GMAT Verbal : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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 delivery was given to her, but it was only supposed to be received by I.

Possible Answers:

only supposing to be received by I

supposed to be only received by I

only supposed to be received by me

only supposed to be received by I

only supposed to be received from I

Correct answer:

only supposed to be received by me

Explanation:

The use of the subjective first person pronoun "I" in this sentence is incorrect, as it is in the position of an object. The pronoun must be changed to the proper objective first person pronoun, "me." The only answer choice that uses the correct pronoun is "only supposed to be received by me."

Example Question #172 : Correcting Word Usage Errors

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 full load was given directly to both the coach and I.

Possible Answers:

for both the coach and I

to both of the coach and I

to both the coach and me

to both I and the coach

to both the coach and I

Correct answer:

to both the coach and me

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the object of a sentence or phrase incorrect. "I" needs to be changed to the objective first person pronoun, "me." The only answer choice that correctly makes this change is "to both the coach and me."

Example Question #181 : Correcting Pronoun Errors

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.

Me and him went to the store yesterday to buy some groceries together.

Possible Answers:

Me and him went on to the store yesterday

Me and him went at the store yesterday

He and I went to the store yesterday

Me and him went to a store yesterday

Me and him went to the store yesterday

Correct answer:

He and I went to the store yesterday

Explanation:

The use of both "me" and "him" in this sentence is incorrect, as they are both objective pronouns used as the subject of the sentence. Both pronouns need to be changed to the respective first and third person subjective pronouns. "He and I went to the store yesterday" is the only answer choice that uses the correct pronouns.

Example Question #182 : Correcting Pronoun Errors

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 entire project was a collaborative effort between the engineers, designers, and I.

Possible Answers:

a collaborative effort between the engineers the designers and I.

a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and me.

the collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and I.

a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and I.

a collaborative effort, between the engineers, the designers, and I.

Correct answer:

a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the object of a sentence or phrase is incorrect, as it should only be used as the subject of a sentence. The pronoun must be changed to the first person objective form, "me." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and me."

Example Question #291 : Usage Errors

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 report in question was never seen by either he or I.

Possible Answers:

never seen on either he or I.

never seeing by either he or I.

never seen by either he or I.

never seen by neither he or I. 

never seen by either me or him.

Correct answer:

never seen by either me or him.

Explanation:

The use of the pronouns "he" and "I" in the object of a sentence or phrase is incorrect, as they are both subjective pronouns. Each pronoun must be changed to its respective objective form. Thus, the correct answer choice is "never seen by either me or him."

Example Question #292 : Usage Errors

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.

She and him had known each other for years, but only fell in love recently.

Possible Answers:

She and him had known each other for years

They had known each other for years

She and him having known each other for years

She and him had known every other for years

She and him had knowing each other for years

Correct answer:

They had known each other for years

Explanation:

The use of "him" in the subject of a sentence is incorrect, as "him" is the objective third person pronoun. The pronoun needs to be changed to a subjective pronoun because it appears in the subject of the sentence. The only answer choice that takes care of this problem is "They had known each other for years."

Example Question #293 : Usage Errors

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.

Me and my little sister have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Possible Answers:

Me and my little sister have always had trouble getting along with one another.

Me and my little sister have always troubled getting along with each other.

My little sister and I have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Me and my little sister have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Me and my little sister always having trouble getting along with each other.

Correct answer:

My little sister and I have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Explanation:

The use of "me" as the subject of a sentence is incorrect, as "me" is an objective pronoun and should only be used as the object of a sentence. The only answer choice that takes care of this pronoun issue is "My little sister and I have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Example Question #181 : Correcting Word Usage Errors

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.

Every one of the documents has been reviewed by the president and I.

Possible Answers:

has been reviewing by the president and I.

has been reviewed by I and the president.

has been reviewed for the president and I.

has been reviewed by the president and me.

has been reviewed by the president and I.

Correct answer:

has been reviewed by the president and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" as the object of the sentence is incorrect, as it can only be used as the subject of a sentence. The pronoun needs to be changed to the objective pronoun form, "me." The only answer choice which uses this form of the pronoun is "has been reviewed by the president and me."

Example Question #184 : Correcting Word Usage Errors

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.

Although Paul emphatically declared his innocence, the story he told to Shelley and I was rather hard to believe.

Possible Answers:

he told to Shelley and I were rather hard to believe.

he told to Shelley and me was rather hard to believe.

he tells to Shelley and I is rather hard to believe.

he told was rather hard to believe to Shelley and me.

he told to Shelley and I was rather hard to believe.

Correct answer:

he told to Shelley and me was rather hard to believe.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in pronoun case. Because "I" is found in a prepositional phrase and is not the subject, it should be changed to "me." Two choices correct this, but one of them creates a clarity problem by changing the word order.

Example Question #294 : Usage Errors

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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Me and him were just coming up the hill when we saw it.

Possible Answers:

Me and him were

He and I was

He and I were

Him and me were

Me and him was

Correct answer:

He and I were

Explanation:

Both "me" and "him" are objective pronouns, and as such can only be used as objects; however, in this sentence, they are the subjects. The proper subject forms are "he" and "I," and should be used accordingly. The correct answer is "He and I were."

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