SAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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 old car's engine was about to give out, but we didn't want to drive it around anyway.

Possible Answers:

or we didn't want to drive it around anyway.

yet we didn't want to drive it around anyway.

but we didn't want to drive them around anyway.

but we didn't want to drive the car around anyway.

but we didn't want to drive it around anyway.

Correct answer:

but we didn't want to drive the car around anyway.

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the antecedent of the pronoun "it" is unclear. It does not make sense to drive a car's engine around (it might make sense to drive an engine to be delivered or repaired, but not just to take it out for a scenic meander). Clearly what the author of the sentence is trying to indicate is that they do not want to drive the car around. In order to clear up the ambiguity, you must use a noun instead of a pronoun. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but we didn't want to drive the car around anyway."

Example Question #21 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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.

Eagerly, the young woman called in during the Bible Warrior Telethon, but he didn't answer.

Possible Answers:

but the Telethon didn't answer. 

but the Reverend didn't answer. 

but she didn't answer. 

but he did not answer. 

but he didn't answer.

Correct answer:

but the Reverend didn't answer. 

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the word "he" does not refer to any antecedent in the sentence, therefore, a noun must replace it in order to avoid ambiguity. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but the Reverend didn't answer."

Example Question #282 : Improving Sentences

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.

I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that it can be fixed promptly.

Possible Answers:

I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that she can be fixed promptly.

I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that he can be fixed promptly.

I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that the drill can be fixed promptly.

I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that it can be fixed promptly.

I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that you can be fixed promptly.

Correct answer:

I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that the drill can be fixed promptly.

Explanation:

Whenever you have multiple antecedents in a sentence, you must be extremely clear with pronoun usage in order to avoid any ambiguity. In the sentence above, "it" could refer to either "the drill" or "the trunk." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that the drill can be fixed promptly."

Example Question #22 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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.

George and Wilfred are both incredibly talented wrestlers, but he is definitely stronger.

Possible Answers:

but they are definitely stronger.

but he is definitely stronger.

but you is definitely stronger.

but Wilfred is definitely stronger.

but she is definitely stronger.

Correct answer:

but Wilfred is definitely stronger.

Explanation:

Sentence with multiple antecedents must be extremely clear in their pronoun usage in order to avoid any ambiguity. In the sentence above, "he" could refer to either "George" or "Wilfred." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but Wilfred is definitely stronger."

Example Question #23 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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 Burger Shoppe was out of food, but we wanted to try to eat it anyway, so we broke in.

Possible Answers:

but we wanted to try to eat Burger Shoppes anyway,

but we wanted to try to eat Burger Shoppe's food anyway,

but we wanted to try to eat them anyway,

but we wanted to try to eat Burger Shoppe's anyway,

but we wanted to try to eat it anyway,

Correct answer:

but we wanted to try to eat Burger Shoppe's food anyway,

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the antecedent of the pronoun "them" is unclear. It does not make sense to eat a Burger Shoppe restaurant. Clearly what the author of the sentence is trying to indicate is that they need to eat some food, probably from Burger Shoppe. In order to clear up the ambiguity, you must use a noun instead of a pronoun. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but we wanted to try to eat Burger Shoppe's food anyway."

Example Question #285 : Improving Sentences

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 principal emailed William's father's computer to let him know his son was missing from school again, but he never responded.  

Possible Answers:

The principal emailed William's father's computers to let him know his son was missing from school again,

The principal emailed William's father to let him know his son was missing from school again,

The principal emailed William's father's computer to let him know his son was missing from school again,

The principal emailed Williams' computer to let him know his son was missing from school again,

The principal emailed Williams father's computer to let him know his son was missing from school again,

Correct answer:

The principal emailed William's father to let him know his son was missing from school again,

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the antecedent of the pronoun "him" is unclear. "Him" cannot refer to a computer, as computers are genderless (for now). Clearly what the author of the sentence is trying to indicate is that the principal had to email "William's father," but William's father never responded. In order to clear up the ambiguity, you must clarify the antecedent. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "The principal emailed William's father to let him know his son was missing from school again."

Example Question #24 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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.

Many people knew that the old hermit was poor, but he was perfectly content: it never bothered him.

Possible Answers:

but he was perfectly content: poverty never bothered him.

but he was perfectly content: it never bothered him.

but he was perfectly content, it never bothered him.

but he was perfectly content: them never bothered him.

but he was perfectly content, for it never bothered him.

Correct answer:

but he was perfectly content: poverty never bothered him.

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the word "it" does not refer to any antecedent in the sentence. Therefore, it has no proper antecedent, and it must be replaced by a noun in order to avoid ambiguity. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but he was perfectly content: poverty never bothered him."

Example Question #25 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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 man protested the new factory by chaining himself to a tree and shouting curses; they were not impressed by his fulminating.  

Possible Answers:

they weren't impressed by his fulminating.

they were not impressed, by his fulminating.

them were not impressed by his fulminating.

the owners were not impressed by his fulminating.

they were not impressed by his fulminating. 

Correct answer:

the owners were not impressed by his fulminating.

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the word "they" cannot refer to any antecedent existing in the sentence, since the only pronoun is singular, and no groups of people are mentioned. Therefore, "they" has no proper antecedent, and must be replaced by a noun in order to avoid ambiguity. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "the owners were not impressed by his fulminating."

Example Question #26 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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.

I want you to take your notebook out of the bag so that I can write my name on it.

Possible Answers:

I can wrote my name on it.

I can write my name on it.

I can write my name on her.

I can write my name on the notebook.

I can write my name on him.

Correct answer:

I can write my name on the notebook.

Explanation:

Whenever you have multiple antecedents in a sentence, you must be extremely clear with pronoun usage in order to avoid any ambiguity. In the sentence above, "it" could refer to either "the notebook" or "the bag." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "I can write my name on the notebook."

Example Question #27 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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.

Paul and Mark both have to go home for the summer from camp, but his offense was much more serious.

Possible Answers:

but their offense was much more serious.

but his offense was much more serious.

but Paul's offense was much more serious.

but Paul's offense was much seriouser.

but his offense was much seriouser.

Correct answer:

but Paul's offense was much more serious.

Explanation:

Whenever you have multiple antecedents in a sentence, you must be extremely clear with pronoun usage in order to avoid any ambiguity. In the sentence above, "his" could refer to either "Paul" or "Mark." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but Paul's offense was much more serious."

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