PSAT Writing : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
What was once a friendly argument between my brother and I quickly became a full-scale brawl. No error.
quickly
my brother and I
What was once
No error.
a full-scale brawl
my brother and I
This sentence uses the wrong pronoun case. “I” is only used as a subject, and “me” is used as an object. Here, as the object of the preposition “between,” “me” is needed. The corrected sentence reads, "What was once a friendly argument between my brother and me quickly became a full-scale brawl."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
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 I was, as it turns out, completely one-sided. No error
as it turns out
Sam and I
completely one-sided
No error
awkward
Sam and I
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."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I say that between you and I, we can definitely eat that entire pizza. No error
No error
we
I say
you and I
between
you and I
The phrase "between you and I" is incorrect because "you" and "I" are acting as the objects of the prepositional phrase "between you and I," where the objective forms of these pronouns ("you" and "me") should be used instead.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
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
received
never
No error
when
Sharon and I
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."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
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
cried
don't understand
to the movies
whom
No error
whom
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."
Example Question #73 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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
adopted
No error
together
me
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.)
Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
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
were
when
I
by ourselves
No error
I
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.
Example Question #5 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
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
that fell upon
clutched at
me
No error
Startled by
me
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."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
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
but
No error
caring for it
Jon and I
fall on us
Jon and I
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.
Example Question #5 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
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
No error
the doors and I
looking right at me
exit of
standing
the doors and I
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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