pashto-inflector",
-  "version": "2.3.8",
+  "version": "2.3.9",
   "author": "lingdocs.com",
   "description": "A Pashto inflection and verb conjugation engine, inculding React components for displaying Pashto text, inflections, and conjugations",
   "homepage": "https://verbs.lingdocs.com",
diff --git a/src/components/ep-explorer/EPDisplay.tsx b/src/components/ep-explorer/EPDisplay.tsx
index 351cb6b..c6912ab 100644
--- a/src/components/ep-explorer/EPDisplay.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ep-explorer/EPDisplay.tsx
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 import * as T from "../../types";
 import { renderEP } from "../../lib/phrase-building/render-ep";
 import { compileEP } from "../../lib/phrase-building/compile-ep";
-import AbbreviationFormSelector from "../vp-explorer/AbbreviationFormSelector";
 import Examples from "../Examples";
+import ButtonSelect from "../ButtonSelect";
 
-function EPDisplay({ eps, opts, setForm }: {
+function EPDisplay({ eps, opts, setOmitSubject }: {
     eps: T.EPSelectionState,
     opts: T.TextOptions,
-    setForm: (form: T.FormVersion) => void,
+    setOmitSubject: (value: "true" | "false") => void,
 }) {
     const EP = completeEPSelection(eps);
     if (!EP) {
@@ -22,13 +22,19 @@ function EPDisplay({ eps, opts, setForm }: {
         </div>
     }
     const rendered = renderEP(EP);
-    const result = compileEP(rendered, EP.form);
+    const result = compileEP(rendered);
     return <div className="text-center pt-3">
-        <AbbreviationFormSelector
-            adjustable="king"
-            form={EP.form}
-            onChange={setForm}
-        />
+        <div className="mb-2">
+            <ButtonSelect
+                small
+                value={(eps.omitSubject ? "true" : "false") as "true" | "false"}
+                options={[
+                    { value: "false", label: "Full"},
+                    { value: "true", label: "No Subj."},
+                ]}
+                handleChange={setOmitSubject}
+            />
+        </div>
         {"long" in result.ps ?
             <div>
                 <VariationLayer vs={result.ps.long} opts={opts} />
diff --git a/src/components/ep-explorer/EPExplorer.tsx b/src/components/ep-explorer/EPExplorer.tsx
index d0f37f4..bd22acd 100644
--- a/src/components/ep-explorer/EPExplorer.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ep-explorer/EPExplorer.tsx
@@ -1,17 +1,27 @@
 import * as T from "../../types";
-import useStickyState from "../../lib/useStickyState";
+import useStickyState, { useStickyReducer } from "../../lib/useStickyState";
 import NPPicker from "../np-picker/NPPicker";
 import EquativePicker from "./EquativePicker";
 import EPDisplay from "./EPDisplay";
 import ButtonSelect from "../ButtonSelect";
 import EqCompPicker from "./eq-comp-picker/EqCompPicker";
 import { roleIcon } from "../vp-explorer/VPExplorerExplanationModal";
-import { isUnisexNounEntry } from "../../lib/type-predicates";
-import {
-    personGender,
-    personNumber,
-} from "../../lib/misc-helpers";
 import EqChartsDisplay from "./EqChartsDisplay";
+import epsReducer from "./eps-reducer";
+const blankEps: T.EPSelectionState = {
+    subject: undefined,
+    predicate: {
+        type: "Complement",
+        NP: undefined,
+        Complement: undefined,
+    },
+    equative: {
+        tense: "present",
+        negative: false,
+    },
+    shrunkenPossesive: undefined,
+    omitSubject: false,
+};
 
 // TODO: put the clear button beside the title in the predicate picker?
 
