SAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors
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Example Question #371 : 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.
If you want to go far in life, one must be willing to seize each and every opportune moment.
some must be willing to seize each and every opportune moment.
one must be willing to seize each and every opportune moment.
you must be willing to seize each and every opportune moment.
one must are willing to seize each and every opportune moment.
one must be willing to seizes each and every opportune moment.
you must be willing to seize each and every opportune moment.
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 willing to seize each and every opportune moment."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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 a man loves his wife, she has a duty to defend her at all costs.
he has a duty to defend her at all costs.
she has a duty to defends her at all costs.
she has a duty to defend her At All Costs.
she has a duty to defend her at all costs.
he has a duty to defend him at all costs.
he has a duty to defend her at all costs.
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "his," which refers back to the antecedent "man." To avoid inconsistency/pronoun-antecedent errors, male pronouns should be used throughout the sentence. This also reflects the content, and intent, of the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "he has a duty to defend her at all costs."
Example Question #382 : 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 sent those boys down to the store to do their shopping; in spite of my perfectly clear instructions, he came back empty handed.
in spite of my perfectly clear instructions, they came back empty handed.
In spite of my perfectly clear instructions, she came back empty handed.
in spite of my perfectly clear instructions: he came back empty handed.
in spite of my perfectly clear instructions, he or she came back empty handed.
in spite of my perfectly clear instructions, he came back empty handed.
in spite of my perfectly clear instructions, they came back empty handed.
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "their," and to avoid any inconsistency errors/pronoun antecedent errors, plural pronouns should be used throughout the sentence. After the first sentence, many boys did not become one boy. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "in spite of my perfectly clear instructions, they came back empty handed."
Example Question #121 : 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.
one must stop letting other people dictate his or her behavior.
one must stop letting other people dictate one's behavior.
you must stop letting other people dictate your behavior.
one must stop, letting other people dictate your behavior.
one must stop letting other people dictate your behavior.
you must stop letting other people dictate your behavior.
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 #384 : 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.
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.
because you must always take stocks of a situation before making a final decision.
because you must always takes 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.
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.
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 #381 : 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.
You really must stop being so generous with all of your friends, or one will end up broke in your old age!
or you will end up broke in your old age!
or one will end up broke in one's old age!
or one will end up broke in your old age!
for one will end up broke in one's old age!
and one will end up broke in your old age!
or you will end up broke in your old age!
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 #122 : 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.
one risks the ire of the big boss.
you risk the ire of the big boss.
you risks the ire of the big boss.
your risks the ire of the big boss.
your action risks the ire of the big boss.
one risks the ire of the big boss.
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 #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.
Back in the day, one could either get on board with the will of the Roman senate, or you could die defying them.
or you could die deifying them.
or your could die defying them.
or you would die defying them.
or you could dies defying them.
or one could die defying them.
or one could die defying them.
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 #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 cannot continue to imbibe with such regularity; it is not good for one.
it's not good for one.
it isn't good for one.
it is not well for you.
it is not good for one
it is not good for you.
it is not good for you.
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 #386 : 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.
If at first you don't succeed, one must try again until you achieve success.
you must try again until you achieve success.
ones must try again until you achieve success.
one must try again until one achieves success.
one must tries again until you achieve success.
one's must try again until you achieve success.
you must try again until you achieve success.
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."
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