SAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #123 : 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.

If you want to take control of your life, one must stop letting other people dictate your behavior.

Possible Answers:

one must stop letting other people dictate your behavior.

one must stop letting other people dictate one's behavior.

one must stop letting other people dictate his or her behavior.

you must stop letting other people dictate your behavior.

one must stop, letting other people dictate your behavior.

Correct answer:

you must stop letting other people dictate your behavior.

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "you," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "you must stop letting other people dictate your behavior."

Example Question #124 : 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.

One often pauses to determine what the best course of action is, because you must always take stock of a situation before making a final decision.

Possible Answers:

because you must always takes stock of a situation before making a final decision.

because you must always take stocks of a situation before making a final decision.

because you must always take stock of a situation before making a final decision.

because one must always take stock of a situation before making a final decision.

because they must always take stock of a situation before making a final decision.

Correct answer:

because one must always take stock of a situation before making a final decision.

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "you," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "because one must always take stock of a situation before making a final decision."

Example Question #124 : 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.

You really must stop being so generous with all of your friends, or one will end up broke in your old age!

Possible Answers:

or one will end up broke in your old age!

or one will end up broke in one's old age!

or you will end up broke in your old age!

and one will end up broke in your old age!

for one will end up broke in one's old age!

Correct answer:

or you will end up broke in your old age!

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "you," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "or you will end up broke in your old age!"

Example Question #125 : 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.

When one cannot stay focused while working on an assignment, your risks the ire of the big boss.

Possible Answers:

your action risks the ire of the big boss.

you risks the ire of the big boss.

you risk the ire of the big boss.

your risks the ire of the big boss.

one risks the ire of the big boss.

Correct answer:

one risks the ire of the big boss.

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "one," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "one risks the ire of the big boss."

Example Question #126 : 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.

Back in the day, one could either get on board with the will of the Roman senate, or you could die defying them.

Possible Answers:

or you would die defying them.

or your could die defying them.

or you could die deifying them.

or you could dies defying them.

or one could die defying them.

Correct answer:

or one could die defying them.

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "one," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "or one could die defying them."

Example Question #127 : 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.

You cannot continue to imbibe with such regularity; it is not good for one.

Possible Answers:

it is not good for you.

it isn't good for one.

it's not good for one.

it is not well for you.

it is not good for one

Correct answer:

it is not good for you.

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "you," and this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "it is not good for you."

Note that the pronoun must remain consistent even though both clauses are independent because they are joined into one sentence by the semicolon.

Example Question #128 : 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.

If at first you don't succeed, one must try again until you achieve success.

Possible Answers:

one's must try again until you achieve success.

one must try again until one achieves success.

ones must try again until you achieve success.

one must tries again until you achieve success.

you must try again until you achieve success.

Correct answer:

you must try again until you achieve success.

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "you," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "you must try again until you achieve success."

Example Question #131 : 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.

When one treats others with an utter lack of respect, you make everyone incredibly angry.

Possible Answers:

one makes everyone incredibly angry.

you make everyone incredible angry.

one makes everyone incredibly angry.

you make everyones incredibly angry.

you make everyone incredibly angry.

Correct answer:

one makes everyone incredibly angry.

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "one," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "one makes everyone incredibly angry."

Example Question #1731 : Sat Writing

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.

You must be above all reproach if one intends to make a serious run for office.

Possible Answers:

You must be above all reproaches if one intend to make a serious run for office.

You must be above all reproaches if one intends to make a serious run for office.

You must be above all reproach if one intend to make a serious run for office.

You must be above all reproach if you intend to make a serious run for office.

You must be above all reproach if one intends to make a serious run for office.

Correct answer:

You must be above all reproach if you intend to make a serious run for office.

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "you," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "You must be above all reproach if you intend to make a serious run for office."

 

Example Question #133 : Correcting Word 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.

One might assume one is dealing with a psychopath, if you encounter an individual wholly without empathy.

Possible Answers:

if he or she encounters an individual wholly without empathy.

if one encounter an individual wholly without empathy.

and you encounter an individual wholly without empathy.

if they encounter an individual wholly without empathy.

if you encounter an individual wholly without empathy.

Correct answer:

if one encounter an individual wholly without empathy.

Explanation:

The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "one," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. In questions of this type look to the first pronoun used in a sentence, if that pronoun is not underlined it is the pronoun with which the rest of the pronouns in the sentence must be used. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "One might assume one is dealing with a psychopath, if one encounter an individual wholly without consequence."

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