@@ -20,56 +30,7 @@ function EPExplorer(props: {
     entryFeeder: T.EntryFeeder,
 }) {
     const [mode, setMode] = useStickyState<"charts" | "phrases">("charts", "EPExplorerMode");
-    const [eps, setEps] = useStickyState<T.EPSelectionState>({
-        subject: undefined,
-        predicate: {
-            type: "Complement",
-            NP: undefined,
-            Complement: undefined,
-        },
-        equative: {
-            tense: "present",
-            negative: false,
-        },
-        shrunkenPossesive: undefined,
-        form: { removeKing: false, shrinkServant: false },
-    }, "EPSelectionState10");
-    function handlePredicateTypeChange(type: "NP" | "Complement") {
-        setEps(o => ({
-            ...o,
-            predicate: {
-                ...o.predicate,
-                type,
-            },
-        }));
-    }
-    function handleSetSubject(subject: T.NPSelection | undefined) {
-        setEps(old => massageSubjectChange(subject, old));
-    }
-    function setPredicateNP(selection: T.NPSelection | undefined) {
-        setEps(o => massageNPPredicateChange(selection, o))
-    }
-    function setPredicateComp(selection: T.EqCompSelection | undefined) {
-        setEps(o => ({
-            ...o,
-            predicate: {
-                ...o.predicate,
-                Complement: selection
-            },
-        }));
-    }
-    function handleShrinkPossesive(shrunkenPossesive: number | undefined) {
-        setEps(o => ({
-            ...o,
-            shrunkenPossesive,
-        }));
-    }
-    function handleSetForm(form: T.FormVersion) {
-        setEps(o => ({
-            ...o,
-            form,
-        }));
-    }
+    const [eps, adjustEps] = useStickyReducer(epsReducer, blankEps, "EPSelectionState10");
     const king = eps.subject?.type === "pronoun"
         ? "subject"
         : eps.predicate.type === "Complement"
@@ -91,13 +52,13 @@ function EPExplorer(props: {
                 <div className="my-2">
                     <NPPicker
                         shrunkenPossesiveInPhrase={eps.shrunkenPossesive}
-                        handleShrinkPossesive={handleShrinkPossesive}
+                        handleShrinkPossesive={payload => adjustEps({ type: "shrink possesive", payload })}
                         heading={<div className="h5 text-center">Subject {king === "subject" ? roleIcon.king : ""}</div>}
                         entryFeeder={props.entryFeeder}
                         np={eps.subject}
                         counterPart={undefined}
                         role="subject"
-                        onChange={handleSetSubject}
+                        onChange={payload => adjustEps({ type: "set subject", payload })}
                         opts={props.opts}
                     />
                 </div>
@@ -111,21 +72,21 @@ function EPExplorer(props: {
                                 { value: "Complement", label: "Complement" },
                             ]}
                             value={eps.predicate.type}
-                            handleChange={handlePredicateTypeChange}
+                            handleChange={payload => adjustEps({ type: "set predicate type", payload })}
                         />
                     </div>
                     {eps.predicate.type === "NP" ? <NPPicker
                         shrunkenPossesiveInPhrase={eps.shrunkenPossesive}
-                        handleShrinkPossesive={handleShrinkPossesive}
+                        handleShrinkPossesive={payload => adjustEps({ type: "shrink possesive", payload })}
                         entryFeeder={props.entryFeeder}
                         np={eps.predicate.type === "NP" ? eps.predicate.NP : undefined}
                         counterPart={undefined}
                         role="subject"
-                        onChange={setPredicateNP}
+                        onChange={payload => adjustEps({ type: "set predicate NP", payload })}
                         opts={props.opts}
                     /> : <EqCompPicker
                         comp={eps.predicate.type === "Complement" ? eps.predicate.Complement : undefined}
-                        onChange={setPredicateComp}
+                        onChange={payload => adjustEps({ type: "set predicate comp", payload })}
                         opts={props.opts}
                         entryFeeder={props.entryFeeder}
                     />}
@@ -135,7 +96,7 @@ function EPExplorer(props: {
                 <div className="h5 text-center clickable">Equative</div>
                 <EquativePicker
                     equative={eps.equative}
-                    onChange={(equative) => setEps(o => ({ ...o, equative }))}
+                    onChange={payload => adjustEps({ type: "set equative", payload })}
                     hideNegative={mode === "charts"}
                 />
             </div>
@@ -144,95 +105,9 @@ function EPExplorer(props: {
         {mode === "phrases" && <EPDisplay
             opts={props.opts}
             eps={eps}
-            setForm={handleSetForm}
+            setOmitSubject={payload => adjustEps({ type: "set omitSubject", payload })}
         />}
     </div>;
 }
 
