GMAT Verbal : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
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Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
William talked to Toby because he was a very sociable individual.
who was a very sociable individual.
because he was a very sociable individual.
that was a very sociable individual.
since he was a very sociable individual.
because he was a very genial individual.
who was a very sociable individual.
This sentence uses the pronoun "he," which is very ambiguous in this sentence. Does "he" refer to William or Toby? Changing the "he" to "who" fixes this issue because English grammar dictates that a relative pronoun appear after the word to which it is referring. "That" makes sense because William and Toby are humans (that is reserved for objects) and the other choices do not make any substantial changes to the original sentence. The answer is, "who was a very sociable individual."
Example Question #32 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Trina's new song, which topped the charts, is loved by many.
Trina's new song is loved by many and topped the charts.
Trina's new song topped the charts, which is loved by many.
Trina's new song, which topped the charts, is loved by many.
Trina's new song is loved by many, so it topped the charts.
Trina's new song, which many people love, topped the charts.
Trina's new song, which many people love, topped the charts.
This sentence contains many errors: foremost, it is very ambiguous in the usage of the pronoun in its current form. It is unclear whether the sentence means that the charts are loved or Trina's song. Additionally, passive voice is used in this sentence when active voice is better for a relatively complex sentence like this one (i.e. The subject must do the action of the sentence) in standard English. The correct choice is, "Trina's new song, which many people love, topped the charts."
Example Question #33 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The largest tree in the park, which is very beautiful, is as old as the city.
The largest tree in the park, that is very beautiful, is as old as the city.
The beautiful park's largest tree is as old as the city.
The park's largest tree, which is as old as the city, is beautiful.
The beautiful tree in the park, which is as old as the city, is the largest in the park.
The largest tree in the park, which is very beautiful, is as old as the city.
The beautiful park's largest tree is as old as the city.
The sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. Technically, the word "which" could apply to both "the tree" and "the park" in this sentence. The word order needs to be reorganized in such a way that it is clear which words specifically refer to which nouns. The correct choice is, "The beautiful park's largest tree is as old as the city" as all of the other sentences contain some degree of ambiguity. This choice is the only one that is specific and clear.
Example Question #34 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The ways infants adapt to new situations tells psychologists more about their brain's development than other attempts to measure intelligence.
their brain's development than
how children's brains develop than do
how one's brain develops than
developing children's brains than
they develop their brains than
how children's brains develop than do
Eliminate the choices containing ambiguous pronouns, as it is not clear to whom "their," "one," and "they" refers. Note that the correct answer adds the necessary auxiliary verb "do". The use of the noun in "how children's..." resolves any issues with ambiguity.
Example Question #35 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The ways babies adapt to new situations tells researchers more about their brain's development than other data.
they develop their brains than
how one's brain develops than
developing infant's brains than
their brain's development than
how infant's brains develop than do
how infant's brains develop than do
Eliminate the choices containing ambiguous pronouns, as it is not clear to whom "their," "one," and "they" refers. Note that the correct answer adds the necessary auxiliary verb "do". The use of the noun in "how infant's..." resolves any issues with ambiguity.
Example Question #36 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Bettors were surprisingly unsure about the team widely perceived to be the odds on favorite before the tournament, as they had only a spotty track record of success.
but they had only a spotty track record of success.
as they had just a spotty track record of success.
as they had only a spotty track record of success.
as they had only a spotty track record of successes.
as the team had only a spotty track record of success.
as the team had only a spotty track record of success.
The use of "they" in the underlined portion of the sentence is ambiguous and confusing, as it is unclear whether "they" refers to the "bettors" or the "team." The best way to clear up this confusion is to not use the pronoun at all, but rather to replace it with the actual noun it replaces. The only answer choice which properly clears up this confusion is "as the team had only a spotty track record of success."
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