SAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all. 

We were confused when our Physics and Calculus teachers were not around during lunch, but then we heard that he was in a faculty meeting. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

he

during

were confused

but then

Correct answer:

he

Explanation:

The writer uses the pronoun "he" in this sentence, which is ambiguous because there are two teachers. The writer should use the pronoun "they," which is plural and thus agrees with its plural antecedent "teachers."

Example Question #4 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all. 

Regina and Katherine have been best friends since the third grade, so it was no surprise to anyone that she ended up going to the same college. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

she

anyone

have been

no

Correct answer:

she

Explanation:

Since the subject of the sentence is "Regina and Katherine," the pronoun "she" is used incorrectly here and does not reflect that the writer is referring to two women.  The writer should replace "she" with the plural pronoun "they."

Example Question #5 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all. 

Kenny told Pete that the angry chickens on Mr. Peterson's farm would have nothing to do with him. No error

Possible Answers:

would

nothing

on

him

No error

Correct answer:

him

Explanation:

The pronoun "him" is ambiguous here, as the reader cannot say for certain whether the "him" is referring to Kenny or Pete. To fix the error, we would need to replace "him" with the unique name of the person that the angry chickens would have nothing to do with. 

Example Question #11 : 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. 

Many politicians support granting immunity from deportation to the children of illegal immigrants, believing that they will use the opportunities to create better lives here in America. No error

Possible Answers:

to create

they

from

granting

No error

Correct answer:

they

Explanation:

The pronoun "they" is ambiguous in this sentence, as it is not clear if it is referring to the politicians or the children of illegal immigrants. 

Example Question #12 : 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.

Monica had never been late for work before, but after escorting her cousins to the train station, she found herself running two hours late because he had gotten lost. No error

Possible Answers:

escorting

had never

he

found

No error

Correct answer:

he

Explanation:

The sentence includes an ambiguous pronoun, "he." From the information presented, it is impossible for the reader to determine which of Monica's two cousins got lost. To correct the sentence, the writer could specify this information by giving the names of the two cousins (e.g. "her cousins Tom and Harry") and then specify which one had gotten lost.

Example Question #13 : Identifying Pronoun Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct.  Some sentences contain no error at all.

Mark and Paul are both very good at baseball, but I think he is better. NO ERROR

 

Possible Answers:

very

he

Mark and Paul

NO ERROR

baseball,

Correct answer:

he

Explanation:

Because both "Mark" and "Paul" could potentially be the antecedent of "he" in the second part of the sentence, "he" is an ambiguous pronoun.  It should be corrected to one of their names, so that we know who the speaker is talking about specifically.

Example Question #14 : Identifying Pronoun Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

After breaking the plate on the floor, I had to clean it up. NO ERROR

Possible Answers:

plate

After breaking

I had

it

NO ERROR

Correct answer:

it

Explanation:

Because both "plate" and "floor" could potentially be the antecedent of "it" in the second part of the sentence, "he" is an ambiguous pronoun. It should be corrected to one of the objects, so that we know what the speaker is talking about specifically.

Example Question #15 : 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.

Even the famous director was nervous about giving the belligerent actor his notes. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

his

Even the famous

giving

was

Correct answer:

his

Explanation:

As written above, the sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. It is unclear whether "his" refers to the director's notes or the actor's notes.

Example Question #31 : Identifying Word Usage Errors

As Amy discussed the move with her mom, she knew that the potential loss of friends was a large, unspoken part of her strong emotional reaction to it. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

her

large, unspoken

was

mom, she

Correct answer:

her

Explanation:

The word "her" in this sentence is a problem because it is an ambiguous pronoun. Pronouns stand in for nouns and ambigious pronouns are ones where it's not clear which noun they are standing in for. In this case, since both Amy and her mother are female, it is unclear whether Amy or her mom is the one having the strong emotional reaction to the move. A revised sentence might look like this: "As Amy discussed the move with her mom, she knew that the potential loss of friends was a large, unspoken part of her mother's strong emotional reaction to it." 

Example Question #32 : Identifying Word 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.

As Jarvis and Henry approached the next house on the block, the hairs on the back of his neck began to stand up. No error

Possible Answers:

block, 

began to stand

his

Jarvis and Henry

No error

Correct answer:

his

Explanation:

"His" in this sentence is an ambiguous pronoun: it's not clear from the sentence whether the person whose hairs are standing up is Jarvis, Henry, or some unknown observer. This should be corrected by referring explicitly to the person being referred to instead of using "his."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors