SAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

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Example Question #473 : 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.

Her and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out.

Possible Answers:

Her and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately I hope they can work it out.

She and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately I hope they can work it out.

Her and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately, I hope they can work it out.

She and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out.

Her and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out.

Correct answer:

She and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out.

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "her" in the first part of the sentence should be "she" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "She and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out."

Note also that a semicolon is correctly used to connect these two independent clauses into one compound sentence.

Example Question #474 : 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 need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; them have been waiting for a long time.

Possible Answers:

I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; them have been waiting for a long time.

I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers them have been waiting for a long time.

I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers, they have been waiting for a long time.

I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers they have been waiting for a long time.

I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; they have been waiting for a long time.

Correct answer:

I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; they have been waiting for a long time.

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "them" in the second part of the sentence should be "they" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; they have been waiting for a long time."

Note also that a semicolon correctly connects the two independent clauses in this sentence.

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