SAT Writing : Correcting Pronoun Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #465 : 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.
My family and me always have a grand old time at the State Fair.
I and my family always have a grand old time at the State Fair.
My family and me always have a great old time at the State Fair.
My family and me always have a grand old time at the State Fair.
Me and my family always have a grand old time at the State Fair.
My family and I always have a grand old time at the State Fair.
My family and I always have a grand old time at the State Fair.
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, "My family and I always have a grand old time at the State Fair."
Example Question #211 : 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 must stop being so petulant with the housekeeping; such behavior does not become one.
and such behavior does not become everyone.
because such behavior does not become one.
such behavior does not become one.
such behavior does not become them.
such behavior does not become you.
such behavior does not become you.
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is in the first part of the sentence 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 being so petulant with the housekeeping; such behavior does not become you."
Example Question #212 : 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.
I'm having a really bad day: please be a little nicer to I.
I'm having a really bad day, please be a little nicer to I.
I'm having a really bad day please be a little nicer to I.
I'm having a really bad day; please be a little nicer to I.
I'm having a really bad day: please be a little nicer to I.
I'm having a really bad day: please be a little nicer to me.
I'm having a really bad day: please be a little nicer to me.
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 sentence above is, "I'm having a really bad day: please be a little nicer to me."
Example Question #473 : 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.
Her and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out.
Her and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately I hope they can work it out.
She and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately I hope they can work it out.
Her and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately, I hope they can work it out.
She and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out.
Her and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out.
She and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "her" in the first 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 sentence above is, "She and her boyfriend are having a rough go of things lately; I hope they can work it out."
Note also that a semicolon is correctly used to connect these two independent clauses into one compound sentence.
Example Question #474 : 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 need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; them have been waiting for a long time.
I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; them have been waiting for a long time.
I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers them have been waiting for a long time.
I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers, they have been waiting for a long time.
I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers they have been waiting for a long time.
I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; they have been waiting for a long time.
I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; they have been waiting for a long time.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "them" in the second part of the sentence should be "they" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "I need you to bring the doughnuts over to those police officers; they have been waiting for a long time."
Note also that a semicolon correctly connects the two independent clauses in this sentence.
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