 export default EPExplorer;
-
-function massageNPPredicateChange(selection: T.NPSelection | undefined, old: T.EPSelectionState): T.EPSelectionState {
-    if (!selection) {
-        return {
-            ...old,
-            predicate: {
-                ...old.predicate,
-                NP: selection,
-            },
-        };
-    }
-    if (old.subject?.type === "pronoun" && selection.type === "noun" && isUnisexNounEntry(selection.entry)) {
-        const { gender, number } = selection;
-        const pronoun = old.subject.person;
-        const newPronoun = movePersonNumber(movePersonGender(pronoun, gender), number);
-        return {
-            ...old,
-            subject: {
-                ...old.subject,
-                person: newPronoun,
-            },
-            predicate: {
-                ...old.predicate,
-                NP: selection,
-            },
-        };
-    }
-    return {
-        ...old,
-        predicate: {
-            ...old.predicate,
-            NP: selection,
-        },
-    };
-}
-
-function massageSubjectChange(subject: T.NPSelection | undefined, old: T.EPSelectionState): T.EPSelectionState {
-    if (!subject) {
-        return {
-            ...old,
-            subject,
-        };
-    }
-    if (subject.type === "pronoun" && old.predicate.type === "NP" && old.predicate.NP?.type === "noun" && isUnisexNounEntry(old.predicate.NP.entry)) {
-        const predicate = old.predicate.NP;
-        const adjusted = {
-            ...predicate,
-            ...predicate.numberCanChange ? {
-                number: personNumber(subject.person),
-            } : {},
-            ...predicate.genderCanChange ? {
-                gender: personGender(subject.person),
-            } : {},
-        }
-        return {
-            ...old,
-            subject,
-            predicate: {
-                ...old.predicate,
-                NP: adjusted,
-            },
-        };
-    }
-    return {
-        ...old,
-        subject,
-    };
-}
-
-function movePersonGender(p: T.Person, gender: T.Gender): T.Person {
-    const pGender = personGender(p);
-    if (gender === pGender) {
-        return p;
-    }
-    return (gender === "masc") ? (p - 1) : (p + 1);
-}
-
-function movePersonNumber(p: T.Person, number: T.NounNumber): T.Person {
-    const pNumber = personNumber(p);
-    if (pNumber === number) {
-        return p;
-    }
-    return (number === "plural")
-        ? (p + 6)
-        : (p - 6);
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/components/ep-explorer/eps-reducer.ts b/src/components/ep-explorer/eps-reducer.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b522ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/ep-explorer/eps-reducer.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+import * as T from "../../types";
+import {
+    personGender,
+    personNumber,
+} from "../../lib/misc-helpers";
+import { isUnisexNounEntry } from "../../lib/type-predicates";
+
+export type EpsReducerAction = {
+    type: "set predicate type",
+    payload: "NP" | "Complement",
+} | {
+    type: "set subject",
+    payload: T.NPSelection | undefined,
+} | {
+    type: "set predicate NP",
+    payload: T.NPSelection | undefined,
+} | {
+    type: "set predicate comp",
+    payload: T.EqCompSelection | undefined,
+} | {
+    type: "shrink possesive",
+    payload: number | undefined,
+} | {
+    type: "set omitSubject",
+    payload: "true" | "false",
+} | {
+    type: "set equative",
+    payload: T.EquativeSelection,
+};
+
+export default function epsReducer(eps: T.EPSelectionState, action: EpsReducerAction): T.EPSelectionState {
+    if (action.type === "set predicate type") {
+        return {
+            ...eps,
+            predicate: {
+                ...eps.predicate,
+                type: action.payload,
+            },
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set subject") {
+        return massageSubjectChange(action.payload, eps);
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set predicate NP") {
+        return massageNPPredicateChange(action.payload, eps);
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set predicate comp") {
+        return {
+            ...eps,
+            predicate: {
+                ...eps.predicate,
+                Complement: action.payload,
+            },
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "shrink possesive") {
+        return {
+            ...eps,
+            shrunkenPossesive: action.payload,
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set omitSubject") {
+        return {
+            ...eps,
+            omitSubject: action.payload === "true",
+        };
+    }
+    // if (action.type === "set equative") {
+        return {
+            ...eps,
+            equative: action.payload,
+        }
+    // }
+}
+
+function massageSubjectChange(subject: T.NPSelection | undefined, old: T.EPSelectionState): T.EPSelectionState {
+    if (!subject) {
+        return {
+            ...old,
+            subject,
+        };
+    }
+    if (subject.type === "pronoun" && old.predicate.type === "NP" && old.predicate.NP?.type === "noun" && isUnisexNounEntry(old.predicate.NP.entry)) {
+        const predicate = old.predicate.NP;
+        const adjusted = {
+            ...predicate,
+            ...predicate.numberCanChange ? {
+                number: personNumber(subject.person),
+            } : {},
+            ...predicate.genderCanChange ? {
+                gender: personGender(subject.person),
+            } : {},
+        }
+        return {
+            ...old,
+            subject,
+            predicate: {
+                ...old.predicate,
+                NP: adjusted,
+            },
+        };
+    }
+    return {
+        ...old,
+        subject,
+    };
+}
+
+function massageNPPredicateChange(selection: T.NPSelection | undefined, old: T.EPSelectionState): T.EPSelectionState {
+    if (!selection) {
+        return {
+            ...old,
+            predicate: {
+                ...old.predicate,
+                NP: selection,
+            },
+        };
+    }
+    if (old.subject?.type === "pronoun" && selection.type === "noun" && isUnisexNounEntry(selection.entry)) {
+        const { gender, number } = selection;
+        const pronoun = old.subject.person;
+        const newPronoun = movePersonNumber(movePersonGender(pronoun, gender), number);
+        return {
+            ...old,
+            subject: {
+                ...old.subject,
+                person: newPronoun,
+            },
+            predicate: {
+                ...old.predicate,
+                NP: selection,
+            },
+        };
+    }
+    return {
+        ...old,
+        predicate: {
+            ...old.predicate,
+            NP: selection,
+        },
+    };
+}
+
+function movePersonGender(p: T.Person, gender: T.Gender): T.Person {
+    const pGender = personGender(p);
+    if (gender === pGender) {
+        return p;
+    }
+    return (gender === "masc") ? (p - 1) : (p + 1);
+}
+
+function movePersonNumber(p: T.Person, number: T.NounNumber): T.Person {
+    const pNumber = personNumber(p);
+    if (pNumber === number) {
+        return p;
+    }
+    return (number === "plural")
+        ? (p + 6)
+        : (p - 6);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/components/vp-explorer/TensePicker.tsx b/src/components/vp-explorer/TensePicker.tsx
index 6195d75..92d132d 100644
--- a/src/components/vp-explorer/TensePicker.tsx
+++ b/src/components/vp-explorer/TensePicker.tsx
@@ -2,9 +2,11 @@ import Select from "react-select";
 import * as T from "../../types";
 import ButtonSelect from "../ButtonSelect";
 import { isImperativeTense, isModalTense, isPerfectTense, isVerbTense } from "../../lib/type-predicates";
-import { ensure2ndPersSubjPronounAndNoConflict } from "../../lib/phrase-building/vp-tools";
 import useStickyState from "../../lib/useStickyState";
 import { customStyles } from "../EntrySelect";
+import {
+    VpsReducerAction
+} from "./vps-reducer";
 
