SAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors
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Example Question #260 :Identifying Sentence 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 cakewas decorated withturquoisefrosting swirlsand turquoise candles becausethese werehisfavorite color.No error
No error
frosting swirls
was decorated with
these were
his
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."
Example Question #261 :Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Imported turmeric, often valued forit’sexoticflavor, also has the health benefit of helping to prevent themental deteriorationofolder adults.No error
mental deterioration
older adults
it's
flavor
No error
it's
"It's" is an abbreviated form of "it is." "Its" is the possessive form of "it," and therefore "it's" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.
Example Question #262 :Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Ginger is valuednot onlybecause of itsflavorful propertiesas a spice and garnish,but alsobecausetheyhave significant health benefits.No error
not only
flavorful properties
but also
they
No error
they
"Ginger" is singular, therefore the pronoun that refers to it in the sentence, "they," should be singular as well. The pronoun "they" is used with plural antecedents, and should be changed to the pronoun "it," which is used with singular neuter antecedents.
Example Question #263 :Identifying Sentence 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 committeehada tradition of voting bimonthly fortheirquarterly meeting,inwhichthe membersdiscussedimportant matters.No error
had
discussed
in which
their
No error
their
This is a pronoun agreement error. "Committee" is a group noun, so it is singular. The pronoun "their" refers to the committee but it is plural. "Their" should become "its."
Example Question #264 :Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I've hadmore teachersthanI can count,butby far the best one wasMr. Brown, thattaught second grade.No error
but
No error
Mr. Brown, that
I've had
than
Mr. Brown, that
因为教第二个g的从属子句”rade" is modifying a person, it needs to be introduced by "who," not "that," so "Mr. Brown, that" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.
Example Question #265 :Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I must saythat I amsomewhatjealous ofyou having你自己的private,in-home movie theater.No error
I must say
somewhat
private,
somewhat
private,
No error
you having
No error
you having
In this sentence, the word "having" is a gerund—a verb acting as a noun. A person is not jealous of an action but of something, in this case, the state of someone's having a movie theater. Since "having" is being treated as a noun, the other parts of speech must treat it as such as well. So the correct form of "you" would be possessive; the sentence should read "I am jealous of your having" just as you would say "I am jealous of your dog."
Example Question #266 :Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While on vacationin the Smokey Mountains,Jack sawa brown bear and it's cubrun across the road.No error
a brown bear and it's cub
in the Smokey Mountains,
run across the road
No error
While on vacation
a brown bear and it's cub
The phrase "a brown bear and it's cub" contains this sentence's error because it uses "it's," which is the contracted form of "it is," instead of "its," which is the possessive form of the singular pronoun "it." Changing "it's" to "its" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #267 :Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Ifoneputs meticulous effort intoyour studiesdayafterday, one willmost likelysucceed.No error
one
after
your studies
most likely
No error
your studies
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents. Since the sentence uses the pronoun "one," and remains consistent with that pronoun in the final clause, the pronoun is "your" is incorrect." Pronouns must remain consistent throughout a sentence. One could correct the sentence's error by changing "your" to "one's."
Example Question #268 :Identifying Sentence Errors
The court documents werebrought to myselfby the court stenographer when I asked.
brought to me
bringing to myself
brought to myself
brought to I
bringing to me
brought to me
The use of "myself" in the sentence is incorrect. "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun, which means it needs an antecedent it refers to earlier in the sentence. There is no previous mention of a previous first person pronoun. That makes "brought to me" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #9 :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.
The students wereinterested in the frogsthey had been givenfordissection, butmost struggled to seeitas scientific learning opportunities instead of gross, dead amphibians.No error
it
The students were
No error
they had been given
for dissection, but
it
This sentence's error occurs in its use of the pronoun "it." "It" is a singular pronoun, but in this sentence, it is used to refer to a plural antecedent, "frogs." To correct the sentence's error, you would need to change "it" to "them."
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