Correcting Pronoun Errors
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PSAT Writing › Correcting 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.
Martha, Harriet, and Blythe went to the movies on Friday night; she was able to get the last ticket to the latest blockbuster.
they were able to get the last tickets to the latest blockbuster.
the last ticket to the latest blockbuster was hers.
the last tickets to the latest blockbuster were theirs.
she was just getting the last ticket to the latest blockbuster.
she was able to get the last ticket to the latest blockbuster.
Explanation
In the original sentence, the pronoun “she” is ambiguous. Who does it refer to? One way to fix this would be to specify the person, another (used in the correct answer here) is to change the pronoun to “they” and refer to all three people. The choices that reverse the order of this phrase are awkwardly passive, and “just getting” is an unnecessary use of progressive tense.
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.
Many facts about astronomy have fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school.
have fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
has fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
fascinate my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
has fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
have fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
Explanation
The original text contains a pronoun case error. It says "my brother and I" when it should say "my brother and me." Remember to use objective pronouns—like "me," "him," and "us"—as the objects of verbs (in this case, the verb "fascinated").
Although answer choice "has fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school" correctly uses "me" instead of "I," it incorrectly uses the singular predicate "has fascinated" with the plural subject "facts."
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.
Martha, Harriet, and Blythe went to the movies on Friday night; she was able to get the last ticket to the latest blockbuster.
they were able to get the last tickets to the latest blockbuster.
the last ticket to the latest blockbuster was hers.
the last tickets to the latest blockbuster were theirs.
she was just getting the last ticket to the latest blockbuster.
she was able to get the last ticket to the latest blockbuster.
Explanation
In the original sentence, the pronoun “she” is ambiguous. Who does it refer to? One way to fix this would be to specify the person, another (used in the correct answer here) is to change the pronoun to “they” and refer to all three people. The choices that reverse the order of this phrase are awkwardly passive, and “just getting” is an unnecessary use of progressive tense.
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 questions have only been seen by myself.
been seen by me.
been seen by myself.
being seen by myself.
been seeing myself.
been seen myself.
Explanation
The use of "myself" is incorrect in the sentence, as it is a reflexive pronoun and needs the first person pronoun "me" to precede it. Therefore, "myself" must be changed to the first person pronoun "me," making the correct answer "been seen by me."
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 archdeacon did not adopt Rigoberto out of pure pity or the goodness of his heart; rather, the archdeacon wanted to ensure that him and his brother Juan would be allowed entrance into heaven.
he
him
one
they
her
Explanation
In the phrase "...to ensure that that him and his brother Juan would be allowed...", "him and his brother" are carrying out the action implied in "would be allowed". For this reason, the subject "he" is required, not the object "him".
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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Few domesticated animals have the ability to fend for themselves without humans providing for themselves.
providing for them
providing for themselves
providing themselves
provide for themselves
provide for them
Explanation
"Themselves" is a referential pronoun, and the structure of the sentence would make it refer to "humans." For the sentence to make sense, the pronoun needs to indicate "domesticated animals" are the ones being provided for. "Providing for them" is the correct answer choice.
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 archdeacon did not adopt Rigoberto out of pure pity or the goodness of his heart; rather, the archdeacon wanted to ensure that him and his brother Juan would be allowed entrance into heaven.
he
him
one
they
her
Explanation
In the phrase "...to ensure that that him and his brother Juan would be allowed...", "him and his brother" are carrying out the action implied in "would be allowed". For this reason, the subject "he" is required, not the object "him".
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.
Many facts about astronomy have fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school.
have fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
has fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
fascinate my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
has fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
have fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
Explanation
The original text contains a pronoun case error. It says "my brother and I" when it should say "my brother and me." Remember to use objective pronouns—like "me," "him," and "us"—as the objects of verbs (in this case, the verb "fascinated").
Although answer choice "has fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school" correctly uses "me" instead of "I," it incorrectly uses the singular predicate "has fascinated" with the plural subject "facts."
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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Few domesticated animals have the ability to fend for themselves without humans providing for themselves.
providing for them
providing for themselves
providing themselves
provide for themselves
provide for them
Explanation
"Themselves" is a referential pronoun, and the structure of the sentence would make it refer to "humans." For the sentence to make sense, the pronoun needs to indicate "domesticated animals" are the ones being provided for. "Providing for them" is the correct answer choice.
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 questions have only been seen by myself.
been seen by me.
been seen by myself.
being seen by myself.
been seeing myself.
been seen myself.
Explanation
The use of "myself" is incorrect in the sentence, as it is a reflexive pronoun and needs the first person pronoun "me" to precede it. Therefore, "myself" must be changed to the first person pronoun "me," making the correct answer "been seen by me."