SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #2401 : Act English
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The issue was first brought to myself well over five years ago.
The issue was first brought to my own self well over five years ago.
The issue was first brought to me well over five years ago.
The issue being first brought to myself well over five years ago.
The issue was first bringing to myself well over five years ago.
The issue was first brought to myself well over five years ago.
The issue was first brought to me well over five years ago.
The use of the pronoun "myself" in the sentence is wrong, as it is the only use of a first person pronoun, and needs a previous usage to refer to; therefore, the word needs to be changed to the simple first person pronoun, "me," which makes "The issue was first brought to me well over five years ago," the correct answer choice.
Example Question #2402 : Act English
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
For no apparent reason, the boy harbors a great deal of anger toward myself.
a great deal of anger for myself.
a great deal of anger toward myself.
a great deal of anger toward me.
a great deal of anger to myself.
a great deal of angry toward myself.
a great deal of anger toward me.
The use of the reflexive pronoun in this sentence is incorrect, as there is no previous use of the first person pronoun to which it can refer. The word "myself" needs to changed to the simple first person objective pronoun, "me." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "a great deal of anger toward me."
Example Question #2403 : Act English
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Many people do not trust them to watch their own weight.
themself to watch their selves own weight.
themselves to watch their selves own weight.
them to watch their own weight.
themselves to watch their own weight.
them to watch weight.
themselves to watch their own weight.
The use of "them" is imprecise, as it is unclear who exactly "them" is referring to in the sentence. To clear up this confusion, the use of "themselves" is the best way to indicate this usage refers to the subject of the sentence. "Themselves to watch their own weight" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #2404 : Act English
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The issue was brought to myself as soon as he was aware of the problem.
The issue was brought on myself
The issue brought to myself
The issue was bringing to myself
The issue was brought to me
The issue was brought to myself
The issue was brought to me
The use of the reflexive pronoun "myself" is incorrect when it has no previous first person pronoun to refer to. "Myself" must be replaced by the simple first person objective pronoun "me." As the only answer choice to make this change, "The issue was brought to me" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2405 : Act English
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The boys all arrived together to make sure they had a numerical advantage on they're side.
on they're side.
on there side.
on their side.
in they're side.
unto there side.
on their side.
The key grammatical issue in the sentence is that two homonyms are confused, creating a mispelling in "they're." "They're" is actually the contraction for "they are," while the sentence needs the third person plural possesive form. "On their side" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #91 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The police searched for weeks for a mugger that fit the given description.
The police searched for weeks for a mugger who fit the given description.
The police, searching for weeks for a mugger, which fit the given description.
A mugger that fit the given description was searched for for weeks by the police.
The police searched for weeks for a mugger, one that fit the given description.
The police searched for weeks for a mugger that fit the given description.
The police searched for weeks for a mugger who fit the given description.
The error in the original sentence is that the word "that" cannot modify people. "Who" must be used to refer to the mugger.
Example Question #91 : Other Pronoun Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The teacher had to repeat many questions to her students, which were very sleepy that day.
which
they
what
who
that
who
Because the word being chosen is referring to a group of people ("students"), you need to use "who."
Example Question #2411 : Act English
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The ability to distinguish faces is one that certain people lack, but itself is a skill that can be developed.
but itself is skillful
but itself are skills
but it is a skill
but its is a skill
but itself is a skill
but it is a skill
The use of "itself" in the sentence is incorrect. "Itself" is a referential pronoun, and as the word is used as the subject in a complete though, there is nothing to refer to therefore, the correct answer is "bit it is a skill."
Example Question #92 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Like the best apples at the grocery store, them at the farmer's market are bright red.
that
ones
theirs
those
them
those
Here, simply match your subject, "apples," with the correct pronoun. Because the subject is plural, the pronoun must be plural as well. We also need a demonstrative pronoun in this instance, because we are specifically indicating the best apples at the farmer's market as opposed to the best apples at the grocery store. So, the correct answer is "those."
Example Question #63 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
One must not pay too much attention to Donald Trump during the debate; he will just try to ruffle your feathers.
You must not pay too much attention to Donald Trump during the debate;
He must not pay too much attention to Donald Trump during the debate;
One must not pay too much attention to Donald Trump during the debate,
One must not pay too much attention to Donald Trump during the debate;
They must not pay too much attention to Donald Trump during the debate;
You must not pay too much attention to Donald Trump during the debate;
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "your," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this construction should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "You must not pay too much attention to Donald Trump during the debate;"
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