ACT English : Other Pronoun Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Other Pronoun 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.

The teacher had to repeat many questions to her students, which were very sleepy that day.

Possible Answers:

they

who

what

that

which

Correct answer:

who

Explanation:

Because the word being chosen is referring to a group of people ("students"), you need to use "who."

Example Question #551 : Sentence Correction

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.

The ability to distinguish faces is one that certain people lack, but itself is a skill that can be developed.

Possible Answers:

but itself is skillful

but itself is a skill

but its is a skill

but it is a skill

but itself are skills

Correct answer:

but it is a skill

Explanation:

The use of "itself" in the sentence is incorrect. "Itself" is a referential pronoun, and as the word is used as the subject in a complete though, there is nothing to refer to therefore, the correct answer is "bit it is a skill."

Example Question #24 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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.

Since the advent of the original flu vaccine, they have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza.

Possible Answers:

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps in reducing the risk of influenza. 

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza. 

they have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps to reduce the risk of influenza. 

they have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza. 

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, has helped to reduce the risk of influenza. 

Correct answer:

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza. 

Explanation:

Answer choices "researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, has helped to reduce the risk of influenza" and "researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps in reducing the risk of influenza" contain subject-verb agreement errors because they use singular verbs—"helps" and "has helped"—rather than the plural verbs required by the plural noun "drugs."

The answer choices containing "they" as opposed to "researchers" are incorrect because they contain an ambiguous pronoun. We don't know to whom "they" refers.

The answer choice "researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza" is correct because it is the only answer choice that correctly avoids using an ambiguous pronoun and doesn't introduce any subject-verb agreement errors.

Example Question #71 : 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.

When you are done with your work, please show it to myself.

Possible Answers:

we.

myself.

me.

itself.

I.

Correct answer:

me.

Explanation:

The sentence presented uses a reflexive pronoun, "myself," that does not refer back to anything previously mentioned. The proper form would be the standard pronoun "me," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #101 : Other Pronoun Errors

During the final months of 2007, the prices of basic grains nearly doubled in Northern Africa, Latin America, and much of Asia, the high prices caused a global food crisis. The catastrophe sparked and incited an international debate regarding the licensing of new technologies to developing nations. One economist warned that because of the risk of unforeseen price shocks, officials should proceed very cautiously. The construction of private farms pose a serious financial threat to farmers in the United States; nevertheless, of the five most industrialized nations, the United States exports more crops.  

How do some countries cope with food crises better than others. It is technology that accounts for the majority of the difference. The rate at which countries adopt innovations depends significantly on environmental factors. These environmental factors include climate, soil and elevation. The variability in environment inhibits new technologies from gaining worldwide popularity that are suited for one particular region over another. For example, the pesticides used in Europe are much more acidic than North America. Without the different levels of acidity, pests would prevent the crops to grow.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

those used in North America's

that used in North America

those used in North America

NO CHANGE

that used in North America's

Correct answer:

those used in North America

Explanation:

Consider the original sentence, "The pesticides used in Europe are much more acidic than North America." It contains a flawed comparison because it compares the pesticides used in Europe to the entire continent of North America

The proper way to express the sentence is to say "The pesticides used in Europe are much more acidic than those used in North America" because in that case, we are comparing pesticides to pesticides. Note: we must say "more acidic than those" rather than "more acidic than that" because "pesticides" is a plural noun.

Example Question #231 : Pronoun 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written. 

When we have purpose in our lives, they can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled.

Possible Answers:

you can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

she can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

they can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

one can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

we can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

Correct answer:

we can wake up every day feeling confident and fulfilled

Explanation:

The sentence begins with the pronoun "We" but switches to the pronoun "they." We must therefore change the second pronoun to "we" in order to maintain grammatical consistency.  

