SAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

One should always guard your valuables when traveling in a crowded placeNo error

Possible Answers:

when traveling

always

No error

a crowded place

your

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

This sentence uses both "you" and "one" to give general advice. These should be kept consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "One should always guard one's valuables when traveling in a crowded place."

Example Question #52 : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

When one is in the library, lower your voice so as not to disturb others. No error

Possible Answers:

When

to disturb others.

in the library

one

No error

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

The words "one and "you" are both acceptable pronouns, but they should not be used as pronouns in the same sentence because the third-person pronoun "you" does not agree with "one."

Example Question #71 : Identifying Pronoun Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

One should never underestimate the worth of double-checking your work. No error

Possible Answers:

your

double-checking

the worth

No error

never

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

This sentence uses both "one" and "you" as pronouns. These should be kept consistent—that is, if a sentence uses one of these pronouns, it should not suddenly start using the other afterwards. Changing "your" to "one's" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "One should never underestimate the worth of double-checking one's work."

Example Question #241 : Psat Writing Skills

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment one feels after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort. No error

Possible Answers:

one feels

is

Although learning

challenging

No error

Correct answer:

one feels

Explanation:

This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun “your” and the general pronoun “one.” These should stay consistent; if you begin by using one of these words as a pronoun in a sentence, you shouldn't suddenly switch to using the other. The corrected sentence reads: "Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment you feel after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort."

Example Question #11 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures. No error

Possible Answers:

are based

various

research study

No error

your

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

This sentence first introduces the possessive pronoun "one's" in "one's taste expectations," but later, it switches to using the possessive pronoun "your" in "your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures." If you begin using one of these pronouns in a sentence, you should be consistent and only use that pronoun in that grammatical situation for the rest of the sentence; switching from one to the other mid-sentence is grammatically incorrect. To correct the sentence, you could either change "one's" to "your" or "your" to "one's"—either swap would result in a consistent use of one of the pronouns. One version of the corrected sentence would read, "The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of one’s prior experience with foods of various colors and textures."

Example Question #73 : Identifying Pronoun Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

One should never allow your work responsibilities to be taken over by another person. No error

Possible Answers:

to be taken over

should never

your

another

No error

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts out with the subject “one” and changes to the possessive “your,” but these should refer to the same thing. The corrected sentence reads, "One should never allow one’s work responsibilities to be taken over by another person."

Example Question #61 : Identifying Pronoun Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

One cannot see the conditions in a sweatshop and truthfully say you think they are acceptable work conditions for any human being. No error

Possible Answers:

any

they

No error

truthfully

One

Correct answer:

One

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence is not consistent throughout the sentence.  At the beginning of the sentence, it refers to "one" but later changes to "you."  As changing the word "you" that is used later in the sentence is not an option, "one" is the incorrect word in this sentence. The sentence should read, "You cannot see the conditions in a sweatshop and truthfully say you think they are acceptable work conditions for any human being."

Example Question #61 : Identifying Usage Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

One might try to adopt a baby lion, but you should be prepared for it to become quite ferocious when it grows up. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

it

you

might try

when

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts about speaking generally about “one,” then switches to a second-person “you.” The corrected sentence reads, "One might try to adopt a baby lion, but one should be prepared for it to become quite ferocious when it grows up."

Example Question #62 : Identifying Usage Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, one quickly learns that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company. No error

Possible Answers:

one

No error

their

Although

is

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun (“you”) and the more general “one.” It’s better to keep these consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, you will quickly learn that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company."

Example Question #63 : Identifying Usage Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

One’s basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome your preference to work independentlyNo error

Possible Answers:

independently

need for

will never overcome

One's

No error

Correct answer:

One's

Explanation:

This sentence switches between a general pronoun “one’s” and the second person pronoun “your.” These should remain consistent. The corrected sentence reads: "Your basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome one’s preference to work independently."

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