SAT Writing › Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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
your
should never
to be taken over
another
No error
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."
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
you
it is
is interviewed
well
No 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.
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 plan to study physics in college, one should focus on taking science and math courses in high school. No error
one
to study
taking
and
No error
When using "you" or "one" as the subject of a sentence, you need to be consistent. Because the first half of this sentence uses "you" as the subject, the second half must also use "you"—not "one."
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
one
should
your car
when
No error
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.”
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
you
it's
a lot
stuck
No error
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."
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
one
have
should
for the final exam
No error
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.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The couches, carpets, and wallpaper in her house are each an alarming shade of pink; one often feels as if one has walked into a palace made of cotton candy when you step in the door. No error
when you step in the door
The couches, carpets, and wallpaper in her house
each an alarming shade of pink
often feels
are
The error in this sentence has to do with using both "one" and "you" as pronouns in a single sentence. Once you being using one of these pronouns in a sentence, you should stick with it and not switch to using the other one in mid-sentence. This sentence's latter half begins with "one" and uses the phrase "as if one has walked," but near the end, it switches to using "you" when it says "when you step in the door." To correct this sentence's error, "when you step in the door" should be changed to "when one steps in the door."
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
one
Although
is
their
No error
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."
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
you
When
it is
to it
No error
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.
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
you
might try
it
when
No error
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."