SAT Writing › 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. 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that it can be fixed promptly.
I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that the drill can be fixed promptly.
I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that you can be fixed promptly.
I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that he can be fixed promptly.
I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that she can be fixed promptly.
I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that it can be fixed promptly.
Whenever you have multiple antecedents in a sentence, you must be extremely clear with pronoun usage in order to avoid any ambiguity. In the sentence above, "it" could refer to either "the drill" or "the trunk." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "I insist that you take the drill out of the trunk so that the drill can be fixed promptly."
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.
George and Wilfred are both incredibly talented wrestlers, but he is definitely stronger.
but Wilfred is definitely stronger.
but she is definitely stronger.
but he is definitely stronger.
but you is definitely stronger.
but they are definitely stronger.
Sentence with multiple antecedents must be extremely clear in their pronoun usage in order to avoid any ambiguity. In the sentence above, "he" could refer to either "George" or "Wilfred." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but Wilfred is definitely stronger."
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Please take the pencil and the notebook off of my desk, then put it in your backpack.
Please take the pencil and the notebook off of my desk, then put the pencil in your backpack.
Please take the pencil and the notebook off of my desk, then put it in your backpack.
Please take the pencil and the notebook off of my desk, then put they in your backpack.
Please take the pencil and the notebook off of my desk, then put us in your backpack.
Please take the pencil and the notebook off of my desk, then put its in your backpack.
Whenever you have multiple antecedents in a sentence, you must be extremely clear with pronoun usage in order to avoid any ambiguity. In the sentence above, "it" could refer to either "the pencil" or "the notebook." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "Please take the pencil and the notebook off of my desk, then put the pencil in your backpack."
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 Burger Shoppe was out of food, but we wanted to try to eat it anyway, so we broke in.
but we wanted to try to eat Burger Shoppe's food anyway,
but we wanted to try to eat it anyway,
but we wanted to try to eat Burger Shoppe's anyway,
but we wanted to try to eat Burger Shoppes anyway,
but we wanted to try to eat them anyway,
In the sentence above, the antecedent of the pronoun "them" is unclear. It does not make sense to eat a Burger Shoppe restaurant. Clearly what the author of the sentence is trying to indicate is that they need to eat some food, probably from Burger Shoppe. In order to clear up the ambiguity, you must use a noun instead of a pronoun. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but we wanted to try to eat Burger Shoppe's food anyway."
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.
I love pork chops and I love steaks, but I prefer to eat them whenever I have a choice between the two.
I love pork chops and I love steaks, but I prefer to eat pork chops whenever I have a choice between the two.
I love pork chops and I love steaks, but I prefer to eat them whenever I have a choice between the two.
I love pork chops and I love steaks, but I prefer to eat it whenever I have a choice between the two.
I love pork chops and I love steaks, but I prefer to eat him whenever I have a choice between the two.
I love pork chops and I love steaks, but I prefer to eat those whenever I have a choice between the two.
Whenever you have multiple antecedents in a sentence, you must be extremely clear with pronoun usage in order to avoid any ambiguity. In the sentence above, "them" could refer to either "pork chops" or "steaks." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "I love pork chops and I love steaks, but I prefer to eat pork chops whenever I have a choice between the two."
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The principal emailed William's father's computer to let him know his son was missing from school again, but he never responded.
The principal emailed William's father to let him know his son was missing from school again,
The principal emailed William's father's computer to let him know his son was missing from school again,
The principal emailed Williams' computer to let him know his son was missing from school again,
The principal emailed Williams father's computer to let him know his son was missing from school again,
The principal emailed William's father's computers to let him know his son was missing from school again,
In the sentence above, the antecedent of the pronoun "him" is unclear. "Him" cannot refer to a computer, as computers are genderless (for now). Clearly what the author of the sentence is trying to indicate is that the principal had to email "William's father," but William's father never responded. In order to clear up the ambiguity, you must clarify the antecedent. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "The principal emailed William's father to let him know his son was missing from school again."