SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #131 : Correcting Pronoun 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 one treats others with an utter lack of respect, you make everyone incredibly angry.
one makes everyone incredibly angry.
you make everyones incredibly angry.
one makes everyone incredibly angry.
you make everyone incredibly angry.
you make everyone incredible angry.
one makes everyone incredibly angry.
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: "one makes everyone incredibly angry."
Example Question #131 : Correcting Pronoun 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.
You must be above all reproach if one intends to make a serious run for office.
You must be above all reproach if one intend to make a serious run for office.
You must be above all reproaches if one intend to make a serious run for office.
You must be above all reproaches if one intends to make a serious run for office.
You must be above all reproach if you intend to make a serious run for office.
You must be above all reproach if one intends to make a serious run for office.
You must be above all reproach if you intend to make a serious run for office.
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "you," 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: "You must be above all reproach if you intend to make a serious run for office."
Example Question #133 : Correcting Pronoun 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 might assume one is dealing with a psychopath, if you encounter an individual wholly without empathy.
if he or she encounters an individual wholly without empathy.
and you encounter an individual wholly without empathy.
if one encounter an individual wholly without empathy.
if they encounter an individual wholly without empathy.
if you encounter an individual wholly without empathy.
if one encounter an individual wholly without empathy.
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. In questions of this type look to the first pronoun used in a sentence, if that pronoun is not underlined it is the pronoun with which the rest of the pronouns in the sentence must be used. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "One might assume one is dealing with a psychopath, if one encounter an individual wholly without consequence."
Example Question #31 : 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.
When you write, you must be consistent with your pronoun usage, or one will confuse the readers.
When you write, you must be consistent with your pronoun usage, or you will confuse the readers.
When you write you must be consistent with your pronoun usage, or you will confuse the readers.
When you write you must be consistent with your pronoun usage, or one will confuse the readers.
When you write, you must be consistent with one's pronoun usage, or one will confuse the readers.
When you write, you must be consistent with your pronoun usage, or one will confuse the readers.
When you write, you must be consistent with your pronoun usage, or you will confuse the readers.
The pronoun most frequently used in the sentence above is "you," 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, "When you write, you must be consistent with your pronoun usage, or you will confuse the readers."
As a general tip, know your pronouns and choose just one for every sentence you write!
Example Question #132 : Correcting Pronoun 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.
It's extremely frustrated that you won't clean up after yourself, one should be enough of an adult to do so.
you should be enough of an adult to do so.
one should be enough of an adult to do so.
one should be enough of an adult to do that.
one should be enough of an adult to do it.
ones should be enough of an adult to do so.
you should be enough of an adult to do so.
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "you," 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, "you should be enough of an adult to do so."
Example Question #33 : 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.
One does what one must, but you shouldn't push too hard, as such behavior leads to injury.
but you shan't push too hard, as such behavior leads to injury.
but one shouldn't push too hard, as such behavior leads to injury.
but you shouldn't push too hard, as such behavior leads to injury.
but you shouldn't push to hard, as such behavior leads to injury.
but you shouldn't push two hard, as such behavior leads to injury.
but one shouldn't push too hard, as such behavior leads to injury.
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. Even though the pronoun "one" is in the dependent clause, as opposed to the main clause, the main clause pronoun should be changed, since there is no option to change the pronoun in the introductory clause. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "but one shouldn't push too hard, as such behavior leads to injury."
One is either speaking generally, or one is directly addressing someone in the second person, one cannot do both in the same sentence.
Example Question #34 : 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 you have a headache, one should take medicine to deal with the pain.
If you have a headache, you should, take medicine to deal with the pain.
If you have a headache, then one should take medicine to deal with the pain.
If you have a headache, perhaps one should take medicine to deal with the pain.
If you have a headache, one should take medicine to deal with the pain.
If you have a headache, you should take medicine to deal with the pain.
If you have a headache, you should take medicine to deal with the pain.
The first pronoun in the sentence above is "you," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the sentence. If both "you" and "one" both appear as pronouns (outside of quotation marks) in the same sentence one of them needs to change! The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "If you have a headache, you should take medicine to deal with the pain."
Example Question #133 : Correcting Pronoun 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 should not be so petulant in court, because the judge will not like you if you keep it up.
Her should not be so petulant in court,
They should not be so petulant in court,
One should not be so petulant in court,
You all should not be so petulant in court,
You should not be so petulant in court,
You should not be so petulant in court,
The pronoun in the portion of the sentence above that is not underlined is "you," 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, "You should not be so petulant in court,"
Example Question #134 : Correcting Pronoun 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 robot's artificial brain was badly damaged: I was worried that he would never recover its full capacity.
I was worried that he would never recover its full capacity.
I was worried that he would never recover his full capacity.
I was worried, that he would never recover its full capacity.
I was worried that it would never recover its full capacity.
I was worried that it would never recover its' full capacity.
I was worried that it would never recover its full capacity.
The correct pronoun for the portion of the sentence above that is underlined is "it," and to avoid any inconsistency errors, this pronoun should be used throughout the clause. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "I was worried that it would never recover its full capacity."
Example Question #135 : Correcting Pronoun 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.
You have to pay closer attention when you work with power tools, or one is going to get hurt very badly.
or you guys is going to get hurt very badly.
or you are going to get hurt very badly.
or ones are gonna get hurt very badly.
or you is going to get hurt very badly.
or one is going to get hurt very badly.
or you are going to get hurt very badly.
Since the pronoun in the part of the sentence that is not underlined is "you," "you" must be consistently used throughout the sentence in order to maintain pronoun agreement. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "or you are going to get hurt very badly."
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