 const verbTenseOptions: { label: string | JSX.Element, value: T.VerbTense, formula: string, modalFormula: string, }[] = [{
     label: <div><i className="fas fa-video mr-2" />present</div>,
@@ -113,45 +115,17 @@ function TensePicker(props: ({
 } | {
     vpsComplete: T.VPSelectionComplete,
 }) & {
-    onChange: (p: T.VPSelectionState) => void,
+    onChange: (p: VpsReducerAction) => void,
     mode: "charts" | "phrases" | "quiz",
 }) {
     const [showFormula, setShowFormula] = useStickyState<boolean>(false, "showFormula");
     function onTenseSelect(o: { value: T.VerbTense | T.PerfectTense | T.ImperativeTense } | null) {
         if ("vpsComplete" in props) return;
-        const value = o?.value ? o.value : undefined;
-        if (props.vps.verb && value) {
-            if (isPerfectTense(value)) {
-                props.onChange({
-                    ...props.vps,
-                    verb: {
-                        ...props.vps.verb,
-                        perfectTense: value,
-                        tenseCategory: "perfect",
-                    },
-                });
-            } else if (isImperativeTense(value)) {
-                props.onChange({
-                    ...props.vps,
-                    verb: {
-                        ...props.vps.verb,
-                        imperativeTense: value,
-                        tenseCategory: "imperative",
-                    },
-                });
-            } else {
-                props.onChange({
-                    ...props.vps,
-                    verb: {
-                        ...props.vps.verb,
-                        verbTense: value,
-                        tenseCategory: props.vps.verb.tenseCategory === "perfect"
-                            ? "basic"
-                            : props.vps.verb.tenseCategory,
-                    },
-                });
-            }
-        }
+        const tense = o?.value ? o.value : undefined;
+        props.onChange({
+            type: "set tense",
+            payload: tense,
+        });
     }
     function moveTense(dir: "forward" | "back") {
         if ("vpsComplete" in props) return;
@@ -182,40 +156,19 @@ function TensePicker(props: ({
             onTenseSelect(newTense);
         };
     }
-    function onPosNegSelect(value: string) {
+    function onPosNegSelect(payload: "true" | "false") {
         if ("vpsComplete" in props) return;
-        if (props.vps.verb) {
-            props.onChange({
-                ...props.vps,
-                verb: {
-                    ...props.vps.verb,
-                    negative: value === "true",
-                },
-            });
-        }
+        props.onChange({
+            type: "set negativity",
+            payload,
+        });
     }
-    function onTenseCategorySelect(value: "basic" | "modal" | "perfect" | "imperative") {
+    function onTenseCategorySelect(payload: "basic" | "modal" | "perfect" | "imperative") {
         if ("vpsComplete" in props) return;
-        if (props.vps.verb) {
-            if (value === "imperative") {
-                props.onChange(ensure2ndPersSubjPronounAndNoConflict({
-                    ...props.vps,
-                    verb: {
-                        ...props.vps.verb,
-                        voice: "active",
-                        tenseCategory: value,
-                    },
-                }));
-                return;
-            }
-            props.onChange({
-                ...props.vps,
-                verb: {
-                    ...props.vps.verb,
-                    tenseCategory: value,
-                },
-            });
-        }
+        props.onChange({
+            type: "set tense category",
+            payload,
+        });
     }
     const tOptions = ("vps" in props && (props.vps.verb?.tenseCategory === "perfect"))
         ? perfectTenseOptions
@@ -292,7 +245,7 @@ function TensePicker(props: ({
                 </div>
                 {props.mode === "phrases" && <ButtonSelect
                     small
-                    value={props.vps.verb.negative.toString()}
+                    value={props.vps.verb.negative.toString() as "true" | "false"}
                     options={[{
                         label: "Pos.",
                         value: "false",
diff --git a/src/components/vp-explorer/VPExplorer.tsx b/src/components/vp-explorer/VPExplorer.tsx
index e1f18dc..bc5c027 100644
--- a/src/components/vp-explorer/VPExplorer.tsx
+++ b/src/components/vp-explorer/VPExplorer.tsx
@@ -3,21 +3,18 @@ import VerbPicker from "./VerbPicker";
 import TensePicker from "./TensePicker";
 import VPDisplay from "./VPDisplay";
 import ButtonSelect from "../ButtonSelect";
-import {
-    isInvalidSubjObjCombo,
-} from "../../lib/phrase-building/vp-tools";
 import * as T from "../../types";
 import ChartDisplay from "./VPChartDisplay";
-import useStickyState from "../../lib/useStickyState";
+import useStickyState, { useStickyReducer } from "../../lib/useStickyState";
 import { makeVPSelectionState } from "./verb-selection";
 import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
 import { getKingAndServant } from "../../lib/phrase-building/render-vp";
 import { isPastTense } from "../../lib/phrase-building/vp-tools";
 import VPExplorerQuiz from "./VPExplorerQuiz";
-import { switchSubjObj } from "../../lib/phrase-building/vp-tools";
 import VPExplorerExplanationModal, { roleIcon } from "./VPExplorerExplanationModal";
 // @ts-ignore
 import LZString from "lz-string";
+import { vpsReducer } from "./vps-reducer";
 
 const phraseURLParam = "VPPhrase";
 
@@ -38,7 +35,8 @@ export function VPExplorer(props: {
     handleLinkClick: ((ts: number) => void) | "none",
     entryFeeder: T.EntryFeeder,
 }) {
-    const [vps, setVps] = useStickyState<T.VPSelectionState>(
+    const [vps, adjustVps] = useStickyReducer(
+        vpsReducer,
         props.loaded
             ? props.loaded
             : savedVps => makeVPSelectionState(props.verb, savedVps),
@@ -62,51 +60,41 @@ export function VPExplorer(props: {
     useEffect(() => {
         const VPSFromUrl = getVPSFromUrl();
         if (VPSFromUrl) {
-            setVps(VPSFromUrl);
+            adjustVps({
+                type: "load vps",
+                payload: VPSFromUrl
+            });
         }
         // eslint-disable-next-line
     }, []);
     useEffect(() => {
-        setVps(oldVps => {
-            if (mode === "quiz") {
-                setMode("phrases");
-            }
-            return makeVPSelectionState(props.verb, oldVps);
+        const newVps = makeVPSelectionState(props.verb, vps);
+        adjustVps({
+            type: "load vps",
+            payload: newVps,
         });
         // eslint-disable-next-line
     }, [props.verb]);
     function handleSubjectChange(subject: T.NPSelection | undefined, skipPronounConflictCheck?: boolean) {
-        if (!skipPronounConflictCheck && hasPronounConflict(subject, vps.verb?.object)) {
-            alert("That combination of pronouns is not allowed");
-            return;
-        }
-        setVps(o => ({ ...o, subject }));
+        adjustVps({
+            type: "set subject",
+            payload: { subject, skipPronounConflictCheck },
+        });
     }
     function handleObjectChange(object: T.NPSelection | undefined) {
-        if (!vps.verb) return;
-        if ((vps.verb.object === "none") || (typeof vps.verb.object === "number")) return;
-        // check for pronoun conflict
-        if (hasPronounConflict(vps.subject, object)) {
-            alert("That combination of pronouns is not allowed");
-            return;
-        }
-        setVps(o => ({
-            ...o,
-            verb: {
-                ...o.verb,
-                object,
-            },
-        }));
+        adjustVps({
+            type: "set object",
+            payload: object,
+        });
     }
     function handleSubjObjSwap() {
-        if (vps.verb?.isCompound === "dynamic") return;
-        setVps(switchSubjObj)
+        adjustVps({ type: "swap subj/obj" });
     }
     function handleShrinkPossesive(shrunkenPossesive: number | undefined) {
-        setVps(o => ({
-            ...o,
-            shrunkenPossesive,
-        }));
+        adjustVps({
+            type: "shrink possesive",
+            payload: shrunkenPossesive,
+        });
     }
     function quizLock<T>(f: T) {
         if (mode === "quiz") {
@@ -118,10 +106,10 @@ export function VPExplorer(props: {
         return f;
     }
     function handleSetForm(form: T.FormVersion) {
-        setVps(o => ({
-            ...o,
-            form,
-        }));
+        adjustVps({
+            type: "set form",
+            payload: form,
+        });
     }
     // for some crazy reason I can't get the URI share thing to encode and decode properly
     function handleCopyShareLink() {
@@ -135,7 +123,7 @@ export function VPExplorer(props: {
     return <div className="mt-3" style={{ maxWidth: "950px"}}>
         <VerbPicker
             vps={vps}
-            onChange={quizLock(setVps)}
+            onChange={quizLock(adjustVps)}
             opts={props.opts}
             handleLinkClick={props.handleLinkClick}
         />
@@ -207,7 +195,7 @@ export function VPExplorer(props: {
             <div className="my-2">
                 <TensePicker
                     vps={vps}
-                    onChange={quizLock(setVps)}
+                    onChange={quizLock(adjustVps)}
                     mode={mode}
                 />
             </div>
@@ -237,13 +225,6 @@ export function VPExplorer(props: {
 
