Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

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PSAT Writing › Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Questions 1 - 10
1

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I never heard the official announcement, but I received the news when Mark sent an email to Sharon and I. No error

Sharon and I

never

received

when

No error

Explanation

This sentence has a problem with pronoun case in the prepositional phrase "to Sharon and I." "I" is the subjective case of the first-person pronoun, but as an object of the preposition "to," the objective case of the first-person pronoun, "me," should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "I never heard the official announcement, but I received the news when Mark sent an email to Sharon and me."

2

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

My boyfriend and me went to the animal shelter, and together, we adopted a dog. No error

me

went

together

adopted

No error

Explanation

This sentence contains an error in its use of the pronoun "me." The proper subjects of the sentence are "my boyfriend" and "I." "Me" is an objective pronoun, not a subjective pronoun (e.g., "My boyfriend gave the puppy to me." is correct, but "Me went to the animal shelter" is not correct.)

3

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

It was a frightening experience when our camping leader left my friend and I to set up camp by ourselves while the wolves were howling. No error

I

when

by ourselves

were

No error

Explanation

When someone is left behind, that person is the object of the action. "Me" is the first person pronoun that is used as an object, not "I." Therefore, the word "I" should be changed to the word "me" in the sentence.

4

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

“I don’t understand why I can’t come to the movies with you,” cried Tina’s younger brother, whom had a strict 8:00 bedtime. No error

whom

don't understand

to the movies

cried

No error

Explanation

The word "whom" is incorrect because it refers to the brother, who is the subject of the sentence (it is the younger brother who does the crying here). Therefore, the correct word choice would be "who."

5

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

At the start of the soccer season, Coach Stan paid a visit to my parents and I to explain why I was cut from varsity. No error

parents and I

At

paid a visit

why

No error

Explanation

"Parents and I" is the object of the preposition "to," so it should instead be "parents and me."

6

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The awkward tension between Sam and Iwas, as it turns out, completely one-sided. No error

Sam and I

awkward

as it turns out

completely one-sided

No error

Explanation

The pronoun "I" is only used as the subject of a sentence. "Me" is used as the object of a verb or (as in this case) a preposition. The corrected sentence reads, "The awkward tension between me and Sam was, as it turns out, completely one-sided."

7

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Startled by the sudden darkness that fell upon the town, Margaret, Thomas, and me stumbled and clutched at each other. No error

me

that fell upon

Startled by

clutched at

No error

Explanation

This sentence has a problem with pronoun case. Since “me” is a subject, it should be “I.” The corrected sentence reads, "Startled by the sudden darkness that fell upon the earth, Margaret, Thomas, and I stumbled and clutched at each other."

8

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

My father told Jon and I that we could keep the stray dog, but the responsibility of caring for it would fall on us.No error

Jon and I

but

caring for it

fall on us

No error

Explanation

The pronoun "I" should be changed to "me" because it is not the subject of the sentence, so the phrase "Jon and I" contains the sentence's error.

9

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

My sister took my hand and solemnly swore that nothing would ever come between her and I. No error

her and I

hand and

solemnly

would ever come

No error

Explanation

In this sentence, the wrong pronoun case is used. “I” is a subject, but here it appears as the object of a preposition. The corrected sentence reads: My sister took my hand and solemnly swore that nothing would ever come between her and me.

10

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I was almost to the exit of the building, but standing between the doors and I was a gigantic security guard looking right at me. No error

the doors and I

exit of

standing

looking right at me

No error

Explanation

This sentence uses the wrong pronoun case. If a first person pronoun is the object of a preposition, it should be “me,” not “I.” The corrected sentence reads, "I was almost to the exit of the building, but standing between me and the doors was a gigantic security guard looking right at me."

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