PSAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bianca and the sister were at odds because although they were members of the same family, they felt differently about their parents' divorce. No error
the sister
No error
their
because
differently
the sister
The error in this sentence arises where we are told that Bianca and her sister disagree over their parents' divorce, but her sister is presented abstractly; the correct usage of "her sister" allows the individual mentioned to be presented in relation to Bianca. Without the "her," we cannot be certain what the relation is, although it is clearly indicated elsewhere in the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Since Molly won first place and Meg won second, she was honored at the awards ceremony after dinner. No error
at
she was
No error
after dinner
won
she was
This sentence has an ambiguous pronoun. To whom does "she" refer? You could fix this either by referring to both women with "they," if it is indeed the case that both were honored at the awards ceremony after dinner, or by replacing "she" with the name of the woman being specified.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Mr. Harris told Mr. Jarvins that at the latest staff meeting, the owner of the company expressed a strong interest in promoting him to a senior executive position. No error
expressed
interest in
him
No error
executive
him
This sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. We don't know whether "him" refers to Mr. Harris or Mr. Jarvins, so "him" is the error in the sentence. If we wanted to fix the error, we would have to replace "him" with the unique name of the person—Mr. Harris or Mr. Jarvins—being considered for the promotion.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jim and Tommy were late to work for the fourth time that week, since they had to pick her up at the airport and her flight was late. No error
her
since
they
were
No error
her
This is an ambiguous pronoun. We are not sure to whom "her" refers. The sentence should use her name.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many experts advocate changing how children learn to write, theorizing that they will have more success in the long run. No error
theorizing
they
to write
No error
changing
they
"They" is an ambiguous pronoun reference—it could refer to either "experts" or "children."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After the party, Janet organized her bedroom, collected several bags of clothing for donation, and drove it to the local thrift store. No error
it
After the party,
donation, and
No error
bedroom, collected
it
The error in this sentence is the use of the word "it" to refer to "several bags of clothing." In this case, the pronoun—"it"— is singular when it should be plural ("them").
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