SAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #1351 : Correcting Grammatical 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.

Our dad's detailed lectures were rarely understood by my brother and I.

Possible Answers:

by me and my brother.

by I and my brother.

by my brother and myself.

by my brother and I.

for my brother and I.

Correct answer:

by me and my brother.

Explanation:

The key issue in the underlined portion of the sentence is the use of the first person pronoun, "I." "I" is the subjective form, but is used as an object in the sentence. Thus, it needs to be changed to the object form "me," making "for me and my brother" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #651 : Sentence Correction

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 negotiations were specifically targeted to attack he and I.

Possible Answers:

to attack me and him.

to attack him and I.

for attacking he and I.

to attack he and me.

to attack he and I.

Correct answer:

to attack me and him.

Explanation:

The use of both "he" and "I" is absolutely incorrect, as both pronouns are subjective pronouns that should only be used as the subject of the sentence. Both pronouns should be changed to the objective forms. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "to attack me and him."

Example Question #652 : Sentence Correction

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.

For he and I, the most important issue is the debate over voting rights.

Possible Answers:

For him and I,

For me and him,

For he and I,

For he and me,

For I and he,

Correct answer:

For me and him,

Explanation:

The underlined introductory phrase features two subjective pronouns, "he" and "I," but an introductory phrase does not contain the subject of the sentence. Both pronouns need to be changed to the appropriate objective pronouns, making "For me and him" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #191 : 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.

John commented, “Our preference for the same foods leads me to believe that you and me have a great deal in common.”

Possible Answers:

to believing that you and I have a great deal in common."

 

to believe that yourself and I have a great deal in common."

to believe that you and me have a great deal in common."

to believe that you and I have a great deal in common." 

to believing that you and me have a great deal in common." 

Correct answer:

to believe that you and I have a great deal in common." 

Explanation:

“Believing” would constitute an incorrect gerund usage. “Me” must be changed to “I” because it is the nominative case pronoun.

Example Question #51 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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.

He and her would have been a great couple if they'd lived in the same state.

Possible Answers:

He and her would have been

He and her were have been

Him and her would have been

He and her would have be

He and she would have been

Correct answer:

He and she would have been

Explanation:

The word "her" should never be used in the subject of a sentence, only the object. "She" is the correct form of the female singular pronoun when used in the subject. "He" is already correct in the original sentence and should not be changed.

Example Question #52 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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.

Everyone had prepared for the apocalyptic fallout except I.

Possible Answers:

except me

accept I

accept me

except I

except, me

Correct answer:

except me

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "I" in the second part of the sentence should be "me" as the pronoun is the object of that clause, rather than its subject. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "except me."

Example Question #53 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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 still don't get it: who was Hecuba and why was her worth weeping about?

Possible Answers:

her worth weeping, about?

she worth weeping about?

she worth, weeping about?

her worth weeping about?

her worth, weeping about?

Correct answer:

she worth weeping about?

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "her" in the second 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 underlined portion above is: "she worth weeping about?"

Example Question #54 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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.

Paul and me always have a good time together, but lately he's been a little forlorn about his dead dog. 

Possible Answers:

Paul and me always have a good time together:

Paul and me always have a good time together;

Paul and I always have a good time together,

Paul or me always have a good time together,

Paul and me always have a good time together,

Correct answer:

Paul and I always have a good time together,

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "me" in the first part of the sentence should be "I" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "Paul and I always have a good time together,"

Example Question #55 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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 best way for she to move forward is to stop arguing and get it together. 

Possible Answers:

The best way for she

The best way for them

The best way for he

The best way for her

The best way for they

Correct answer:

The best way for her

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "she" in the first part of the sentence should be "her" as the pronoun is the object of that clause, rather than its subject. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "The best way for her"

Example Question #56 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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.

Johnny does not work hard enough in his classes, and him will have a hard time in the future.

Possible Answers:

and he will have a hard time in the future.

and him will had a hard time in the future.

and her will have a hard time in the future.

and she will have a hard time in the future.

and him will have a hard time in the future.

Correct answer:

and he will have a hard time in the future.

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "him" in the second part of the sentence should be "he" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "and he will have a hard time in the future."

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