SAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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Example Question #71 : 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.
This has been a favorite band of me for a while.
Of myself for a while, this has been a favorite band.
For a while, this has been one of mine favorite bands.
This has been a favorite band of myself's for a while.
Of I, this has been a favorite band for a while.
This band has been a favorite of mine for a while.
This band has been a favorite of mine for a while.
Instead of using the first-person objective pronoun "me," the first-person possessive pronoun "mine" should be used in order to imply ownership of opinion in this sentence. So, the correct answer is, "This band has been a favorite of mine for a while."
Example Question #41 : 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.
If you ever see someone walking along this street at night trying to hitch a ride, make sure you don't pick them up.
he
him or her
him and her
them
they
him or her
"Someone" is singular, so a singular pronoun must be used to refer back to it. Because "someone" can be male or female, it's best to use the phrase "him or her."
Example Question #41 : 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.
After the team had them first big victory, the coach decided to go out for a celebration pizza dinner.
his
them
its
it's
their
its
"Team" is a singular word, so "them" must be replaced by a singular possessive pronoun.
Example Question #42 : 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.
Your sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?
Your sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?
Your sure you're dad told you what time you're mom would be home tonight, right?
You're sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?
You're sure you're dad told you what time you're mom would be home tonight, right?
You're sure your dad told you what time you're mom would be home tonight, right?
You're sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?
The first underlined part can be broken apart into "you are," and calls for the use of the contraction "you're;." The second two cases are possessives, and call for the use of "your."
Example Question #74 : Other 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.
In order to decrease scrutiny, the organization began holding all there press conferences in secret.
all there press conferences in secret.
all they are press conferences in secret.
all they're press conferences in secret.
all their press conferences in secret.
all of there press conferences in secret.
all their press conferences in secret.
The use of "there," which means a particular place, is incorrect in this sentence. The sentence is written in a way to indicate that "there" should be the third person plural possessive pronoun, "their." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "all their press conferences in secret."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
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 rains came so hard that there football game had to be delayed.
there own football game
their football game
there football game
there football games
they're football game
their football game
The use of "there" is absolutely incorrect in this sentence. What should be used is the third person plural possessive pronoun "their; therefore, "their football game" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #44 : 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Over the course of history, powerful people have always asserted their selves when a crisis has occurred.
their self
themselves
them
their selfs
their selves
themselves
"Their selves" means essentially their independent identities, and is not a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the "powerful people" Therefore, the correct answer is "themselves," which is just such a reflexive pronoun.
Example Question #81 : 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Few domesticated animals have the ability to fend for themselves without humans providing for themselves.
provide for them
providing themselves
providing for them
providing for themselves
provide for themselves
providing for them
"Themselves" is a referential pronoun, and the structure of the sentence would make it refer to "humans." For the sentence to make sense, the pronoun needs to indicate "domesticated animals" are the ones being provided for. "Providing for them" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #51 : 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
After the essay is written, please deliver a copy to ourselves.
to ours
to us
to ourselves
in ourselves
for ourselves
to us
The use of "ourselves" is incorrect, as it is a referential pronoun, meaning that the word must refer to an earlier use of the first person plural pronoun. The use at the end of the sentence is the first one, and should not be a referential pronoun. "To us" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #83 : Correcting Pronoun Errors
The long term failure of the treaty was largely assumed to be due to it's unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to it's unfavorable agreements among the weaker party.
because its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to it's unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to it's unfavorable agreements toward the weaker party.
due to its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
The sentence has an issue with the use of "it's" in the underlined portion. "It's" can only mean "it is" and never be the possessive, which can only be "its;" therefore, the correct answer choice is "due to its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party."
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