PSAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #78 : 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.
Of myself for a while, this has been a favorite band.
Of I, this has been a favorite band for a while.
This band has been a favorite of mine for a while.
This has been a favorite band of myself's for a while.
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 #2041 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
them
him and her
him or her
they
he
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 #81 : 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.
After the team had them first big victory, the coach decided to go out for a celebration pizza dinner.
its
them
it's
their
his
its
"Team" is a singular word, so "them" must be replaced by a singular possessive 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 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?
Your 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?
You're 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 #83 : 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
their selfs
their self
themselves
them
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 #84 : 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 themselves
providing for themselves
providing for them
provide for them
provide for 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.
Example Question #51 : 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.
After the essay is written, please deliver a copy to ourselves.
to ours
to ourselves
in ourselves
for ourselves
to us
to us
The use of "ourselves" is incorrect, as it is a referential pronoun, meaning that the word must refer to an earlier use of the first person plural pronoun. The use at the end of the sentence is the first one, and should not be a referential pronoun. "To us" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #82 : Correcting Pronoun Errors
The long term failure of the treaty was largely assumed to be due to it's unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to it's unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to it's unfavorable agreements toward the weaker party.
because its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to it's unfavorable agreements among the weaker party.
due to its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
The sentence has an issue with the use of "it's" in the underlined portion. "It's" can only mean "it is" and never be the possessive, which can only be "its;" therefore, the correct answer choice is "due to its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party."
Example Question #81 : Other Pronoun Errors
In the sentence below, select the phrasing of the underlined portion that produces the best sentence.
The physics conference, an annual gathering of elite minds, was the highlight of the year for forty world-class professors and myself.
for forty world-class professors and me.
for forty world-class professors as well as for myself.
for forty world-class professors, including myself.
for forty world-class professors and myself.
both for me as well as forty world-class professors.
for forty world-class professors and me.
Never use "myself" as a simple subject (for "I") or object (for "me")—it should only be used in very particular circumstances. Use "myself" (and other pronouns ending in "self") only reflexively (where the subject and object are the same person, as in "I see myself") or to add emphasis ("I myself was there!").
Example Question #51 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Everybody knows someone who has hated themself.
people who hate themself.
people who have hated themselves.
people having hated themselves.
someone who hates themself.
someone who having hated themselves.
people who have hated themselves.
The problem with the underlined portion is the conflation of "someone" and "themself." This confusingly places a plural, "them," into a singular form to match it with "someone." To clean up this awkward phrasing, the best choice among the answers is "people who have hated themselves."
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