SAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors
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Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We were confused when our Physics and Calculus teachers were not around during lunch, but then we heard that he was in a faculty meeting. No error
he
but then
No error
during
were confused
he
The writer uses the pronoun "he" in this sentence, which is ambiguous because there are two teachers. The writer should use the pronoun "they," which is plural and thus agrees with its plural antecedent "teachers."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Regina and Katherine have been best friends since the third grade, so it was no surprise to anyone that she ended up going to the same college. No error.
she
no
have been
No error
anyone
she
Since the subject of the sentence is "Regina and Katherine," the pronoun "she" is used incorrectly here and does not reflect that the writer is referring to two women. The writer should replace "she" with the plural pronoun "they."
Example Question #711 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Kenny told Pete that the angry chickens on Mr. Peterson's farm would have nothing to do with him. No error.
No error
him
would
nothing
on
him
The pronoun "him" is ambiguous here, as the reader cannot say for certain whether the "him" is referring to Kenny or Pete. To fix the error, we would need to replace "him" with the unique name of the person that the angry chickens would have nothing to do with.
Example Question #712 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many politicians support granting immunity from deportation to the children of illegal immigrants, believing that they will use the opportunities to create better lives here in America. No error.
they
to create
No error
granting
from
they
The pronoun "they" is ambiguous in this sentence, as it is not clear if it is referring to the politicians or the children of illegal immigrants.
Example Question #713 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Monica had never been late for work before, but after escorting her cousins to the train station, she found herself running two hours late because he had gotten lost. No error
had never
found
No error
he
escorting
he
The sentence includes an ambiguous pronoun, "he." From the information presented, it is impossible for the reader to determine which of Monica's two cousins got lost. To correct the sentence, the writer could specify this information by giving the names of the two cousins (e.g. "her cousins Tom and Harry") and then specify which one had gotten lost.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Pronoun 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.
Mark and Paul are both very good at baseball, but I think he is better. NO ERROR
NO ERROR
Mark and Paul
very
baseball,
he
he
Because both "Mark" and "Paul" could potentially be the antecedent of "he" in the second part of the sentence, "he" is an ambiguous pronoun. It should be corrected to one of their names, so that we know who the speaker is talking about specifically.
Example Question #12 : Identifying Pronoun 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.
After breaking the plate on the floor, I had to clean it up. NO ERROR
it
I had
After breaking
NO ERROR
plate
it
Because both "plate" and "floor" could potentially be the antecedent of "it" in the second part of the sentence, "he" is an ambiguous pronoun. It should be corrected to one of the objects, so that we know what the speaker is talking about specifically.
Example Question #13 : 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.
Even the famous director was nervous about giving the belligerent actor his notes. No error
was
giving
Even the famous
No error
his
his
As written above, the sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. It is unclear whether "his" refers to the director's notes or the actor's notes.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
As Amy discussed the move with her mom, she knew that the potential loss of friends was a large, unspoken part of her strong emotional reaction to it. No error
mom, she
large, unspoken
her
was
No error
her
The word "her" in this sentence is a problem because it is an ambiguous pronoun. Pronouns stand in for nouns and ambigious pronouns are ones where it's not clear which noun they are standing in for. In this case, since both Amy and her mother are female, it is unclear whether Amy or her mom is the one having the strong emotional reaction to the move. A revised sentence might look like this: "As Amy discussed the move with her mom, she knew that the potential loss of friends was a large, unspoken part of her mother's strong emotional reaction to it."
Example Question #32 : 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.
As Jarvis and Henry approached the next house on the block, the hairs on the back of his neck began to stand up. No error
Jarvis and Henry
No error
his
block,
began to stand
his
"His" in this sentence is an ambiguous pronoun: it's not clear from the sentence whether the person whose hairs are standing up is Jarvis, Henry, or some unknown observer. This should be corrected by referring explicitly to the person being referred to instead of using "his."
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