PSAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

My father told Jon and I that we could keep the stray dog, but the responsibility of caring for it would fall on us. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

caring for it

fall on us

but

Jon and I

Correct answer:

Jon and I

Explanation:

The pronoun "I" should be changed to "me" because it is not the subject of the sentence, so the phrase "Jon and I" contains the sentence's error.

Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I was almost to the exit of the building, but standing between the doors and I was a gigantic security guard looking right at meNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

standing

exit of

looking right at me

the doors and I 

Correct answer:

the doors and I 

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong pronoun case. If a first person pronoun is the object of a preposition, it should be “me,” not “I.” The corrected sentence reads, "I was almost to the exit of the building, but standing between me and the doors was a gigantic security guard looking right at me."

Example Question #101 : 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.

At the start of the soccer season, Coach Stan paid a visit to my parents and I to explain why I was cut from varsity. No error

Possible Answers:

At

parents and I

paid a visit

No error

why

Correct answer:

parents and I

Explanation:

"Parents and I" is the object of the preposition "to," so it should instead be "parents and me."

Example Question #101 : 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.

My sister took my hand and solemnly swore that nothing would ever come between her and INo error

Possible Answers:

solemnly

hand and

would ever come

her and I

No error

Correct answer:

her and I

Explanation:

In this sentence, the wrong pronoun case is used. “I” is a subject, but here it appears as the object of a preposition. The corrected sentence reads: My sister took my hand and solemnly swore that nothing would ever come between her and me.

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.

There was a new person whom I had never seen before standing between my sister and I in the line. No error 

Possible Answers:

There was

whom

standing

and I

No error

Correct answer:

and I

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong case of pronoun. As an object, the first person pronoun should always be “me.” The corrected sentence reads, "There was a new person who I had never seen before standing between my sister and me in the line."

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