How to choose the right pronoun in a sentence about becoming a doctor.

Pronoun Precision in PACT Writing: A Tiny Change, a Big Difference

Let’s start with a little common-sense puzzle you’ll see again in PACT writing scenarios: what should you use when the subject might be male or female? The right pronoun choice isn’t just about correctness; it’s about clarity, tone, and making your meaning unmistakable. If you want your sentences to sing with clean grammar and inclusive language, the way you handle pronouns matters.

A quick, concrete example to set the scene

Here’s a classic multiple-choice prompt you might encounter in a PACT-style item:

To correct the pronoun issue in the sentence about becoming a doctor, which phrase should be used?

A. If somebody wants to become a doctor, they must be

B. If somebody want to become a doctor, they must be

C. If somebody wants to become a doctor, he or she must be

D. If somebody wants becoming a doctor, they must be

The correct answer is C: If somebody wants to become a doctor, he or she must be. Let me explain why this one lands the clearest and why the others stumble, even if they’re not as monstrous as they look at first glance.

Why this little choice matters

In PACT writing tasks, you’re constantly asked to demonstrate control over subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, and sentence flow. When the subject is “somebody,” a singular noun, the pronoun you use should refer back to that same singular person. That’s what keeps the sentence tidy and unambiguous.

• Clarity comes first. If you switch to a plural pronoun like they, you risk nudging the reader toward thinking the statement applies to multiple people. Yes, today “they” can serve as a singular gender-neutral pronoun, and many writers embrace it. But in certain formal contexts—like the type of items you might see on a PACT test—the more explicit singular form often feels safer and clearer.

• Consistency matters. A single, visible reference to “somebody” calls for a singular pronoun. Mixing singular with plural in a single sentence invites a tiny mental stumble in the reader’s head. Your job as a writer is to keep the reader moving without interruption.

• The balance of formality and inclusivity. “He or she” may feel a touch formal, but it directly acknowledges any gender. It removes ambiguity without begging questions about who is being spoken of. And that’s precisely what you want in a clean, evaluable sentence.

Why the other options trip up

Option A uses “they” after a singular subject, which some readers find off-putting in formal contexts. It’s not that “they” is inherently wrong; it’s that it can introduce a sense of plurality where none exists. In a test scenario, where every word is under scrutiny, this subtle shift can be read as a flaw.

Option B changes the verb to “want” instead of “wants,” creating a subject-verb mismatch with “somebody.” Grammar nerds love it when the agreement is precise, and that mismatch stands out—rightly so.

Option D swaps the structure to “If somebody wants becoming a doctor,” which sounds awkward and breaks the natural flow of the sentence. The risk here isn’t just a minor misstep; it’s a disjointed reading experience, which is exactly what you want to avoid on any formal writing task.

What this teaches about PACT-style language

The core lesson isn’t just about picking the right pronoun in one sentence. It’s about training your eye to spot potential ambiguity, to check agreement, and to balance inclusivity with clarity. The same habits you use here—reading aloud, testing pronoun reference, and keeping sentences tight—will carry you through a wide range of writing tasks.

Practical tips you can return to time and again

• Start with the subject. If you have a singular noun (like “somebody,” “each student,” or “every applicant”), aim for a singular pronoun unless you have a clear reason to switch.

• Read it aloud. If the sentence sounds clunky or forces you to pause to figure out who “they” refers to, rework it.

• Use gender-inclusive but explicit formats when appropriate. “He or she” is explicit and inclusive; “they” is streamlined and common in many contexts. Choose based on formality, audience, and the surrounding text.

• Keep parallel structure. If your sentence starts with “If somebody wants to…,” keep the same verb form: “wants” (not “want” or “wanting”).

• Check the antecedent. If there’s more than one potential referent, you’ll want to be especially careful about pronoun choice to avoid confusion.

A quick mental checklist for your own writing

• Does the pronoun clearly refer to a single antecedent?

• Is the number (singular/plural) aligned throughout the sentence?

• Is the tone appropriate for the context (formal vs. casual)?

• Does the sentence read smoothly when spoken aloud?

• Is the meaning preserved if I switch to a more explicit form like “he or she” or “they”?

A tiny detour you might appreciate

Pronoun choices aren’t purely about rule-checking; they signal audience awareness. In many professional settings, “he or she” remains a go-to for unambiguous reference, while in more casual or inclusive contexts, “they” may be perfectly fine. It’s a reminder that good writing often walks a line between precision and inclusivity, tailoring the choice to the audience and purpose.

Bringing it back to the broader skill set

If you’re navigating PACT-style writing items, you’ll encounter more scenarios where pronoun reference, verb form, and sentence rhythm must harmonize. The moment you train your eye to spot a loose pronoun—before you even scan the rest of the options—you gain a reliable early signal about the quality of the sentence. It’s not a single trick; it’s a pattern you can apply across countless prompts.

A few real-world connections to keep you grounded

• Style guides are your friend. When in doubt, a quick check against a trusted reference like APA or Chicago helps resolve questions about formality and pronoun use. These guides don’t just nag you with rules; they offer practical templates for clear communication.

• Everyday writing benefits. The same pronoun precision you practice here streams into emails, essays, and reports. People tend to trust prose that reads cleanly and avoids unnecessary ambiguity.

• Language evolves, but clarity endures. You’ll hear a lot of talk about inclusive language, and that’s good. Just remember that even as language shifts, your aim in each sentence remains: clarity, correctness, and reader engagement.

A small exercise you can try (no pressure, just exploration)

Set up a similar sentence with a different blank subject, for example:

• If somebody wants to be a nurse, ____ must complete the training.

Try both versions:

• he or she

• they

See which one feels tighter and more precise for the context you’re writing in. Note how the choice affects not only grammar but rhythm and tone. This kind of micro-practice helps you build instinct for later, more complex prompts.

Final thoughts: small changes, bigger impact

That tiny tweak in pronoun choice—going with “he or she” after “somebody” in a single, clean line—can make your writing feel trustworthy and careful. In PACT writing tasks, where every sentence is on the clock, a clear, precise line of thought matters more than a flashy turn of phrase. When you approach sentences with a method—the subject, the number, the pronoun, the flow—you’ll notice a steadier hand behind the words.

If you’re looking to sharpen this muscle, keep your eye on pronoun-antecedent relationships, practice a few variations, and read your sentences aloud. You’ll start spotting not just what’s technically correct, but what reads as natural and confident to a reader who is scanning for meaning.

In the end, it’s about making meaning easy to grasp. A well-chosen pronoun is the smallest thing that can make the biggest difference. And in the maps and prompts you’ll encounter in PACT writing, that clarity is what keeps you moving forward—one clear sentence at a time.