 export default VPExplorer;
 
-function hasPronounConflict(subject: T.NPSelection | undefined, object: undefined | T.VerbObject): boolean {
-    const subjPronoun = (subject && subject.type === "pronoun") ? subject : undefined;
-    const objPronoun = (object && typeof object === "object" && object.type === "pronoun") ? object : undefined; 
-    if (!subjPronoun || !objPronoun) return false;
-    return isInvalidSubjObjCombo(subjPronoun.person, objPronoun.person);
-}
-
 function getShareUrl(vps: T.VPSelectionState): string {
     const stringJSON = JSON.stringify(vps);
     const encoded = LZString.compressToEncodedURIComponent(stringJSON);
diff --git a/src/components/vp-explorer/VerbPicker.tsx b/src/components/vp-explorer/VerbPicker.tsx
index 15cd1f9..cbc92df 100644
--- a/src/components/vp-explorer/VerbPicker.tsx
+++ b/src/components/vp-explorer/VerbPicker.tsx
@@ -5,13 +5,15 @@ import { getVerbInfo } from "../../lib/verb-info";
 import Hider from "../Hider";
 import useStickyState from "../../lib/useStickyState";
 import CompoundDisplay from "./CompoundDisplay";
-import { changeStatDyn, changeTransitivity, changeVoice } from "./verb-selection";
+import {
+    VpsReducerAction
+} from "./vps-reducer";
 
