PSAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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Example Questions
Example Question #62 : 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.
Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, one quickly learns that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company. No error
one
No error
their
Although
is
one
This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun (“you”) and the more general “one.” It’s better to keep these consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, you will quickly learn that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company."
Example Question #63 : 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.
One’s basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome your preference to work independently. No error
independently
need for
will never overcome
One's
No error
One's
This sentence switches between a general pronoun “one’s” and the second person pronoun “your.” These should remain consistent. The corrected sentence reads: "Your basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome one’s preference to work independently."
Example Question #64 : 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.
When one's eyes grow heavy with sleep, it's important for you to find a pillow quickly.
No error
grow heavy
quickly
it's
you
you
"You" does not agree with "one's." When using "one" as a pronoun to speak about an assumed general person, remember not to lapse into using the pronoun "you."
Example Question #66 : 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.
One must understand that even if it seems like your life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone. No error
could happen to anyone
your
must understand
No error
will never be
your
This sentence uses “one” and “you” interchangeably. These should stay consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "One must understand that even if it seems like one’s life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone."
Example Question #81 : 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.
When deciding what kind of car to buy, you must consider many different aspects of various vehicles, including milage, size, cost, and many other important details which might affect one's decision. No error
of various vehicles
many other
you
No error
When
you
"One" should be used in place of "you" in this sentence. When a setence is referring to a person nonspecifically in reference to an action, "one" should be used because "you" is a more direct pronoun used for talking directly to someone. Plus, "one" is used later in the sentence, and it is not correct to switch to using "one" in place of "you" (or vice-versa) in mid-sentence. So, "you" contains the error.
Example Question #68 : 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.
Although you have the highest grade in the class, one should still study for the final exam. No error
one
have
should
No error
for the final exam
one
The pronouns in a sentence must agree. If you use "you" to refer to one person, you cannot use "one" to refer to the same person in the same sentence.
Example Question #65 : 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.
Billy the cat used to be a tiny kitten that his owners could hold in one hand, but he had grown huge and rotund as it matured, and now his owners were barely able to pick him up at all. No error
that his owners could hold in one hand
No error
he had grown huge and rotund
as it matured
but
as it matured
This sentence's error occurs in the phrase "as it matured." Since Billy the cat is referred to as "he" in the rest of the sentence, it doesn't make sense to suddenly refer to him as "it" in this phrase. Changing "it" to "he" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #27 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The couches, carpets, and wallpaper in her house are each an alarming shade of pink; one often feels as if one has walked into a palace made of cotton candy when you step in the door. No error
when you step in the door
often feels
The couches, carpets, and wallpaper in her house
are
each an alarming shade of pink
when you step in the door
The error in this sentence has to do with using both "one" and "you" as pronouns in a single sentence. Once you being using one of these pronouns in a sentence, you should stick with it and not switch to using the other one in mid-sentence. This sentence's latter half begins with "one" and uses the phrase "as if one has walked," but near the end, it switches to using "you" when it says "when you step in the door." To correct this sentence's error, "when you step in the door" should be changed to "when one steps in the door."
Example Question #32 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One often finds that one can’t study when people are talking near you, especially if those people are giggling or yelling. No error
you
are
especially if
No error
can't
you
You can't switch between "one" and "you." The sentence begins with "one" and has to keep using it for the remainder of the statement.
Example Question #71 : 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.
Riding your bicycle to work can help reduce one's carbon dioxide footprint. No error
one's
reduce
Riding
to work
can help reduce
one's
This sentence cannot decide who it's addressing; it uses both "your" and "one's." These should be kept consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "Riding your bicycle to work can help reduce your carbon dioxide footprint."
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