GMAT Verbal : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #186 : 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.

Me and her were going to see if there were any more tickets left for the weekend show.

Possible Answers:

She and I were going to see

Me and her were going to see

Me and her were gone to see

Me and her was going to see

Me and her were going seeing

Correct answer:

She and I were going to see

Explanation:

Because both pronouns are used as subjects of the sentence, "me and her" is incorrect, as they are objective pronouns being used where subjective pronouns are needed. "She and I were going to see" is the only answer choice that uses the right pronouns, so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #295 : 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 reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Even though Jack took the credit for returning the lost puppy, most of the neighborhood knew it was actually us who did the good deed.

Possible Answers:

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually us whom did the good deed.

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we whom did the good deed.

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we who done the good deed.

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we who did the good deed.

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually us who did the good deed.

Correct answer:

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we who did the good deed.

Explanation:

The pronoun "us" in the sentence is a subject complement, because it follows the linking verb "is" and renames the subject "it" in more detail. Pronouns used as subject complements need to be in the subjective form, just like the subjects of sentences. "Us" is the objective form of the first-person plural pronoun, so it is incorrect. Changing "us" to "we," the subjective form of the first-person plural pronoun, corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Even though Jack took the credit for returning the lost puppy, most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we who did the good deed."

Example Question #296 : 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 book was probably only read in full by the author and I.

Possible Answers:

by the author and me.

by its author and I.

for the author and I.

by I and the author.

by the author and I.

Correct answer:

by the author and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" as the object of the prepositional phrase "by the author and I" is incorrect, as "I" is the subjective form of the first person pronoun. To correct the sentence's error, "I" must be replaced by the objective form of the first person pronoun, "me." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "by the author and me."

Example Question #41 : 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 author did not tell her husband that she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and he until it was published.

Possible Answers:

she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and him until it was published.

she had decided that she would dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and he until it was published.

she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and he until it was published.

she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to both their daughter and he until it was published.

she had decided on dedicating her latest novel to their daughter and he until it was published.

Correct answer:

she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and him until it was published.

Explanation:

Only the answer choice "she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and him until it was published" correctly uses the pronoun "him," which is the objective case pronoun, as an object of the preposition "to."

All of the other answer choices use the pronoun "he," which is the subjective case pronoun, instead of "him," and are therefore incorrect.

Example Question #182 : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Rounding the corner, the pedestrian quickly saw the entirety of the cities skyline.

Possible Answers:

of the cities skylines.

of the city's skyline.

of the cities skyline.

of the cities' skyline.

from the cities skyline.

Correct answer:

of the city's skyline.

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence has an issue with the word "cities." The word is actually used as a possessive, instead of the plural form that is written in the sentence. The appropriate form is "of the city's skyline."

Example Question #41 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

She and him were trying to show that they were serious players in the financial market.

Possible Answers:

She and him was trying

She and he were trying

Him and she were trying

She and him were trying

Her and him were trying

Correct answer:

She and he were trying

Explanation:

The use of the objective pronoun "him" in the subject of the sentence is incorrect. The word should be changed to the subjective pronoun "he." As this is the only change that needs to be made in the sentence, "She and he were trying" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #42 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.

Possible Answers:

Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.

Between you and I, we cannot send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive. 

Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school for the tuition was so expensive. 

Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive. 

Between you and I, we couldn’t send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive. 

Correct answer:

Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive. 

Explanation:

After the preposition "between," one uses the objects pronouns "you" and "me."

Example Question #72 : Correcting 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 reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Me and the general always took a stroll in the morning.

Possible Answers:

The general and me

I and the general

The general, I

The general and I

Me and the general

Correct answer:

The general and I

Explanation:

The underlined portion is an incorrect usage of "me." A good rule of thumb, and the best way to find the answer, is to see which pronoun is appropriate alone, "me" or "I." "The general and I" is the correct answer.

Example Question #41 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

She and him do not dance under any circumstances.

Possible Answers:

She and him does not

They does not

She and him do not

They do not

She and he do not

Correct answer:

They do not

Explanation:

Using "she and him" is always incorrect, as "she" is a subject and "him" is an object. The best way to fix this is to use "they" and its correct verb usage, "do not."

Example Question #42 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Me and my best friend always went down to the river on Saturdays in the summer.

Possible Answers:

Me and my best friend

My best friend and I

I and my best friend

My best friend and me

My best friend and us

Correct answer:

My best friend and I

Explanation:

The use of "me" as a subject in a sentence is always incorrect. As a subject, "I" is the correct first person singular pronoun, and should always be the final subject when more than one is mentioned; therefore, "My best friend and I" is the correct answer choice.

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