SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #457 : Improving Sentences
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.
Who was she to he anyhow?
Whom was she to he anyhow?
Who was she to him anyhow?
Who was her to he anyhow?
Whom was she to him anyhow?
Who was she to he anyhow?
Who was she to him anyhow?
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "he" in the second part of the sentence should be "him" as the pronoun is the object of that clause, rather than its subject. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "who was she to him anyhow?"
Example Question #201 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice 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.
Her and I always got along pretty well, despite not having much in common.
Her and me
Her and I
She and I
Me and her
She and me
She and I
This pronoun should be the subject pronoun, since it serves as the subject of the sentence. For that reason, "She" and "I" are correct instead of "her" and "me." In assessing pronoun case, it is important to establish what the subjects and objects of the sentence are; if you know that you'll know what pronoun case to use.
Example Question #202 : 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.
Romeo and Juliet are tragic figures mainly because them two were not very good at communicating.
because they were not very good at communicating.
because them two were not very good at communicating.
because they two were not very good at communicating.
because them too were not very good at communicating.
because them to were not very good at communicating.
because they were not very good at communicating.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "them two" in the second part of the sentence should be "they" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "because they were not very good at communicating."
Example Question #203 : 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.
Please give those books back to your father and I this instant.
Please give those books, back to your father and me this instant.
Please give those books back to your father and I this instant.
Please, give those books back to your father and I this instant.
Please give those books back to your father and me this instant.
Please give those books, back to your father and I this instant.
Please give those books back to your father and me this instant.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "I" in the second part of the sentence should be "me," as the pronoun is the object of that clause, rather than its subject. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "Please give those books back to your father and me this instant."
Example Question #204 : 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.
Those guys are pretty dangerous: people let they get away with far, far too much in this little town.
people let they get away with far, far too much in this little town.
people let them get away with far, far too much in this little town.
people let those get away with far, far too much in this little town.
people let these get away with far, far too much in this little town.
people let they get away with far, far to much in this little town.
people let them get away with far, far too much in this little town.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "they" in the second part of the sentence should be "them" as the pronoun is the object of that clause, rather than its subject. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "people let them get away with far, far too much in this little town."
Example Question #63 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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 have a hard time dealing with you when you're like this, I don't understand why you treat I this way.
I have a hard time dealing with you when you're like this, and I don't understand why you treat me this way.
I have a hard time dealing with you when you're like this, and I don't understand why you treat I this way.
I have a hard time dealing with you when you're like this, while I don't understand why you treat I this way.
I have a hard time dealing with you when you're like this, I don't understand why you treat I this way.
I have a hard time dealing with you when you're like this, I don't understand why you treat me this way.
I have a hard time dealing with you when you're like this, and I don't understand why you treat me this way.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "I" in the second part of the sentence should be "me" as the pronoun is the object of that clause, rather than its subject. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "I have a hard time dealing with you when you're like this, and I don't understand why you treat me this way."
Example Question #206 : 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.
It's very hard to understand why them are so resistant to change: it strikes me as utterly foolish.
It's very hard to understand why them are so resistant to change: it strikes I as utterly foolish.
It's very hard to understand why them are so resistant to change: it strikes me as utterly foolish.
It's very hard to understand why they are so resistant to change: it strikes I as utterly foolish.
It's very hard to understand why they are so resistant to change, it strikes me as utterly foolish.
It's very hard to understand why they are so resistant to change: it strikes me as utterly foolish.
It's very hard to understand why they are so resistant to change: it strikes me as utterly foolish.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The pronoun "them" in the first part of the sentence should be "they" as this pronoun is part of the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "It's very hard to understand why they are so resistant to change: it strikes me as utterly foolish."
Example Question #65 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
My family and me went to Iowa for the Fourth of July, and it was extremely warm.
My family and I went to Iowa for the Fourth of July, and it was extremely warm.
My family and me went to Iowa for the Fourth of July, and it was extremely warm.
My family and me went to Iowa for the Fourth of July; it was extremely warm.
My family and me went to Iowa for the Fourth of July: it was extremely warm.
My family and I went to Iowa for the Fourth of July: and it was extremely warm.
My family and I went to Iowa for the Fourth of July, and it was extremely warm.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "me" in the first part of the sentence should be "I" as the pronoun is part of the subject of the clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "My family and I went to Iowa for the Fourth of July, and it was extremely warm."
As a general tip, figuring out the fundamental structure of the sentence, which words are acting as subjects, verbs, and objects, will help you to find the errors.
Example Question #66 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
She and him both frequently cause problems in class, and I'm frankly very tired of their antics.
We both frequently cause problems in class, and I'm frankly very tired of their antics.
Them both frequently cause problems in class, and I'm frankly very tired of their antics.
She and him both frequently cause problems in class, and I'm frankly very tired of their antics.
She and he both frequently cause problems in class, and I'm frankly very tired of their antics.
They both frequently cause problems in class, and I'm frankly very tired of their antics.
They both frequently cause problems in class, and I'm frankly very tired of their antics.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "she and him" in the first part of the sentence should be "they," the pronoun is both collective and the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "They both frequently cause problems in class, and I'm frankly very tired of their antics."
Example Question #67 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
He brought the pen over to her, but her did not use it in the way he had hoped.
He brought the pen over to her, her did not use it in the way he had hoped.
He brought the pen over to her, she did not use it in the way he had hoped.
He brought the pen over to her, but her did not use it in the way he had hoped.
Him brought the pen over to her, but her did not use it in the way he had hoped.
He brought the pen over to her, but she did not use it in the way he had hoped.
He brought the pen over to her, but she did not use it in the way he had hoped.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "her" in the second part of the sentence should be "she" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "He brought the pen over to her, but she did not use it in the way he had hoped."
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