SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #17 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

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

The teacher awarded extra credit to only Diana and I; the other students had not done a satisfactory job on the assignment. No error

Possible Answers:

satisfactory

No error

to only

Diana and I 

had not done

Correct answer:

Diana and I 

Explanation:

"Diana and I" are the objects of the preposition "to" and therefore must be in the objective case. "I" is in subjective case; the correct form of the first person pronoun here would be "me." "The teacher awarded extra credit to only Diana and me..."

Example Question #18 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

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

We heard some strange sounds coming from above; seconds later, a branch fell down and hit the ground right between me and RodneyNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

me and Rodney

later,

coming

above; seconds

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

There is no error in this sentence. The semicolon is appropriate, as the two clauses are both independent and there is no conjunction linking them. There is no preposition case error ("me" is correct because it is the object of the preposition "between"). The pronoun should be in objective case, which it is.

Example Question #111 : Identifying Pronoun Errors

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

The puppy ran all the way down to the river, splashed around for a bit, and returned to where me and Alicia were waiting. No error

Possible Answers:

bit, and

me and Alicia

No error

river,

ran

Correct answer:

me and Alicia

Explanation:

The first person pronoun here should be in subjective case, "I," as opposed to objective case, "me." 

A quick and easy way to test this is to simplify it as much as possible. Temporarily remove other nouns from this part of the sentence - would "where me was waiting" sound correct? No, so "me and Alicia" wouldn't be right either. "Where I was waiting" sounds fine, and it is - "Alicia and I" would be the correct replacement.

Example Question #112 : 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 animosity between Bob and I quickly disappeared after we talked to each other during break. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

Bob and I

between

after

we talked

Correct answer:

Bob and I

Explanation:

The preposition, in this case "between," must be followed by an indirect object pronoun, not the direct object pronoun "I." The correct version of this sentence would read: "The animosity between Bob and me..."

A quick test for pronoun case is to invert the order; one would never say "the animosity between I and Bob..."

Example Question #113 : 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 boomerang, which we launched at precisely the right angle, soared around the field and made a loop right back to Tony and INo error

Possible Answers:

Tony and I

No error

field and

which

angle,

Correct answer:

Tony and I

Explanation:

The pronoun should be in objective case because it is the object of the preposition "to." "I" is in subjective case and should be switched to "me."

You can simplify the Noun Phrase to make this less complicated. "To I" wouldn't be correct, so extend that - "To Tony and I" shouldn't be correct, either. "To me" sounds good, as does "To Tony and me."

Example Question #114 : Identifying Pronoun Errors

Whenever Suzie goes to visit her grandparents in the nursing home, her grandmother reminds her, "Speak up when you are talking to your grandfather or I!" No error

Possible Answers:

No error

grandparents

or I

reminds her,

Whenever

Correct answer:

or I

Explanation:

This sentence has an error in pronoun case. Pronouns are words that substitute for nouns and case describes the pronoun's role in a sentence. "Me" and "I" are both pronouns but they have different cases: "me" is used as the object in a sentence and "I" is used as the subject. In this sentence, "your grandfather and ___" is the object of the verb "talking," so "me" should be used instead of "I." A corrected sentence reads, "Whenever Suzie goes to visit her grandparents in the nursing home, her grandmother reminds her, 'Speak up when you are talking to your grandfather or me!'" 

Example Question #115 : 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.

Marlene loves to go on long walks along the beach; her is definitely your type. No error

Possible Answers:

her

beach;

Marlene loves 

definitely your type.

No error

Correct answer:

her

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 an object. The best way to correct the sentence above is:

"Marlene loves to go on long walks along the beach; she is definitely your type."

Example Question #116 : 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 people of this valley don't take kindly to strangers," said the Mayor. "Us folks like to keep to ourselves." No error

Possible Answers:

"Us folks

No error

ourselves."

"The people

said the Mayor.

Correct answer:

"Us folks

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "us" in the second quotation of the sentence should be "we" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is:

'"The people of this valley don't take kindly to strangers," said the Mayor. "We folks like to keep to ourselves."'

Example Question #117 : 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.

That dog was a noble beast; she was extremely loyal to my brother and I. No error

Possible Answers:

loyal to my

No error

beast;

and I.

That dog was

Correct answer:

and I.

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 sentence above is:

"That dog was a noble beast; she was extremely loyal to my brother and me."

Example Question #118 : 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. 

While it continues to be popular among motorists, SUVs are gradually being replaced by smaller, more efficient cars. No error

Possible Answers:

being replaced 

are

No error

smaller

While it continues 

Correct answer:

While it continues 

Explanation:

"SUVs," the subject of this sentence, is the plural form of SUV. Since we are dealing with a plural, it is incorrect to use the singular pronoun “it” at the beginning of the sentence. Rather, the plural form of the pronoun “they” must be used instead so that the sentence begins, “While they continue.” 

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