SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect 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 web designer never received their pay for the work completed on the restaurant’s webpage because the owners had declared bankruptcy. No error
their
never
declared
No error
because
their
In this sentence, “their” does not correspond to the antecedent “web designer.” The correct version of this sentence would use the phrase "his or her" or avoid use of a possessive personal pronoun altogether.
Example Question #12 : 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.
It is the flight attendant’s responsibility to make sure that they inform all passengers of the necessary safety precautions to take. No error
they inform
of the
It is
to take
No error
they inform
In this sentence, the plural pronoun “they” does not correspond to the singular antecedent “flight attendant.” To correct the error, one would need to change "they inform" to "he or she informs."
Example Question #231 : 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.
Jackie thought that the new traffic circle in the neighborhood was a terrible idea; Franklin thought it too. No error
No error
that
was
too
it
it
The wrong pronoun is used here after "thought," since we do not have a specific "it" to which to refer. The corrected sentence reads, "Jackie thought that the new traffic circle in the neighborhood was a terrible idea; Franklin thought so too."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A new player might take some time to internalize all of the complicated rules of the game, but they will become an expert with some practice. No error
they
complicated
take some time
but
No error
they
Here, the pronoun “they” does not agree in number with its antecedent, “a new player.” The pronoun is plural and the antecedent is singular. The corrected sentence might read: "A new player might take some time to internalize all of the complicated rules of the game, but he or she will become an expert with some practice."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When guests sleep in my room, they can have trouble sleeping through the night because you can hear the highway outside my window. No error
outside
they can
No error
through
you
you
In this sentence, the people who have trouble sleeping are the "guests." Therefore, in order to maintain continuity within the sentence, "you" should not be used, as "you" does not refer to the "guests." The plural third-person pronoun "they" should be used instead.
Example Question #32 : 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.
Any leader who inspires their constituents must do so by cultivating a sense of national pride and maintaining peace with neighboring states. No error
with
their
maintaining
do so
No error
their
The possessive pronoun "their" in this sentence is meant to refer to the noun "leader." Because"their" is plural whereas "leader" is singular, the pronoun should be singular as well—"his or her" instead of "their."
The answer choice "do so" is correct because it simply replaces a verb phrase mentioned earlier in the sentence—"inspire their constituents."
The answer choice "maintaining" is correct because it preserves the parallel structure started by "cultivating."
The answer choice "with" is correct because to say "peace with" something or someone is the proper use of the idiom.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect 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 members of the cleaning crew made the event enjoyable and safe for all, and it deserves our thanks. No error
made
No error
of
it deserves
enjoyable and safe
it deserves
In this sentence, it is easy to think that "it" refers to "cleaning crew," but since "cleaning crew" appears as the object of the preposition "of the cleaning crew" in the subject "the members of the cleaning crew," the plural noun "members" is actually the referent of the singular pronoun "it." To correct the sentence's error, "it" should be changed to "they," which agrees with plural antecedents. The corrected sentence reads, "The members of the cleaning crew made the event enjoyable and safe for all, and they deserve our thanks."
Example Question #34 : 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.
Jessica and Theresa hated doing her homework; however, once they were done they were allowed to play in the yard. No error
in the yard
homework; however, once
allowed
No error
her
her
The pronoun "her" does not agree in number with the plural subject, "Jessica and Theresa." It should be "their."
Example Question #35 : 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.
Little did he know that his two best friends, which had mistakenly thought it was his birthday, were waiting in the next room to surprise him. No error
No error
Little did he know that
were waiting
to surprise him
which
which
Since his friends are people, the relative pronoun “who” is more appropriate than “which.” The corrected sentence reads, "Little did he know that his two best friends, who had mistakenly thought it was his birthday, were waiting in the next room to surprise him."
Example Question #12 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Students which take too much initiative and participate in too many afterschool activities can sometimes stress themselves out to the point of exhaustion. No error
can
No error
themselves
which
in
which
Students are not things or concepts; they are people! When people are referenced, the word "who" or "whom" is used. Since the students are the subject, the word "which" should be replaced with "who."
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