SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #264 : Identifying Sentence Errors

The court documents were brought to myself by the court stenographer when I asked.

Possible Answers:

bringing to myself

brought to myself

brought to I

brought to me

bringing to me

Correct answer:

brought to me

Explanation:

The use of "myself" in the sentence is incorrect. "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun, which means it needs an antecedent it refers to earlier in the sentence. There is no previous mention of a previous first person pronoun. That makes "brought to me" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #181 : 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.

The students were interested in the frogs they had been given for dissection, but most struggled to see it as scientific learning opportunities instead of gross, dead amphibians. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

it

they had been given

The students were

for dissection, but

Correct answer:

it

Explanation:

This sentence's error occurs in its use of the pronoun "it." "It" is a singular pronoun, but in this sentence, it is used to refer to a plural antecedent, "frogs." To correct the sentence's error, you would need to change "it" to "them."

Example Question #1 : 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.

It is always important for one to be alert when driving because you never know when another driver might come into your lane, or when a pedestrian might cross the street illegally. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

when 

to be

you never know

always 

Correct answer:

you never know

Explanation:

When a sentence uses "one" as a neutral third-person pronoun, the sentence should not then switch to using "you" instead of "one." Therefore, "you never know" contains the error in this sentence.

Example Question #3 : 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.

If you are being attacked, it is important not to provoke the other person because one never knows whether the attacker has weapons. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

it is

other person

one

are

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity if it then begins to use the word “one” in place of "you" later in the sentence. Therefore, “one" should be replaced by the word “you" to correct the sentence's error.

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.

When one is interviewed, it is important that you be articulate and present oneself well.  No error

Possible Answers:

you

No error

it is

is interviewed

well

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you" later in the sentence. Therefore, “you” should be replaced by the word “one" to fix the sentence's error.

Example Question #62 : 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.

You should always make sure to have a first-aid kit in your car, because one never knows when it can be useful, or even save a life. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

when

one

should

your car

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “one.” Therefore, “one” should be replaced by the word “you.”

 

Example Question #63 : 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 prepares for a marathon, it is essential that you prepare an exercise routine and stick to itNo error

Possible Answers:

you

No error

to it

When

it is

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you.” Therefore, “you” should be replaced by the word “one,” or the sentence should be rewritten so that this discontinuity is resolved.

Example Question #64 : 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 might initially think that you understand the expression "I think therefore I am," but you might not fully understand it until you mull it over for a while. No error

Possible Answers:

understand

 think

One

fully understand it until

No error  

Correct answer:

One

Explanation:

The "one" and "you" need to be properly distinguished in this sentence; choose one to use, and stick with it. The sentence uses "you" throughout except for the first word, "One," so it could be corrected by changing this "One" to "You."

Example Question #2 : 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.

After you play in the sand at the beach, it's very easy to get a lot of sand stuck in one's shoes. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

stuck

you

it's

a lot

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

It is not grammatically correct to use both "you" and "one" as pronouns in the same sentence. As written, the sentence begins by using "you," but then changes to using "one" when it ends with the phrase "one's shoes." So, to correct the sentence's error, "you" should be changed to "one."

Example Question #65 : 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 trust people who talk about others behind their backs, because you can safely assume they will do the same to you. No error

Possible Answers:

No Error

who talk

behind their backs

One should never

they will do

Correct answer:

One should never

Explanation:

The sentence starts off by using "one" as a pronoun, but then switches to using "you." In a single sentence, you should pick one of these pronouns to use and stick with it, and not change from using one to using the other in the middle of the sentence. To correct the sentence's error, you would need to change "One" to "You."

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