PSAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Rita tries to arrive ten minutes early to every meeting, but sometimes the rush hour traffic makes it impossible to do it. No error
ten minutes
but
do it
No error
impossible
do it
In this sentence, the pronoun “it” refers to the action of arriving ten minutes early. Since that is a verb, the better phrase would be “do so.” The corrected sentence reads, "Rita tries to arrive ten minutes early to every meeting, but sometimes the rush hour traffic makes it impossible to do so."
Example Question #22 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Each of the students is required to come to the stage to read their essays, in order to practice public speaking. No error
is required
in order to
No error
their essays
Each
their essays
Look for pronoun agreement: "each" is a similiar subject, and cannot be paired with "their," a plural pronoun.
Example Question #21 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
No one knows what his or her future holds: everyone's destiny is unwritten. No error
his or her
No one
No error
everyone's
holds
No error
There is no error. The pronouns are correct: "no one" is singular, and is correctly matched with "his or her."
Example Question #22 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Each of the scientists on the team came to their own conclusion; in the end, there was no clear conclusion to the study. No error
their own
to the study
conclusion
No error
was
their own
Look here for pronoun agreement: "each" is a singular subject and requires a corresponding singular pronoun. The correct pronoun would be "his," "her," or "his or her," rather than "their."
Example Question #31 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Wooly mammoths, an extinct species of elephant, certainly deserved its name—a newborn calf could weigh 200 pounds! No error
its name
could weigh
newborn
species of elephant
No error
its name
In this sentence, the pronoun “its” does not agree in number with its antecedent “Wooly mammoths.” The corrected sentence reads: Wooly mammoths, an extinct species of elephant, certainly deserved their name—a newborn calf could weigh 200 pounds!
Example Question #32 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The North American moose population has declined, but their cultural popularity in everything from children’s books to hip t-shirts has grown. No error
from children’s books to hip t-shirts
has declined
their
No error
moose
their
In this sentence the plural pronoun “their” refers to the singular subject “moose population.” The singular pronoun should be used instead. The corrected sentence reads: The North American moose population has declined, but its cultural popularity in everything from children’s books to hip t-shirts has grown.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Mitosis is a process when cells undergo division in order to create two new cells. No error
undergo
is
No error
to create
when
when
When describing a idea, concept, or process, we refer to it with the phrase "in which." Mitosis is not a time when cells undergo division, but rather a process in which cells undergo division.
Example Question #34 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
For we, it is easier to get around in public transportation than it is to drive a car on roads that are congested and stress-inducing. No error
than
we
No error
are
to
we
"We" is a subject pronoun. The object pronoun is "us." In the sentence above, it is easier to get around for "we," which is incorrect. To correct the sentence, "we" should be changed to "us."
Example Question #35 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although a sales tax may appear to be an efficient way to raise profits, they are more detrimental to low-income consumers than to rich ones. No error
No error
than to
ones
to raise
they are
they are
"Tax" is a singular antecedent, while the pronoun and verb "they are" are plural. "It is" should be used instead of "they are" so that a singular pronoun and verb correspond to the singular antecedent "tax."
Example Question #36 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The cake was decorated with turquoise frosting swirls and turquoise candles because these were his favorite color. No error
frosting swirls
these were
his
was decorated with
No error
these were
“These” refers to “turquoise,” which is singular. The pronoun should likewise be singular. The corrected sentence reads, "The cake was decorated with turquoise frosting swirls and turquoise candles because this was his favorite color."
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