SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #171 : 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 delivery was given to her, but it was only supposed to be received by I.
only supposed to be received by me
supposed to be only received by I
only supposed to be received by I
only supposed to be received from I
only supposing to be received by I
only supposed to be received by me
The use of the subjective first person pronoun "I" in this sentence is incorrect, as it is in the position of an object. The pronoun must be changed to the proper objective first person pronoun, "me." The only answer choice that uses the correct pronoun is "only supposed to be received by me."
Example Question #172 : 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 full load was given directly to both the coach and I.
for both the coach and I
to both of the coach and I
to both the coach and I
to both I and the coach
to both the coach and me
to both the coach and me
The use of "I" in the object of a sentence or phrase incorrect. "I" needs to be changed to the objective first person pronoun, "me." The only answer choice that correctly makes this change is "to both the coach and me."
Example Question #173 : 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 him went to the store yesterday to buy some groceries together.
He and I went to the store yesterday
Me and him went to a store yesterday
Me and him went at the store yesterday
Me and him went on to the store yesterday
Me and him went to the store yesterday
He and I went to the store yesterday
The use of both "me" and "him" in this sentence is incorrect, as they are both objective pronouns used as the subject of the sentence. Both pronouns need to be changed to the respective first and third person subjective pronouns. "He and I went to the store yesterday" is the only answer choice that uses the correct pronouns.
Example Question #174 : 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 entire project was a collaborative effort between the engineers, designers, and I.
a collaborative effort, between the engineers, the designers, and I.
a collaborative effort between the engineers the designers and I.
a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and I.
a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and me.
the collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and I.
a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and me.
The use of "I" in the object of a sentence or phrase is incorrect, as it should only be used as the subject of a sentence. The pronoun must be changed to the first person objective form, "me." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and me."
Example Question #175 : 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 report in question was never seen by either he or I.
never seen by either me or him.
never seen on either he or I.
never seen by neither he or I.
never seen by either he or I.
never seeing by either he or I.
never seen by either me or him.
The use of the pronouns "he" and "I" in the object of a sentence or phrase is incorrect, as they are both subjective pronouns. Each pronoun must be changed to its respective objective form. Thus, the correct answer choice is "never seen by either me or him."
Example Question #176 : 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.
She and him had known each other for years, but only fell in love recently.
She and him had knowing each other for years
She and him having known each other for years
She and him had known every other for years
She and him had known each other for years
They had known each other for years
They had known each other for years
The use of "him" in the subject of a sentence is incorrect, as "him" is the objective third person pronoun. The pronoun needs to be changed to a subjective pronoun because it appears in the subject of the sentence. The only answer choice that takes care of this problem is "They had known each other for years."
Example Question #177 : 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 my little sister have always had trouble getting along with each other.
Me and my little sister have always had trouble getting along with one another.
Me and my little sister always having trouble getting along with each other.
My little sister and I have always had trouble getting along with each other.
Me and my little sister have always troubled getting along with each other.
Me and my little sister have always had trouble getting along with each other.
My little sister and I have always had trouble getting along with each other.
The use of "me" as the subject of a sentence is incorrect, as "me" is an objective pronoun and should only be used as the object of a sentence. The only answer choice that takes care of this pronoun issue is "My little sister and I have always had trouble getting along with each other.
Example Question #178 : 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.
Every one of the documents has been reviewed by the president and I.
has been reviewed for the president and I.
has been reviewed by the president and I.
has been reviewed by the president and me.
has been reviewed by I and the president.
has been reviewing by the president and I.
has been reviewed by the president and me.
The use of "I" as the object of the sentence is incorrect, as it can only be used as the subject of a sentence. The pronoun needs to be changed to the objective pronoun form, "me." The only answer choice which uses this form of the pronoun is "has been reviewed by the president and me."
Example Question #179 : 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.
Although Paul emphatically declared his innocence, the story he told to Shelley and I was rather hard to believe.
he told to Shelley and me was rather hard to believe.
he told to Shelley and I were rather hard to believe.
he told was rather hard to believe to Shelley and me.
he tells to Shelley and I is rather hard to believe.
he told to Shelley and I was rather hard to believe.
he told to Shelley and me was rather hard to believe.
This sentence contains an error in pronoun case. Because "I" is found in a prepositional phrase and is not the subject, it should be changed to "me." Two choices correct this, but one of them creates a clarity problem by changing the word order.
Example Question #180 : 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Me and him were just coming up the hill when we saw it.
Me and him was
He and I were
Me and him were
He and I was
Him and me were
He and I were
Both "me" and "him" are objective pronouns, and as such can only be used as objects; however, in this sentence, they are the subjects. The proper subject forms are "he" and "I," and should be used accordingly. The correct answer is "He and I were."
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