Example Question #823 : Word Usage Errors

“Mathematics and Learning”

What subject should be learned first?  The question rightly troubles anyone who’s interest is in education.  Of course, young children often must learn in a very basic and rote fashion, applying their apt memorization skills to simple tasks that will serve them very well in later years when they go one to apply such knowledge to more complex topics.  However, when the time comes to designing curricula, an important question must be answered for older students, namely “What is most important first topic in these students’s education?”

An argument can be made for the use of mathematics as a tool for teaching students how to reason more clearly.  This is not because mathematics is the basis of all knowledge.  Indeed not.  There are many important subjects including not only the humanities like poetry and history but sciences like biology and physiology too.   These topics are not strictly speaking mathematical in nature, even though mathematics can be used in it in many ways.

Our minds are best geared for learning things that we can sense, things that are visible and tangible.  Although mathematics is abstract, it can begin with this kind of sense derived experience.  Beginning with simple everyday examples, children can be taught the more abstract and difficult skills that must be learned for the sake of the development of mathematical skills.  In the process of learning these topics, the children will begin to learn important rules about reasoning.  He or she will learn how several propositions can serve as the basis for conclusions.  They will learn how certain properties are related to various geometric figures and arithmetical rules.  Although much of this will be memorized at first, with time, they will have the opportunity to see that human reasoning in mathematical subjects is orderly and logical.  On the basis of such “logical experience,” young learners can then begin to be taught the rules of logic that they have been using all along.  As the medievals used to say, they could go from logica utens, logic used in other subjects, to logica docens logic taught, as a unique, and separate subject.

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

the students went from logica utens

they will go from logica utens

they will pass from logica utens

the students would go from logica utens

Correct answer:

the students would go from logica utens

Explanation:

There are two problems in this small selection. First, the antecedent of the word "they" is unclear. From the context, you can basically tell that it is referring to the students. Still, it is better to be explicit, especially given that this sentence reads a bit awkwardly as it is written. Thus, replace "they" with "the students." Likewise, the verb "could" functions well enough. The sense of the sentence is: If the students reflect on their use of mathematical knowledge (the point discussed earlier in the paragraph), they would make a transition similar to that from logica utens to logica docens. Luckily, the only other option that uses "the students" also alters the verb to "went." This doesn't make any sense and can be eliminated.

Example Question #824 : Word Usage Errors

“Justice and Parents”

We tend to think of justice as a matter of strict equality.  For example if someone wants to buy an item, they are understandably expected to pay an amount that is roughly equal to its value.  Likewise, when a law declares that the penalty for speeding is $150, it is considered just that one who breaks this law pays the fine.  However, justice can also pertain to matters that are beyond mere equality.

An obvious example of this is the case of the relationship between children and their parents.  Unlike the cases discussed earlier, children will have had little opportunity to repay they’re parents for all that they have done for them.  Technically speaking, strict “equality” would require the child to give birth to the parents.  This is an absurd thing to suggest.  Similarly absurd is the suggestion that children should directly repay the rearing offered by parents.  Once again, strict equality cannot occur in the child-parent relationship.

However, there is a kind of justice between children and his or her parents.  For example, when a parent ages and is in need of assistance, if the adult child can provide assistance but refuses to do so.  This is a kind of injustice to the parents.  On a more positive note.  For example, an adult child might send his parents on a cruise in memory of their anniversary.  Such an action would be a kind of “justice” done to the parents—at least in that it recognizes the immense debt that is owed by the child to the parents in question.

In these (and many other cases), justice is less about equality than it is about paying what one can pay.  That is, in such cases, both justice or injustice is determined by worthiness that surpasses mere equality.  This kind of justice could be called justice above justice.  That is, it is a kind of justice that surpasses the “normal” justice of equality.  Such acts of justice ensure that society does not become reduced to the cold calculation of equality but, instead, has the warmth of true affection and loving gratitude.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

too repay they’re parents for all that they have done for them.

to repay they’re parents for all that he or she has done for them.

to repay they’re parents for all that he or she have done for them.

to repay their parents for all that they have done for them.

