SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #5 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.
In order for one to be prepared for the SATs, you must practice every skill on the test until one is confident in the material.
you must practice every skill
she must practice every skill
he must practice every skill
one must practice every skill
we must practice every skill
one must practice every skill
The error in the sentence is in the consistency of pronouns. The sentence begins with "one" and therefore "one" must be used as the pronoun through the remainder of the sentence.
Example Question #31 : 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.
If one is planning to argue with Damon about whether cats are better than dogs, you must be prepared to cite many sources to support your argument.
one must be prepared
she must be prepared
they must be prepared
he must be prepared
you must be prepared
one must be prepared
The error in this sentence stems from the lack of agreement between its pronouns. Since the sentence begins with the pronoun "one," we must change the other pronoun ("you") to "one" in order to make the sentence correct.
Example Question #1 : Correcting 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.
When one prepares for a marathon, it is easy to focus entirely on the exercise regimen and neglect the nutritional aspect that you also need to succeed. No error
on
it is easy
the nutritional aspect
you
No error
you
Since the pronoun "one" is introduced at the beginning of the sentence, the pronoun at the end of the sentence should also be "one" instead of "you" in order for the sentence to be consistent.
Example Question #111 : 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.
When the marlin launched itself violently at the boat, its bill plunged through the space between David and I.
its bill plunged through the space between David and I.
its bill plunged through the space between David and me.
it's bill plunged through the space between David and I.
its bill plunged through the space between I and David.
its bill plunging through the space between David and me.
its bill plunged through the space between David and me.
The first person pronoun is the object of the preposition "between" and therefore must be the object pronoun "me" and not the subject pronoun "I."
Example Question #112 : 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.
When you work hard and put forth your best effort, one can expect positive results.
they can expect
one can expect
you can expect
he or she can expect
we can expect
you can expect
Since the pronoun "you" is used to describe the subject in beginning of the sentence, the pronoun "one" must be changed to "you" to maintain grammatical consistency. Therefore, the correct answer is "you can expect." Once a pronoun has been used to describe the subject that pronoun must remain consistent throughout the sentence.
Example Question #13 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent 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.
If one is going to purchase a pet, no matter how small, you should first do research on how to properly care for it.
If one is going to purchase a pet, no matter how small, you first should do research on how to properly care for it.
If one is going to purchase a pet, no matter how small, one should first do research on how to properly care for it.
If one is going to purchase a pet, no matter how small, we should first do research on how to properly care for it.
If one is going to purchase a pet, no matter how small, he should first do research on how to properly care for it.
If one is going to purchase a pet, no matter how small, you should first do research on how to properly care for it.
If one is going to purchase a pet, no matter how small, one should first do research on how to properly care for it.
Because the pronoun in the first part of the sentence is "one," it needs to be "one" later on to maintain consistent use. Any subject pronoun would be suitable in these slots; what matters is that it is the same pronoun in both, to maintain consistency.
Example Question #113 : 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.
In order to lower your mile time, one must be following a strict schedule of training and not eating unhealthy foods.
you must both have strict training in addition to unhealthy foods being avoided.
one must be following a strict schedule of training and not eating unhealthy foods.
one must train strictly and not eat unhealthy foods.
one must follow a strict training schedule and avoid unhealthy foods.
you must follow a strict training schedule and avoid unhealthy foods.
you must follow a strict training schedule and avoid unhealthy foods.
The correct answer choice in this case will keep the pronouns consistent by keeping them in the second person (as "your" is used in the unchangeable part of the sentence). The best choice is the one which makes this change while remaining accurate and concise: "you must follow a strict training schedule and avoid unhealthy foods."
Example Question #114 : 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.
One's notebook should always be orderly because you never know when the teacher will decide to grade it.
because one never know
because you never know
because one never knows
because, you never know
because we never know
because one never knows
The pronoun "you" is a second-person pronoun, which is incorrect because the sentence describes "one," which is a third-person pronoun.
Example Question #115 : 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.
One must treat elders with utmost deference and respect, as your elders have gone through unimaginable hardship to ensure your future.
as one's elders have gone through unimaginable hardship to ensure one's future.
as one's elders have gone through unimaginable hardship to ensure your future.
as your elders have gone through unimaginable hardship to ensure one's future.
as your elders have gone through unimaginable hardship to ensure your Future.
as your elders have gone through unimaginable hardship to ensure your future.
as one's elders have gone through unimaginable hardship to ensure one's future.
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "one," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "as one's elders have gone through unimaginable hardship to ensure one's future."
Example Question #115 : 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.
I need you to take the hammer out of the bag in order to repair it.
in order to repair it.
in order to make repairs to it.
in order to repair her.
in order to repair the bag.
in order to repair him.
in order to repair the bag.
Whenever you have multiple antecedents in a sentence, you must be extremely clear with pronoun usage in order to avoid any ambiguity. In the sentence above, "it" could refer to either "the hammer" or "the bag." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "in order to repair the bag." It's also, perhaps, a good idea to appropriately store your tools, rather than carrying them around in handbags.
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