 // TODO: dark on past tense selecitons
 
 function VerbPicker(props: {
     vps: T.VPSelectionState,
-    onChange: (p: T.VPSelectionState) => void,
+    onChange: (a: VpsReducerAction) => void,
     opts: T.TextOptions,
     handleLinkClick: ((ts: number) => void) | "none",
 }) {
@@ -28,42 +30,25 @@ function VerbPicker(props: {
         return <div>ERROR: Verb version should be select first</div>;
     }
     function onVoiceSelect(value: "active" | "passive") {
-        if (props.vps.verb && props.vps.verb.canChangeVoice) {
-            if (value === "passive" && props.vps.verb.tenseCategory === "imperative") {
-                return;
-            }
-            if (value === "passive" && (typeof props.vps.verb.object === "object")) {
-                props.onChange({
-                    ...props.vps,
-                    subject: props.vps.verb.object,
-                    verb: changeVoice(props.vps.verb, value, props.vps.verb.object),
-                });
-            } else {
-                props.onChange({
-                    ...props.vps,
-                    verb: changeVoice(props.vps.verb, value, value === "active" ? props.vps.subject : undefined),
-                });
-            }
-        }
+        props.onChange({
+            type: "set voice",
+            payload: value,
+        });
     }
     function notInstransitive(t: "transitive" | "intransitive" | "grammatically transitive"): "transitive" | "grammatically transitive" {
         return t === "intransitive" ? "transitive" : t;
     }
-    function handleChangeTransitivity(t: "transitive" | "grammatically transitive") {
-        if (props.vps.verb && props.vps.verb.canChangeTransitivity) {
-            props.onChange({
-                ...props.vps,
-                verb: changeTransitivity(props.vps.verb, t),
-            });
-        }
+    function handleChangeTransitivity(payload: "transitive" | "grammatically transitive") {
+        props.onChange({
+            type: "set transitivity",
+            payload,
+        });
     }
-    function handleChangeStatDyn(c: "stative" | "dynamic") {
-        if (props.vps.verb && props.vps.verb.canChangeStatDyn) {
-            props.onChange({
-                ...props.vps,
-                verb: changeStatDyn(props.vps.verb, c),
-            });
-        }
+    function handleChangeStatDyn(payload: "stative" | "dynamic") {
+        props.onChange({
+            type: "set statDyn",
+            payload,
+        });
     }
     return <div className="mb-3">
         {info && <CompoundDisplay
diff --git a/src/components/vp-explorer/vps-reducer.ts b/src/components/vp-explorer/vps-reducer.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..937c60e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/vp-explorer/vps-reducer.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+import * as T from "../../types";
+import {
+    isInvalidSubjObjCombo,
+} from "../../lib/phrase-building/vp-tools";
+import { switchSubjObj } from "../../lib/phrase-building/vp-tools";
+import { changeStatDyn, changeTransitivity, changeVoice } from "./verb-selection";
+import { ensure2ndPersSubjPronounAndNoConflict } from "../../lib/phrase-building/vp-tools";
+import {
+    isPerfectTense,
+    isImperativeTense,
+} from "../../lib/type-predicates";
+
+export type VpsReducerAction = {
+    type: "load vps",
+    payload: T.VPSelectionState,
+} | {
+    type: "set subject",
+    payload: {
+        subject: T.NPSelection | undefined,
+        skipPronounConflictCheck?: boolean,
+    },
+} | {
+    type: "set object",
+    payload: T.NPSelection | undefined,
+} | {
+    type: "swap subj/obj",
+} | {
+    type: "shrink possesive",
+    payload: number | undefined,
+} | {
+    type: "set form",
+    payload: T.FormVersion,
+} | {
+    type: "set voice",
+    payload: "active" | "passive",
+} | {
+    type: "set transitivity",
+    payload: "transitive" | "grammatically transitive",
+} | {
+    type: "set statDyn",
+    payload: "stative" | "dynamic",
+} | {
+    type: "set negativity",
+    payload: "true" | "false",
+} | {
+    type: "set tense",
+    payload: T.VerbTense | T.PerfectTense | T.ImperativeTense | undefined,
+} | {
+    type: "set tense category",
+    payload: "basic" | "modal" | "perfect" | "imperative",
+}
+
+export function vpsReducer(vps: T.VPSelectionState, action: VpsReducerAction): T.VPSelectionState {
+    if (action.type === "load vps") {
+        return action.payload;
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set subject") {
+        const { subject, skipPronounConflictCheck } = action.payload;
+        if (
+            !skipPronounConflictCheck
+            &&
+            hasPronounConflict(subject, vps.verb?.object)
+        ) {
+            alert("That combination of pronouns is not allowed");
+            return vps;
+        }
+        return {
+            ...vps,
+            subject: action.payload.subject,
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set object") {
+        if (!vps.verb) return vps;
+        if ((vps.verb.object === "none") || (typeof vps.verb.object === "number")) {
+            return vps;
+        }
+        const object = action.payload;
+        // check for pronoun conflict
+        if (hasPronounConflict(vps.subject, object)) {
+            alert("That combination of pronouns is not allowed");
+            return vps;
+        }
+        return {
+            ...vps,
+            verb: {
+                ...vps.verb,
+                object,
+            },
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "swap subj/obj") {
+        if (vps.verb?.isCompound === "dynamic") return vps;
+        return switchSubjObj(vps);
+    }
+    if (action.type === "shrink possesive") {
+        return {
+            ...vps,
+            shrunkenPossesive: action.payload,
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set form") {
+        return {
+            ...vps,
+            form: action.payload,
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set voice") {
+        if (vps.verb && vps.verb.canChangeVoice) {
+            const voice = action.payload;
+            if (voice === "passive" && vps.verb.tenseCategory === "imperative") {
+                return vps;
+            }
+            if (voice === "passive" && (typeof vps.verb.object === "object")) {
+                return {
+                    ...vps,
+                    subject: vps.verb.object,
+                    verb: changeVoice(vps.verb, voice, vps.verb.object),
+                };
+            } else {
+                return {
+                    ...vps,
+                    verb: changeVoice(vps.verb, voice, voice === "active" ? vps.subject : undefined),
+                };
+            }
+        } else {
+            return vps;
+        }
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set transitivity") {
+        if (!(vps.verb && vps.verb.canChangeTransitivity)) return vps;
+        return {
+            ...vps,
+            verb: changeTransitivity(vps.verb, action.payload),
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set statDyn") {
+        if (!(vps.verb && vps.verb.canChangeStatDyn)) return vps;
+        return {
+            ...vps,
+            verb: changeStatDyn(vps.verb, action.payload),
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set negativity") {
+        if (!vps.verb) return vps;
+        return {
+            ...vps,
+            verb: {
+                ...vps.verb,
+                negative: action.payload === "true",
+            },
+        };
+    }
+    if (action.type === "set tense") {
+        const tense = action.payload;
+        if (!(vps.verb && tense)) return vps;
+        if (isPerfectTense(tense)) {
+            return {
+                ...vps,
+                verb: {
+                    ...vps.verb,
+                    perfectTense: tense,
+                    tenseCategory: "perfect",
+                },
+            };
+        } else if (isImperativeTense(tense)) {
+            return {
+                ...vps,
+                verb: {
+                    ...vps.verb,
+                    imperativeTense: tense,
+                    tenseCategory: "imperative",
+                },
+            };
+        } else {
+            return {
+                ...vps,
+                verb: {
+                    ...vps.verb,
+                    verbTense: tense,
+                    tenseCategory: vps.verb.tenseCategory === "perfect"
+                        ? "basic"
+                        : vps.verb.tenseCategory,
+                },
+            };
+        }
+    }
+    // if (action.type === "set tense category") {
+        if (!vps.verb) return vps;
+        const category = action.payload;
+        if (category === "imperative") {
+            return ensure2ndPersSubjPronounAndNoConflict({
+                ...vps,
+                verb: {
+                    ...vps.verb,
+                    voice: "active",
+                    tenseCategory: category,
+                },
+            });
+        }
+        return {
+            ...vps,
+            verb: {
+                ...vps.verb,
+                tenseCategory: category,
+            },
+        };
+    // }
+}
+
+function hasPronounConflict(subject: T.NPSelection | undefined, object: undefined | T.VerbObject): boolean {
+    const subjPronoun = (subject && subject.type === "pronoun") ? subject : undefined;
+    const objPronoun = (object && typeof object === "object" && object.type === "pronoun") ? object : undefined; 
+    if (!subjPronoun || !objPronoun) return false;
+    return isInvalidSubjObjCombo(subjPronoun.person, objPronoun.person);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-ep.ts b/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-ep.ts
index 5adc2b5..03e27b3 100644
--- a/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-ep.ts
+++ b/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-ep.ts
@@ -14,14 +14,14 @@ import { removeAccents } from "../accent-helpers";
 import { getEnglishFromRendered, getPashtoFromRendered } from "./np-tools";
 import {
     orderKidsSection,
-    findPossesiveToShrink,
+    findPossesiveToShrinkInEP,
     shrinkNP,
 } from "./compile-tools";
 