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

to repay their parents for all that they have done for them.

Explanation:

As written, the only error in this sentence is the misuse of the contraction "they are" as "they're." This is not the form of the personal pronoun called for in the sentence. Instead, it calls for the possessive form "their." The point is that some people will not be able to repay their very own parents. It makes no sense to refer to them as "they are." If you were to insert the full form into the sentence, it would seem very awkward indeed: "To repay they are parents for all that they have done for them."

Example Question #825 : Word Usage Errors

After the unbelievable fame of J.K. Rowling the author of the Harry Potter series hundreds of idealistic authors struggled to achieve similar success. Because of Rowling's legendary accomplishments, we have invited the author, herself to the book signing so that she can share her experience to anyone that wants to listen. Whether you're an amateur writer, expert author, or simply an eager fan, all kinds of people can benefit from her insight. After all, if a person wants to be successful, you have to be willing to listen to the advice of others. If anyone are interested in attending, please contact the office before the end of the month.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of this passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, please select NO CHANGE. 

Possible Answers:

anyone was

NO CHANGE

anyone is

anyone be

anyone were

Correct answer:

anyone is

Explanation:

The subject of the phrase is "anyone," an indefinite pronoun. Indefinite pronouns include "anyone," "everyone," "someone," "no one," and "nobody." These are always singular nouns. Therefore, the verb must also be singular. "Are" and "were" are not singular verbs. "Was" is past tense when the sentence is in present tense (the verb "contact" is in present tense). Thus, the correct phrase is "anyone is."

Example Question #826 : Word Usage Errors

“What is Leisure?” 

It would likely surprise [1] modern readers if he or she were told that the meaning of life is leisure. This seems to be the same thing as saying that the meaning of life is nothing more than relaxing by the side of the pool. [2] One can imagine almost anyone thinking to himself, “What a preposterous idea.” This idea is not as foreign as it might appear at first glance. Indeed, [3] it could be considered the classic Western position about the very meaning of life. [4] This, of course, lies in contrast to all other global positions, but that’s a topic for another day.

[5] Of course, we need to understand what is meant by the word leisure if we are going to understand this assertion. The best way to understand this is to consider a contrast between two different kinds of activity. [6] On the one hand, there are many activities that are for the sake of something else. [7] On the other hand. There are those activities that are done for their own sake. These latter kinds of activities are those that are properly understood as being leisurely. [8] For example, when someone cuts onions for a meal, the cutting of the onions is not done for their own sake. The easiest way to figure out if something is being done for the sake of another end is to ask, “Why are you doing that.” [9] The onion cutter will answer, “I am doing it so that I can make dinner.” This helps us to see that the cutting of the onions is for the sake of something else. [10] Indeed, even the eating of dinner is for the sake of something else, namely attaining adequate nutrition.

[11] In contrast to these examples, leisurely activities are those that are done for they’re own sake. [12] For example, ask someone who enjoys organ music why he is listening to an organ concert. The answer will almost certainly be, “For the sake of listening to organ music. It is that important and beautiful!” Many things can be considered leisurely, including forms of games that are played merely for their own enjoyment; however, it is important to bear in mind that there is a hierarchy of goods. [13] Some types of leisure are better than others and likely are more preferable.

Choose the answer that best corrects section [11].

Possible Answers:

In contrast to these examples, leisurely activities are those that are done for their own sake.

NO CHANGE

In contrast to these examples, leisurely activities are those that are done for there own sake.

In contrast to these examples, leisurely activities are those that are done for its own sake.

Correct answer:

In contrast to these examples, leisurely activities are those that are done for their own sake.

Explanation:

The key to this question is noting what is referred to by the word "they're" and also noting that this most definitely is the wrong form of the word. First of all, the plural possessive pronoun in the third person is "their," not "they're." Now, since this refers to the plural word "activities," you will need "their" and not "its."

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