GMAT Verbal : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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Example Questions
Example Question #43 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The board only requires you to attend this meeting.
only requires yourself
requires just yourself
only requires you
requires only yourself
only require you
only requires you
The sentence is correct as it is written. The use of "you" in this sentence is proper instead of "yourself," because "yourself" is a reflexive pronoun, meaning it needs to refer back to an earlier use of "you."
Example Question #76 : Other 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
There is many issues with the prosecution's case against the mafia leader.
There are
These have
There is
Those are
That is
There are
The verb in the underlined portion is used with the "many issues," a plural. Therefore, the verb needs to be plural. Also, the word beginning the sentence needs to appropriately reference the "many issues." "There are" is the only answer choice that fits both criteria.
Example Question #77 : Other 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.
This has been a favorite band of me for a while.
For a while, this has been one of mine favorite bands.
This band has been a favorite of mine for a while.
This has been a favorite band of myself's for a while.
Of I, this has been a favorite band for a while.
Of myself for a while, this has been a favorite band.
This band has been a favorite of mine for a while.
Instead of using the first-person objective pronoun "me," the first-person possessive pronoun "mine" should be used in order to imply ownership of opinion in this sentence. So, the correct answer is, "This band has been a favorite of mine for a while."
Example Question #80 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
If you ever see someone walking along this street at night trying to hitch a ride, make sure you don't pick them up.
him and her
he
them
they
him or her
him or her
"Someone" is singular, so a singular pronoun must be used to refer back to it. Because "someone" can be male or female, it's best to use the phrase "him or her."
Example Question #71 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
After the team had them first big victory, the coach decided to go out for a celebration pizza dinner.
it's
his
them
their
its
its
"Team" is a singular word, so "them" must be replaced by a singular possessive pronoun.
Example Question #74 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Your sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?
You're sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?
Your sure you're dad told you what time you're mom would be home tonight, right?
Your sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?
You're sure you're dad told you what time you're mom would be home tonight, right?
You're sure your dad told you what time you're mom would be home tonight, right?
You're sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?
The first underlined part can be broken apart into "you are," and calls for the use of the contraction "you're;." The second two cases are possessives, and call for the use of "your."
Example Question #75 : 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.
In order to decrease scrutiny, the organization began holding all there press conferences in secret.
all they are press conferences in secret.
all they're press conferences in secret.
all there press conferences in secret.
all their press conferences in secret.
all of there press conferences in secret.
all their press conferences in secret.
The use of "there," which means a particular place, is incorrect in this sentence. The sentence is written in a way to indicate that "there" should be the third person plural possessive pronoun, "their." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "all their press conferences in secret."
Example Question #801 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The rains came so hard that there football game had to be delayed.
they're football game
there football game
there own football game
their football game
there football games
their football game
The use of "there" is absolutely incorrect in this sentence. What should be used is the third person plural possessive pronoun "their; therefore, "their football game" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #41 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Over the course of history, powerful people have always asserted their selves when a crisis has occurred.
their selves
themselves
them
their self
their selfs
themselves
"Their selves" means essentially their independent identities, and is not a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the "powerful people" Therefore, the correct answer is "themselves," which is just such a reflexive pronoun.
Example Question #42 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Few domesticated animals have the ability to fend for themselves without humans providing for themselves.
providing for themselves
providing for them
provide for themselves
provide for them
providing themselves
providing for them
"Themselves" is a referential pronoun, and the structure of the sentence would make it refer to "humans." For the sentence to make sense, the pronoun needs to indicate "domesticated animals" are the ones being provided for. "Providing for them" is the correct answer choice.
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