Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage - PSAT Writing
Card 1 of 120
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One should never allow your work responsibilities to be taken over by another person. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One should never allow your work responsibilities to be taken over by another person. No error
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In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts out with the subject “one” and changes to the possessive “your,” but these should refer to the same thing. The corrected sentence reads, "One should never allow one’s work responsibilities to be taken over by another person."
In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts out with the subject “one” and changes to the possessive “your,” but these should refer to the same thing. The corrected sentence reads, "One should never allow one’s work responsibilities to be taken over by another person."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One might try to adopt a baby lion, but you should be prepared for it to become quite ferocious when it grows up. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One might try to adopt a baby lion, but you should be prepared for it to become quite ferocious when it grows up. No error
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In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts about speaking generally about “one,” then switches to a second-person “you.” The corrected sentence reads, "One might try to adopt a baby lion, but one should be prepared for it to become quite ferocious when it grows up."
In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts about speaking generally about “one,” then switches to a second-person “you.” The corrected sentence reads, "One might try to adopt a baby lion, but one should be prepared for it to become quite ferocious when it grows up."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, one quickly learns that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, one quickly learns that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company. No error
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This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun (“you”) and the more general “one.” It’s better to keep these consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, you will quickly learn that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company."
This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun (“you”) and the more general “one.” It’s better to keep these consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, you will quickly learn that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One’s basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome your preference to work independently. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One’s basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome your preference to work independently. No error
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This sentence switches between a general pronoun “one’s” and the second person pronoun “your.” These should remain consistent. The corrected sentence reads: "Your basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome one’s preference to work independently."
This sentence switches between a general pronoun “one’s” and the second person pronoun “your.” These should remain consistent. The corrected sentence reads: "Your basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome one’s preference to work independently."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When one's eyes grow heavy with sleep, it's important for you to find a pillow quickly.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When one's eyes grow heavy with sleep, it's important for you to find a pillow quickly.
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"You" does not agree with "one's." When using "one" as a pronoun to speak about an assumed general person, remember not to lapse into using the pronoun "you."
"You" does not agree with "one's." When using "one" as a pronoun to speak about an assumed general person, remember not to lapse into using the pronoun "you."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures. No error
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This sentence first introduces the possessive pronoun "one's" in "one's taste expectations," but later, it switches to using the possessive pronoun "your" in "your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures." If you begin using one of these pronouns in a sentence, you should be consistent and only use that pronoun in that grammatical situation for the rest of the sentence; switching from one to the other mid-sentence is grammatically incorrect. To correct the sentence, you could either change "one's" to "your" or "your" to "one's"—either swap would result in a consistent use of one of the pronouns. One version of the corrected sentence would read, "The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of one’s prior experience with foods of various colors and textures."
This sentence first introduces the possessive pronoun "one's" in "one's taste expectations," but later, it switches to using the possessive pronoun "your" in "your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures." If you begin using one of these pronouns in a sentence, you should be consistent and only use that pronoun in that grammatical situation for the rest of the sentence; switching from one to the other mid-sentence is grammatically incorrect. To correct the sentence, you could either change "one's" to "your" or "your" to "one's"—either swap would result in a consistent use of one of the pronouns. One version of the corrected sentence would read, "The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of one’s prior experience with foods of various colors and textures."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment one feels after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment one feels after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort. No error
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This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun “your” and the general pronoun “one.” These should stay consistent; if you begin by using one of these words as a pronoun in a sentence, you shouldn't suddenly switch to using the other. The corrected sentence reads: "Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment you feel after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort."
This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun “your” and the general pronoun “one.” These should stay consistent; if you begin by using one of these words as a pronoun in a sentence, you shouldn't suddenly switch to using the other. The corrected sentence reads: "Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment you feel after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One must understand that even if it seems like your life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One must understand that even if it seems like your life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone. No error
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This sentence uses “one” and “you” interchangeably. These should stay consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "One must understand that even if it seems like one’s life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone."
This sentence uses “one” and “you” interchangeably. These should stay consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "One must understand that even if it seems like one’s life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When one is in the library, lower your voice so as not to disturb others. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When one is in the library, lower your voice so as not to disturb others. No error
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The words "one and "you" are both acceptable pronouns, but they should not be used as pronouns in the same sentence because the third-person pronoun "you" does not agree with "one."
The words "one and "you" are both acceptable pronouns, but they should not be used as pronouns in the same sentence because the third-person pronoun "you" does not agree with "one."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One often finds that one can’t study when people are talking near you, especially if those people are giggling or yelling. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One often finds that one can’t study when people are talking near you, especially if those people are giggling or yelling. No error
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You can't switch between "one" and "you." The sentence begins with "one" and has to keep using it for the remainder of the statement.
You can't switch between "one" and "you." The sentence begins with "one" and has to keep using it for the remainder of the statement.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One cannot see the conditions in a sweatshop and truthfully say you think they are acceptable work conditions for any human being. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One cannot see the conditions in a sweatshop and truthfully say you think they are acceptable work conditions for any human being. No error
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The subject of the sentence is not consistent throughout the sentence. At the beginning of the sentence, it refers to "one" but later changes to "you." As changing the word "you" that is used later in the sentence is not an option, "one" is the incorrect word in this sentence. The sentence should read, "You cannot see the conditions in a sweatshop and truthfully say you think they are acceptable work conditions for any human being."
