SAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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.

The author did not tell her husband that she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and he until it was published.

Possible Answers:

she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to both their daughter and he until it was published.

she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and he until it was published.

she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and him until it was published.

she had decided that she would dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and he until it was published.

she had decided on dedicating her latest novel to their daughter and he until it was published.

Correct answer:

she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and him until it was published.

Explanation:

Only the answer choice "she had decided to dedicate her latest novel to their daughter and him until it was published" correctly uses the pronoun "him," which is the objective case pronoun, as an object of the preposition "to."

All of the other answer choices use the pronoun "he," which is the subjective case pronoun, instead of "him," and are therefore incorrect.

Example Question #1681 : Act English

Rounding the corner, the pedestrian quickly saw the entirety of the cities skyline.

Possible Answers:

from the cities skyline.

of the cities skyline.

of the cities' skyline.

of the city's skyline.

of the cities skylines.

Correct answer:

of the city's skyline.

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence has an issue with the word "cities." The word is actually used as a possessive, instead of the plural form that is written in the sentence. The appropriate form is "of the city's skyline."

Example Question #71 : Pronoun Case 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.

She and him were trying to show that they were serious players in the financial market.

Possible Answers:

She and him were trying

She and he were trying

Her and him were trying

She and him was trying

Him and she were trying

Correct answer:

She and he were trying

Explanation:

The use of the objective pronoun "him" in the subject of the sentence is incorrect. The word should be changed to the subjective pronoun "he." As this is the only change that needs to be made in the sentence, "She and he were trying" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #191 : Correcting 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.

Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.

Possible Answers:

Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school for the tuition was so expensive. 

Between you and I, we couldn’t send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive. 

Between you and I, we cannot send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive. 

Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.

Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive. 

Correct answer:

Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive. 

Explanation:

After the preposition "between," one uses the objects pronouns "you" and "me."

Example Question #71 : Correcting 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Me and the general always took a stroll in the morning.

Possible Answers:

The general, I

Me and the general

The general and I

The general and me

I and the general

Correct answer:

The general and I

Explanation:

The underlined portion is an incorrect usage of "me." A good rule of thumb, and the best way to find the answer, is to see which pronoun is appropriate alone, "me" or "I." "The general and I" is the correct answer.

Example Question #81 : Pronoun 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.

She and him do not dance under any circumstances.

Possible Answers:

They do not

She and he do not

They does not

She and him does not

She and him do not

Correct answer:

They do not

Explanation:

Using "she and him" is always incorrect, as "she" is a subject and "him" is an object. The best way to fix this is to use "they" and its correct verb usage, "do not."

Example Question #72 : Pronoun Case 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.

Me and my best friend always went down to the river on Saturdays in the summer.

Possible Answers:

I and my best friend

My best friend and I

Me and my best friend

My best friend and us

My best friend and me

Correct answer:

My best friend and I

Explanation:

The use of "me" as a subject in a sentence is always incorrect. As a subject, "I" is the correct first person singular pronoun, and should always be the final subject when more than one is mentioned; therefore, "My best friend and I" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #41 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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.

Our dad's detailed lectures were rarely understood by my brother and I.

Possible Answers:

by my brother and I.

by I and my brother.

by my brother and myself.

for my brother and I.

by me and my brother.

Correct answer:

by me and my brother.

Explanation:

The key issue in the underlined portion of the sentence is the use of the first person pronoun, "I." "I" is the subjective form, but is used as an object in the sentence. Thus, it needs to be changed to the object form "me," making "for me and my brother" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #651 : Sentence Correction

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 negotiations were specifically targeted to attack he and I.

Possible Answers:

to attack me and him.

to attack him and I.

for attacking he and I.

to attack he and me.

to attack he and I.

Correct answer:

to attack me and him.

Explanation:

The use of both "he" and "I" is absolutely incorrect, as both pronouns are subjective pronouns that should only be used as the subject of the sentence. Both pronouns should be changed to the objective forms. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "to attack me and him."

Example Question #652 : Sentence Correction

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.

For he and I, the most important issue is the debate over voting rights.

Possible Answers:

For him and I,

For me and him,

For he and I,

For he and me,

For I and he,

Correct answer:

For me and him,

Explanation:

The underlined introductory phrase features two subjective pronouns, "he" and "I," but an introductory phrase does not contain the subject of the sentence. Both pronouns need to be changed to the appropriate objective pronouns, making "For me and him" the correct answer choice.

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