SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : 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.

Me and my friends have all taken a pledge to stick by each other no matter what.

Possible Answers:

Me and my friends have all taken

Me and my friends have each taken

My friends and me have all taken

Me and my friends have taken all

My friends and I have all taken

Correct answer:

My friends and I have all taken

Explanation:

The use of "me" in the subject of a sentence is always wrong, as it can only be used as the object of the sentence. The word "me" should be changed to the first person subjective pronoun, "I." The only answer choice that does this is "My friends and I have all taken."

Example Question #46 : Pronoun Case 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.

Them and me were going to go to the lake together on Saturday.

Possible Answers:

They and me were going

Them and I were going

They and I were going

Them and me was going

Them and me were going

Correct answer:

They and I were going

Explanation:

The use of the objective pronouns "them" and "me" in the subject of a sentence is always wrong. Both pronouns need to be changed to their respective subjective pronouns "they" and "I." Thus, "They and I were going" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1761 : Sat Writing

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.

The document was immediately given upon its completion to he and and I.

Possible Answers:

to him and I.

to I and he.

to me and him.

to he and and I.

to he and me.

Correct answer:

to me and him.

Explanation:

The use of the subjective pronouns "he" and "I" as the objects of the sentence is incorrect, as they should only be used as subjects. Both pronouns should be replaced with their respective objective pronouns, "him" and "me." As the only answer choice that does this, the correct answer is "to me and him."

Example Question #51 : Subjective And Objective 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.

The report was read out in full to both the Commissioner and I.

Possible Answers:

to both I and the Commissioner.

to both the Commissioner and I.

to both Commissioner and I.

to both the Commissioner and me.

for both the Commissioner and I.

Correct answer:

to both the Commissioner and me.

Explanation:

The use of the subjective first person pronoun "I" is incorrect in this sentence, as it used as the object of the sentence. The only first person pronoun that should be used as the object is "me." The correct answer, therefore, is "to both the Commissioner and me."

Example Question #52 : Subjective And Objective 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.

The race proved much more difficult than expected for both he and me.

Possible Answers:

than expecting for both he and me.

than expected by both he and me.

than expected for both he and I.

than expected for both me and him.

than expected for both he and me.

Correct answer:

than expected for both me and him.

Explanation:

The use of the third person subjective pronoun "he" is incorrect as the object of the sentence. The pronoun should be changed to the objective form to improve the sentence. The only answer choice that uses the correct pronoun is "than expected for both me and him."

Example Question #53 : Subjective And Objective 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.

Me and him never go anywhere together, even after all these years.

Possible Answers:

Him and me never go anywhere together

Me and him never go anywhere together

Me and him never goes anywhere together

Me and him never goes anywhere together

He and I never go anywhere together

Correct answer:

He and I never go anywhere together

Explanation:

The pronouns "me" and "him" are both objective pronouns, but are in this sentence used incorrectly as the subjects of the sentence. Both need to be changed to their respective subjective forms. "He and I never go anywhere together" is the only answer choice that uses the correct pronoun.

Example Question #165 : Correcting Pronoun Errors

Information has been concealed from everyone, including every member of the board and I.

Possible Answers:

including each member of the board and I.

including every member of the board, and I.

including I and every member of the board.

including every member of the board and I.

including every member of the board and me.

Correct answer:

including every member of the board and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the object of a sentence or verbal phrase is always wrong, as it should only be used as a subject. The subjective first person pronoun should be changed to the objective first person pronoun. Thus, the correct answer choice is "including every member of the board and me."

Example Question #166 : 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.

Me and her have been working on that routine for years.

Possible Answers:

She and I have been working

Me and her had been working

Me and her have being working

Me and her have been worked

Me and her have been working

Correct answer:

She and I have been working

Explanation:

The use of both "me" and "her" as subjects in the sentence is incorrect, as both of those pronouns are the objective forms. Both need to be changed to their respective subjective forms. "She and I have been working" is the only answer choice to make this change properly.

Example Question #167 : 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.

The child's gifts were all given directly to she and I.

Possible Answers:

directly to she and I.

directly to her and me.

directly for she and I.

directly to I and she.

direct to she and I.

Correct answer:

directly to her and me.

Explanation:

The use of "she and I" as the object of a sentence is wrong, as both "she" and "I" should only be used as the subjects of a sentence. The pronouns need to be changed to their respective objective forms. The only answer choice that uses the correct pronouns is "directly to her and me."

Example Question #54 : Subjective And Objective 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.

She and him never got along very well as small children.

Possible Answers:

She and him never got along

Her and him never got along

Him and she never got along

She and he never got along

She and him had never got along

Correct answer:

She and he never got along

Explanation:

The use of "him" in the subject is incorrect, as "him" is the objective third person male pronoun. It needs to be changed to the subjective third person male pronoun, "he." "She and he never got along" is the only answer choice that uses the correct pronouns.

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