GMAT Verbal › 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.
The publicist made it clear that he was speaking for both the organization and him, inviting even more criticism from the press.
for both the organization and himself
for both the organization and him
to both the organization and him
for both the organization's and him
for both the organization and he
The pronoun "him" in this sentence is confusing and ambiguous, as it makes it unclear precisely to whom the pronoun is referring. By making it a reflexivepronoun, the sentence will be made much less confusing. The only choice that uses the reflexive pronoun is "for both the organization and himself," making it the correct answer.
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.
There were few employees willing to stand up to the executive when he was in one of his rages, as they often led to many people being fired.
as these rages often led to many people being fired.
as they often led to many people being fired.
as they often would lead to many people being fired.
as they often led to more people being fired.
as they often led to many peoples being fired.
The use of "they" in the underlined portion creates ambiguity and confusion, as it is unclear whether "they" refers to "employees" or "rages." Making the pronoun into a specific noun will clear up the confusion. The answer choice which best rids the sentence of its ambiguity is "as these rages often led to many people being fired."
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 bankers loved the technological improvement of their new computers, but they didn't work well with them.
Though they loved their new computers, the bankers didn't work well with them.
The bankers, though they loved their new computers, didn't work well with them.
The bankers loved their new computers, but didn't work well with them.
The new computers were loved, but the bankers didn't work well with them.
The bankers loved the technological improvement of their new computers, but they didn't work well with them.
The sentence is faulty because it uses a pronoun with an ambiguous antecedent. The reader can't be sure who either "they" or "them" is referring to -- the bankers or the computers. The error can be fixed by rearranging the sentence so that "they" is followed by the clarifying subject "bankers."
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.
researchers 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.
researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps in reducing 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.
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.
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.
The server went to check on her last customer; she was frustrated by her impatience.
The server went to check on her last customer, who was frustrated by the server's impatience.
The server went to check on her last customer; she was frustrated by her impatience.
The server checked on her last customer; she was frustrated by her impatience.
The server went to check on her last customer, and she was frustrated by her impatience.
The server went to check on her last customer and found that she was frustrated by her impatience.
The use of "her" in the last phrase of the sentence, "her impatience," is confusing, as it is unclear whether this refers to the server or the customer. By using more careful and precise language, the sentence can be made less ambiguous. The only answer choice that properly clears up the pronoun confusion in this sentence without introducing new errors is "The server went to check on her last customer, who was frustrated by the server's impatience."
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.
Trina's new song, which topped the charts, is loved by many.
Trina's new song, which many people love, topped the charts.
Trina's new song, which topped the charts, is loved by many.
Trina's new song topped the charts, which is loved by many.
Trina's new song is loved by many and topped the charts.
Trina's new song is loved by many, so it topped the charts.
This sentence contains many errors: foremost, it is very ambiguous in the usage of the pronoun in its current form. It is unclear whether the sentence means that the charts are loved or Trina's song. Additionally, passive voice is used in this sentence when active voice is better for a relatively complex sentence like this one (i.e. The subject must do the action of the sentence) in standard English. The correct choice is, "Trina's new song, which many people love, topped the charts."
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.
Doctors are notorious for having poor handwriting skills, and many pharmacists regularly complain about their prescriptions.
and many pharmacists regularly complain about doctors' prescriptions
and many pharmacists regularly complain about their prescriptions
but many pharmacists regularly complain about their prescriptions
and many regular pharmacists complain about their prescriptions
and many pharmacists regularly complain about their prescription
The sentence has a vague pronoun reference. The use of "their" before "prescriptions" is ambiguous because we do not know if "their" refers to the doctors' or the pharmacists' prescriptions. The sentence needs to clarify to whom the pronoun refers, so the best answer choice is the one that does this, "and many pharmacists regularly complain about doctors' prescriptions."
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.
Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog she had to give him away.
Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog, she had to give the former away.
Bessie knew once her cat started fighting her dog, she had to give him away.
Bessie knew when her cat was fighting her dog, she had to give him away.
Bessie knew when her cat, fighting her dog, had to give away.
Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog she had to give him away.
This is an example of an ambiguous pronoun. The "him" in "to give him away" in the original sentence could be applying to either the dog or the cat, so we must make clear that it is one or the other.
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.
After installing the new part in his car, it was not working properly.
the part did not work properly.
it was not working properly.
it would not work.
he could not get it to work.
it was not starting up.
The word "it" in this sentence is ambiguous. In this situation, it is possible for the "it" to refer either to the car or the part installed. Take, for example, that he installed a new radio or speakers in his car. It is entirely possible that the car would be able to work when these components are not working and vice versa. Perhaps while installing the radio/speakers, this person accidentally cut a wire that was vital to some other electrical components of the car. It is possible that the car may not start fully (i.e. to be able to drive), but perhaps the radio might still turn on - at least for a bit. So, it is important to clarify this; the best choice is, "the part did not work properly" since it is the only choice that is not vague.
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.
The largest tree in the park, which is very beautiful, is as old as the city.
The beautiful park's largest tree is as old as the city.
The largest tree in the park, which is very beautiful, is as old as the city.
The largest tree in the park, that is very beautiful, is as old as the city.
The beautiful tree in the park, which is as old as the city, is the largest in the park.
The park's largest tree, which is as old as the city, is beautiful.
The sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. Technically, the word "which" could apply to both "the tree" and "the park" in this sentence. The word order needs to be reorganized in such a way that it is clear which words specifically refer to which nouns. The correct choice is, "The beautiful park's largest tree is as old as the city" as all of the other sentences contain some degree of ambiguity. This choice is the only one that is specific and clear.