SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #287 : 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.
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
one
their
is
Although
No error
one
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 #288 : 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.
One’s basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome your preference to work independently. No error
One's
No error
will never overcome
independently
need for
One's
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."
Example Question #289 : 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's eyes grow heavy with sleep, it's important for you to find a pillow quickly.
quickly
No error
it's
grow heavy
you
you
"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 #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.
One must understand that even if it seems like your life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone. No error
No error
will never be
your
could happen to anyone
must understand
your
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 #82 : 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
many other
When
No error
of various vehicles
you
you
"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 #83 : 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.
Although you have the highest grade in the class, one should still study for the final exam. No error
should
one
No error
have
for the final exam
one
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 #84 : 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.
Whenever you are about to undertake some new task, one should consider whether or not there is time to complete it. No error
undertake
Whenever
or not
No error
one
one
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 #85 : 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.
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
he had grown huge and rotund
No error
but
that his owners could hold in one hand
as it matured
as it matured
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 #86 : 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 one loses a friend or family member, they should seek out others who have experienced similar losses. No error
others who
No error
loses a friend
they should
have experienced
they should
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 #87 : 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.
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
The couches, carpets, and wallpaper in her house
often feels
are
when you step in the door
each an alarming shade of pink
when you step in the door
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."
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