59(C) “worked” is a past tense verb. Is the sentence in the past? Yes! While Harriet Tubman is
still well known (present), she worked as a cook and spy in the past.
(D) “guiding” is a gerund. Should it be “to guide”? Nope, the gerund correctly sets up the
dependent clause that follows the comma and is parallel to “freeing.”
Revised sentence: who
Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist which is well
A Pronoun Agreement
known for her work with the Underground Railroad,
B
first worked for the Union Army as a cook and a
C
nurse, and eventually as an armed spy, guiding the
D
Combahee River Raid and freeing more than 700
slaves in South Carolina. No error
E
Correct Answer: (A)
Let’s check the answer choices one by one to catch the Pronoun Case error.
(A) “studying” is a gerund so let’s switch it to an infinitive. Some theologians to study the life of
Jesus...that doesn’t work! “Studying” is fine as is.
(B) “have become” is a present perfect verb. (Notice the use of have connected to the past
participle become.) Is this an action that either floats at no set time in the past or starts in
the past but continues on into the present? Yes! The theologians have become increasingly
interested, which indicates that the interest has been building gradually in the past and
continues to grow in the present.
(C) “increasingly” is an adverb modifying the adjective “interested.” That checks fine.
(D) “he” is a pronoun. Check for pronoun ambiguity. “He” refers to Jesus so no problem there.
Jesus is singular and “he” is singular so there is no pronoun agreement error. Let’s check for
pronoun case. “He” is a subject pronoun. Cross out his disciples and; the pronoun phrase
is meant to distract you. What word comes before the pronoun “he” now? “Between,” which
is a preposition. Do subject pronouns follow prepositions? No! Object pronouns do, so
change the he to him. It is common for ETS to try to trick you with a “between” so be on
the lookout! It shouldn’t be between Sue and I, it needs to be between Sue and me!
Some theologians studying the life of Jesus
A
have become increasingly interested in the relationship
B C
between his disciples and he. No error
D E