SAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #64 : 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.

When one's eyes grow heavy with sleep, it's important for you to find a pillow quickly.

Possible Answers:

No error

grow heavy

quickly

it's

you

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

"You" does not agree with "one's." When using "one" as a pronoun to speak about an assumed general person, remember not to lapse into using the pronoun "you."

Example Question #66 : 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 must understand that even if it seems like your life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyoneNo error

Possible Answers:

could happen to anyone

your

must understand

No error

will never be

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

This sentence uses “one” and “you” interchangeably. These should stay consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "One must understand that even if it seems like one’s life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone."

Example Question #81 : 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.

When deciding what kind of car to buy, you must consider many different aspects of various vehicles, including milage, size, cost, and many other important details which might affect one's decision. No error

Possible Answers:

of various vehicles

many other

you

No error

When

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

"One" should be used in place of "you" in this sentence. When a setence is referring to a person nonspecifically in reference to an action, "one" should be used because "you" is a more direct pronoun used for talking directly to someone. Plus, "one" is used later in the sentence, and it is not correct to switch to using "one" in place of "you" (or vice-versa) in mid-sentence. So, "you" contains the error.

Example Question #68 : 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 have the highest grade in the class, one should still study for the final exam. No error

Possible Answers:

one

have

should

No error

for the final exam

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

The pronouns in a sentence must agree. If you use "you" to refer to one person, you cannot use "one" to refer to the same person in the same sentence.

Example Question #291 : Identifying Sentence Errors

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

Whenever you are about to undertake some new task, one should consider whether or not there is time to complete it. No error

Possible Answers:

Whenever

or not

No error

one

undertake

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

In this sentence, the generic/impersonal pronouns are used to give general advice to anyone rather than some person in particular. Both "you" and "one" are considered appropriate impersonal pronouns, but they must be used consistently for a sentence to be grammatically correct. In the above sentence, either the instance of "you" should be changed to "one" or the instance of "one" should be changed to "you," but only "one" is underlined, so that is the only correct answer.

Example Question #65 : 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.

Billy the cat used to be a tiny kitten that his owners could hold in one hand, but he had grown huge and rotund as it matured, and now his owners were barely able to pick him up at all. No error

Possible Answers:

that his owners could hold in one hand

No error

he had grown huge and rotund

as it matured

but

Correct answer:

as it matured

Explanation:

This sentence's error occurs in the phrase "as it matured." Since Billy the cat is referred to as "he" in the rest of the sentence, it doesn't make sense to suddenly refer to him as "it" in this phrase. Changing "it" to "he" would correct the sentence's error.

Example Question #292 : Identifying Sentence 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 loses a friend or family member, they should seek out others who have experienced similar losses. No error

Possible Answers:

others who

No error

loses a friend

have experienced

they should

Correct answer:

they should

Explanation:

Because the singular pronoun "one" is used to describe the subject at the beginning of the sentence, the plural pronoun "they" cannot be used to describe the same subject. Therefore, in order for the sentence to be correct, "they should," would have to be replaced with "one should."

Example Question #27 : 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 couches, carpets, and wallpaper in her house are each an alarming shade of pink; one often feels as if one has walked into a palace made of cotton candy when you step in the door. No error

Possible Answers:

when you step in the door

often feels

The couches, carpets, and wallpaper in her house

are

each an alarming shade of pink

Correct answer:

when you step in the door

Explanation:

The error in this sentence has to do with using both "one" and "you" as pronouns in a single sentence. Once you being using one of these pronouns in a sentence, you should stick with it and not switch to using the other one in mid-sentence. This sentence's latter half begins with "one" and uses the phrase "as if one has walked," but near the end, it switches to using "you" when it says "when you step in the door." To correct this sentence's error, "when you step in the door" should be changed to "when one steps in the door."

Example Question #293 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

One must do what one can for your country; it's incredibly important. NO ERROR

 

Possible Answers:

important.

do what 

country;

your

NO ERROR

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

In the first part of the sentence, the writer begins using the pronoun "one."  This usage should be kept consistent throughout the sentence, so the introduction of "your" is erroneous and should be corrected.

Example Question #294 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

You must be consistent in your actions, because the people will not respect ambivalent leadership. NO ERROR

 

Possible Answers:

actions, because

NO ERROR

consistent

your

will not

Correct answer:

NO ERROR

Explanation:

In the sentence above, "you" is used, as is "your." This is consistent usage of the same pronoun, and the sentence is correct as it is written.

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