-export function compileEP(EP: T.EPRendered, form: T.FormVersion): { ps: T.SingleOrLengthOpts<T.PsString[]>, e?: string[] };
-export function compileEP(EP: T.EPRendered, form: T.FormVersion, combineLengths: true): { ps: T.PsString[], e?: string[] };
-export function compileEP(EP: T.EPRendered, form: T.FormVersion, combineLengths?: true): { ps: T.SingleOrLengthOpts<T.PsString[]>, e?: string[] } {
-    const { kids, NPs } = getSegmentsAndKids(EP, form);
+export function compileEP(EP: T.EPRendered): { ps: T.SingleOrLengthOpts<T.PsString[]>, e?: string[] };
+export function compileEP(EP: T.EPRendered, combineLengths: true): { ps: T.PsString[], e?: string[] };
+export function compileEP(EP: T.EPRendered, combineLengths?: true): { ps: T.SingleOrLengthOpts<T.PsString[]>, e?: string[] } {
+    const { kids, NPs } = getSegmentsAndKids(EP);
     const equative = EP.equative.ps;
     const psResult = compilePs({
         NPs,
@@ -35,15 +35,9 @@ export function compileEP(EP: T.EPRendered, form: T.FormVersion, combineLengths?
     };
 }
 
-function getSegmentsAndKids(EP: T.EPRendered, form: Omit<T.FormVersion, "shrinkServant">): { kids: Segment[], NPs: Segment[] } {
-    function ifNotRemoved(s: Segment, role: "subject" | "predicate"): Segment[] {
-        if (form.removeKing && EP.king === role) {
-            return [];
-        }
-        return [s];
-    }
-    const possToShrink = findPossesiveToShrink(EP);
-    const shrunkenPossAllowed = !(form.removeKing && possToShrink?.role === "king");
+function getSegmentsAndKids(EP: T.EPRendered): { kids: Segment[], NPs: Segment[] } {
+    const possToShrink = findPossesiveToShrinkInEP(EP);
+    const shrunkenPossAllowed = !((possToShrink?.from === "subject") && EP.omitSubject);
     const possUid = shrunkenPossAllowed ? EP.shrunkenPossesive : undefined;
     const subject = makeSegment(getPashtoFromRendered(EP.subject, possUid, false));
     const predicate = makeSegment(getPashtoFromRendered(EP.predicate, possUid, false));
@@ -53,12 +47,12 @@ function getSegmentsAndKids(EP: T.EPRendered, form: Omit<T.FormVersion, "shrinkS
                 ? [makeSegment(grammarUnits.baParticle, ["isBa", "isKid"])]
                 : [],
             ...(possToShrink && shrunkenPossAllowed)
-                ? [shrinkNP(possToShrink)]
+                ? [shrinkNP(possToShrink.np)]
                 : [],
         ]),
         NPs: [
-            ...ifNotRemoved(subject, "subject"),
-            ...ifNotRemoved(predicate, "predicate"),
+            ...EP.omitSubject ? [] : [subject],
+            predicate
         ],
     };
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-tools.ts b/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-tools.ts
index d5d5a5f..5791a0c 100644
--- a/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-tools.ts
+++ b/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-tools.ts
@@ -26,28 +26,55 @@ export function orderKidsSection(kids: Segment[]): Segment[] {
     });
 }
 
