SAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #31 : 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.
One must stay focused on your's future, because if one allows distractions to take over nothing will come of it.
You must stay focused on his future,
One must stay focused on your future,
One must stay focused on your's future,
One must stay focused on one's future,
One must stay focused on yours future,
One must stay focused on one's future,
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence that comes first 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 must stay focused on one's future, because if one allows distractions to take over nothing will come of it."
Example Question #1741 : 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.
If you have a hard time staying focused in class, one must try certain techniques to improve.
If you have a hard time staying focused in class, one must try certain techniques to improve.
If you have a hard time staying focused in class; and they must try certain techniques to improve.
If you have a hard time staying focused in class, you must try certain techniques to improve.
If you have a hard time staying focused in class; one must try certain techniques to improve.
If you have a hard time staying focused in class: one must try certain techniques to improve.
If you have a hard time staying focused in class, you must try certain techniques to improve.
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that appears first 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, "If you have a hard time staying focused in class, you must try certain techniques to improve."
Example Question #101 : Other 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.
When we have purpose in our lives, they can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled.
they can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled
you can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled
she can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled
we can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled
one can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled
we can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled
The sentence begins with the pronoun "We" but switches to the pronoun "they." We must therefore change the second pronoun to "we" in order to maintain grammatical consistency.
Example Question #151 : Correcting Pronoun Errors
The newspaper was delivered every morning to him and I.
from him and I.
to he and I.
to me and him.
for him and I.
to he and me.
to me and him.
The underlined portion of the sentence is the object, and both words need to be in the objective form. "Him" is objective, but "I" should only be used as a subject. The correct answer is "to me and him."
Example Question #401 : Improving Sentences
Me and you have never seen eye to eye on any issue.
You and I
I and You
Me and you
You and me
You, me
You and I
The problem with the sentence is in the two pronouns underlined. The correct usage of the first person pronoun as an object is "I," not "me." Additionally, "you" should come before "I."
Example Question #31 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors
In the sentence below, select the phrasing of the underlined portion that produces the best sentence.
I know that Trudy is generally a kind girl, but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.
but she and me have never enjoyed spending time together.
but her and I have never enjoyed spending time together.
but her and me have never enjoyed spending time together.
but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.
but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.
but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.
The speaker and Trudy together form the subject of the underlined clause, and so both pronouns need to be subject pronouns. Of the options given here, "she and I" is the only one where this is the case ("we," of course, would also work).
Example Question #151 : Correcting Pronoun Errors
Us and them are going to join together for the greater good.
Us and they
Them and we
Them and us
They and we
Us and them
They and we
The pronouns "us" and "them" are actually the object forms of their respective pronouns, but are used as the subjects of the sentence. Both words need to be changed into the subject forms. The correct answer choice is "They and we."
Example Question #31 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors
Me and you have to go to the store.
Me and you has
You and I have
You and I has
Me and you have
You and me have
You and I have
"Me" is always appropriately used as the object of a sentence, while it is used in this sentence as the subject. The first person subjective pronoun "I" must be used instead. "You and I have" is the only answer choice that does this and uses the appropriate verb form "have."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
Him and I are going to make the case in the morning for tougher standards.
Him and I are gone
He and I are going
Him and I are going
I and him are going
Him and I going
He and I are going
The use of the pronoun "him" in the subject of the sentence is incorrect, as "him" should only be used as the object of the sentence. The proper third person male pronoun for the subject of the sentence is "he," making "He and I are going" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
She and him have been bitter enemies since they were children in Little League.
She and him has been
She and him having been
She and he have been
She and he having been
She and him have been
She and he have been
The use of the pronoun "him" is incorrect in the sentence, as it used as the subject, but can only be used as the object of the sentence. The pronoun needs to be changed to "he," but otherwise the sentence is absolutely correct. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "She and he have been."
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