TACHS Language : Inconsistent Usage

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for TACHS Language

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : Tachs: Language

Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."

Possible Answers:

It is very important to look both ways when one crosses the street because you never know when a car might come.

Kent was extremely sad; he had been thinking about cross the street an unhealthy amount

No mistakes

If you cross the street carelessly, you never know what might happen.

Correct answer:

It is very important to look both ways when one crosses the street because you never know when a car might come.

Explanation:

The correct answer features inconsistent pronoun usage. Since the sentence first uses the pronoun "one," the sentence must remain consistent in its usage of that pronoun. It is incorrect to follow "one" (when used as a pronoun) with "you." The correct version of the sentence reads, "It is very important to look both ways when one crosses the street because one never knows when a car might come." This question interrogates the principle of consistent pronoun usage. None of the other options included any grammatical errors.

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