-export function findPossesiveToShrink(VP: T.VPRendered | T.EPRendered): T.Rendered<T.NPSelection> | undefined {
-    const uid = VP.shrunkenPossesive;
-    function findPossesiveInNP(NP: T.Rendered<T.NPSelection> | T.ObjectNP | undefined): T.Rendered<T.NPSelection> | undefined {
-        if (NP === undefined) return undefined;
-        if (typeof NP !== "object") return undefined;
-        if (!NP.possesor) return undefined;
-        if (NP.possesor.uid === uid) {
-            return NP.possesor.np;
-        }
-        return findPossesiveInNP(NP.possesor.np);
+function findPossesiveInNP(NP: T.Rendered<T.NPSelection> | T.ObjectNP | undefined, uid: number): T.Rendered<T.NPSelection> | undefined {
+    if (NP === undefined) return undefined;
+    if (typeof NP !== "object") return undefined;
+    if (!NP.possesor) return undefined;
+    if (NP.possesor.uid === uid) {
+        return NP.possesor.np;
     }
+    return findPossesiveInNP(NP.possesor.np, uid);
+}
+
+export function findPossesiveToShrinkInEP(EP: T.EPRendered): {
+    np: T.Rendered<T.NPSelection>,
+    from: "subject" | "predicate",
+} | undefined {
+    const uid = EP.shrunkenPossesive;
     if (uid === undefined) return undefined;
-    const objPred: T.Rendered<T.NPSelection> | undefined = ("object" in VP)
-        ? (typeof VP.object === "object" ? VP.object : undefined)
-        : (VP.predicate.type === "noun" || VP.predicate.type === "participle" || VP.predicate.type === "pronoun")
-        // typescript is dumb here;
-        ? VP.predicate as T.Rendered<T.NPSelection>
+    const inSubject = findPossesiveInNP(EP.subject, uid);
+    if (inSubject) {
+        return {
+            np: inSubject,
+            from: "subject",
+        };
+    }
+    if (EP.predicate.type === "adjective" || EP.predicate.type === "loc. adv.") {
+        return undefined;
+        
+    }
+    // ts being stupid
+    const predicate = EP.predicate as T.Rendered<T.NPSelection>;
+    const inPredicate = findPossesiveInNP(predicate, uid);
+    if (inPredicate) {
+        return {
+            np: inPredicate,
+            from: "predicate",
+        };
+    }
+    return undefined;
+}
+
+export function findPossesiveToShrinkInVP(VP: T.VPRendered): T.Rendered<T.NPSelection> | undefined {
+    const uid = VP.shrunkenPossesive;
+    if (uid === undefined) return undefined;
+    const obj: T.Rendered<T.NPSelection> | undefined = ("object" in VP && typeof VP.object === "object")
+        ? VP.object
         : undefined;
     return (
-        findPossesiveInNP(VP.subject)
+        findPossesiveInNP(VP.subject, uid)
         ||
-        findPossesiveInNP(objPred)
+        findPossesiveInNP(obj, uid)
     );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-vp.ts b/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-vp.ts
index a03d72a..79985cb 100644
--- a/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-vp.ts
+++ b/src/lib/phrase-building/compile-vp.ts
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import { isImperativeTense, isModalTense, isPerfectTense } from "../type-predica
 import { getEnglishFromRendered, getPashtoFromRendered } from "./np-tools";
 import {
     orderKidsSection,
-    findPossesiveToShrink,
+    findPossesiveToShrinkInVP,
     shrinkNP,
 } from "./compile-tools";
 
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ function getSegmentsAndKids(VP: T.VPRendered, form: Form): { kids: Segment[], NP
         return servant;
     })();
     const shrunkenServant = toShrinkServant ? shrinkNP(toShrinkServant) : undefined;
-    const possToShrink = findPossesiveToShrink(VP);
+    const possToShrink = findPossesiveToShrinkInVP(VP);
     const shrunkenPossesive = possToShrink ? shrinkNP(possToShrink) : undefined;
     const shrunkenPossAllowed = possToShrink && shrunkenPossesive && (
         !shrunkenServant || !psStringEquals(shrunkenPossesive.ps[0], shrunkenServant.ps[0])
diff --git a/src/lib/phrase-building/render-ep.ts b/src/lib/phrase-building/render-ep.ts
index 3949c09..ef80394 100644
--- a/src/lib/phrase-building/render-ep.ts
+++ b/src/lib/phrase-building/render-ep.ts
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ export function renderEP(EP: T.EPSelectionComplete): T.EPRendered {
         equative: renderEquative(EP.equative, kingPerson),
         englishBase: equativeBuilders[EP.equative.tense](kingPerson, EP.equative.negative),
         shrunkenPossesive: EP.shrunkenPossesive,
-        form: EP.form,
+        omitSubject: EP.omitSubject,
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/useStickyState.ts b/src/lib/useStickyState.ts
index 3c0e2da..a31e8aa 100644
--- a/src/lib/useStickyState.ts
+++ b/src/lib/useStickyState.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
 
+type SaveableData = string | number | object | boolean | undefined | null
+
 /**
  * replacement from the React useState hook that will persist the state in local storage
  * 
@@ -8,7 +10,7 @@ import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
  * @param key a key for saving the state in locolStorage
  * @returns 
  */
-export default function useStickyState<T extends string | number | object | boolean | undefined | null>(defaultValue: T | ((old: T | undefined) => T), key: string): [
+export default function useStickyState<T extends SaveableData>(defaultValue: T | ((old: T | undefined) => T), key: string): [
   value: T,
   setValue: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<T>>,
 ] {
@@ -42,3 +44,17 @@ export default function useStickyState<T extends string | number | object | bool
 
   return [value, setValue];
 }
+
+export function useStickyReducer<T extends SaveableData, A>(
+  reducer: (state: T, dispatch: A) => T,
+  defaultValue: T | ((old: T | undefined) => T),
+  key: string,
+): [T, (action: A) => void] {
+  const [state, unsafeSetState] = useStickyState<T>(defaultValue, key);
+  function adjustState(action: A) {
+    unsafeSetState(oldState => {
+      return reducer(oldState, action);
+    });
+  }
+  return [state, adjustState];
+}
diff --git a/src/types.ts b/src/types.ts
index b0f5518..e7c81b1 100644
--- a/src/types.ts
+++ b/src/types.ts
@@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ export type EPSelectionState = {
     },
     equative: EquativeSelection,
     shrunkenPossesive: undefined | number,
-    form: FormVersion,
+    omitSubject: boolean,
 };
 
 export type EPSelectionComplete = Omit<EPSelectionState, "subject" | "predicate"> & {
@@ -679,7 +679,7 @@ export type EPSelectionComplete = Omit<EPSelectionState, "subject" | "predicate"
         type: "Complement",
         selection: EqCompSelection,
     },
-    form: FormVersion,
+    omitSubject: boolean,
 };
 
 export type EqCompType = "adjective" | "loc. adv."; // TODO: - more
@@ -700,11 +700,11 @@ export type EPRendered = {
     type: "EPRendered",
     king: "subject" | "predicate",
     subject: Rendered<NPSelection>,
-    predicate: Rendered<NPSelection | EqCompSelection>,
+    predicate: Rendered<NPSelection> | Rendered<EqCompSelection>,
     equative: EquativeRendered,
     englishBase?: string[],
     shrunkenPossesive: undefined | number,
-    form: FormVersion,
+    omitSubject: boolean,
 }
 
 export type EntryFeeder = {