The subject of the sentence is not consistent throughout the sentence. At the beginning of the sentence, it refers to "one" but later changes to "you." As changing the word "you" that is used later in the sentence is not an option, "one" is the incorrect word in this sentence. The sentence should read, "You cannot see the conditions in a sweatshop and truthfully say you think they are acceptable work conditions for any human being."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although you have the highest grade in the class, one should still study for the final exam. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although you have the highest grade in the class, one should still study for the final exam. No error
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The pronouns in a sentence must agree. If you use "you" to refer to one person, you cannot use "one" to refer to the same person in the same sentence.
The pronouns in a sentence must agree. If you use "you" to refer to one person, you cannot use "one" to refer to the same person in the same sentence.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When deciding what kind of car to buy, you must consider many different aspects of various vehicles, including milage, size, cost, and many other important details which might affect one's decision. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When deciding what kind of car to buy, you must consider many different aspects of various vehicles, including milage, size, cost, and many other important details which might affect one's decision. No error
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"One" should be used in place of "you" in this sentence. When a setence is referring to a person nonspecifically in reference to an action, "one" should be used because "you" is a more direct pronoun used for talking directly to someone. Plus, "one" is used later in the sentence, and it is not correct to switch to using "one" in place of "you" (or vice-versa) in mid-sentence. So, "you" contains the error.
"One" should be used in place of "you" in this sentence. When a setence is referring to a person nonspecifically in reference to an action, "one" should be used because "you" is a more direct pronoun used for talking directly to someone. Plus, "one" is used later in the sentence, and it is not correct to switch to using "one" in place of "you" (or vice-versa) in mid-sentence. So, "you" contains the error.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One might initially think that you understand the expression "I think therefore I am," but you might not fully understand it until you mull it over for a while. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One might initially think that you understand the expression "I think therefore I am," but you might not fully understand it until you mull it over for a while. No error
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The "one" and "you" need to be properly distinguished in this sentence; choose one to use, and stick with it. The sentence uses "you" throughout except for the first word, "One," so it could be corrected by changing this "One" to "You."
The "one" and "you" need to be properly distinguished in this sentence; choose one to use, and stick with it. The sentence uses "you" throughout except for the first word, "One," so it could be corrected by changing this "One" to "You."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After you play in the sand at the beach, it's very easy to get a lot of sand stuck in one's shoes. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After you play in the sand at the beach, it's very easy to get a lot of sand stuck in one's shoes. No error
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It is not grammatically correct to use both "you" and "one" as pronouns in the same sentence. As written, the sentence begins by using "you," but then changes to using "one" when it ends with the phrase "one's shoes." So, to correct the sentence's error, "you" should be changed to "one."
It is not grammatically correct to use both "you" and "one" as pronouns in the same sentence. As written, the sentence begins by using "you," but then changes to using "one" when it ends with the phrase "one's shoes." So, to correct the sentence's error, "you" should be changed to "one."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It is always important for one to be alert when driving because you never know when another driver might come into your lane, or when a pedestrian might cross the street illegally. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It is always important for one to be alert when driving because you never know when another driver might come into your lane, or when a pedestrian might cross the street illegally. No error
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When a sentence uses "one" as a neutral third-person pronoun, the sentence should not then switch to using "you" instead of "one." Therefore, "you never know" contains the error in this sentence.
When a sentence uses "one" as a neutral third-person pronoun, the sentence should not then switch to using "you" instead of "one." Therefore, "you never know" contains the error in this sentence.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you are being attacked, it is important not to provoke the other person because one never knows whether the attacker has weapons. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you are being attacked, it is important not to provoke the other person because one never knows whether the attacker has weapons. No error
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If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity if it then begins to use the word “one” in place of "you" later in the sentence. Therefore, “one" should be replaced by the word “you" to correct the sentence's error.
If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity if it then begins to use the word “one” in place of "you" later in the sentence. Therefore, “one" should be replaced by the word “you" to correct the sentence's error.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When one is interviewed, it is important that you be articulate and present oneself well. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When one is interviewed, it is important that you be articulate and present oneself well. No error
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If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you" later in the sentence. Therefore, “you” should be replaced by the word “one" to fix the sentence's error.
If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you" later in the sentence. Therefore, “you” should be replaced by the word “one" to fix the sentence's error.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When one prepares for a marathon, it is essential that you prepare an exercise routine and stick to it. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When one prepares for a marathon, it is essential that you prepare an exercise routine and stick to it. No error
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If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you.” Therefore, “you” should be replaced by the word “one,” or the sentence should be rewritten so that this discontinuity is resolved.
If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you.” Therefore, “you” should be replaced by the word “one,” or the sentence should be rewritten so that this discontinuity is resolved.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
You should always make sure to have a first-aid kit in your car, because one never knows when it can be useful, or even save a life. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
You should always make sure to have a first-aid kit in your car, because one never knows when it can be useful, or even save a life. No error
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If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “one.” Therefore, “one” should be replaced by the word “you.”
If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “one.” Therefore, “one” should be replaced by the word “you.”
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