SAT Writing › Identifying Punctuation Errors
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 going to go for a run today, however, the stormy weather caused me to postpone my workout. No error
today,
was going
however,
me to
No error
The sentence has two independent clauses. Each could be its own sentence: "I was going to go for a run today" and "the stormy weather caused me to postpone my workout." They are joined by a conjunctive adverb, "however." (Other conjunctive adverbs include "accordingly," "consequently," "hence," "moreover," "otherwise," "therefore," and "thus.") When two independent clauses are joined by a conjunctive adverb, they require a semicolon after the first clause, not a comma. The corrected sentence would read, "I was going to go for a run today; however, the stormy weather caused me to postpone my workout."
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Scientists have been tracking the Canadian geeses’ migratory patterns for the better part of thirty years, and they have begun to notice some unusual habits. No error.
geeses'
have been tracking
the better
have begun
No error.
The plural of goose is “geese,” not “geeses,” so the correct possessive form would be “geese’s.” "The better part of" is a commonly used phrase, and "have been tracking" and "have begun" are both the correct forms of the present perfect.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
Hunters in the boreal region have complained about the statewide hunting sanctions, since the local deers’ prevalence has led to the destruction of many valuable crops. No error
the local deers’
No error
sanctions
boreal region
has led to
The plural of deer is “deer,” not “deers,” so the correct possessive form would be “deer’s.” Everything else in the sentence is grammatically correct.
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Scientists have been tracking the Canadian geeses’ migratory patterns for the better part of thirty years, and they have begun to notice some unusual habits. No error.
geeses'
have been tracking
the better
have begun
No error.
The plural of goose is “geese,” not “geeses,” so the correct possessive form would be “geese’s.” "The better part of" is a commonly used phrase, and "have been tracking" and "have begun" are both the correct forms of the present perfect.
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 going to go for a run today, however, the stormy weather caused me to postpone my workout. No error
today,
was going
however,
me to
No error
The sentence has two independent clauses. Each could be its own sentence: "I was going to go for a run today" and "the stormy weather caused me to postpone my workout." They are joined by a conjunctive adverb, "however." (Other conjunctive adverbs include "accordingly," "consequently," "hence," "moreover," "otherwise," "therefore," and "thus.") When two independent clauses are joined by a conjunctive adverb, they require a semicolon after the first clause, not a comma. The corrected sentence would read, "I was going to go for a run today; however, the stormy weather caused me to postpone my workout."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The carousel, originally introduced to Europe during the Crusades, was derived from a jousting game; and later became a staple at fairs and amusement parks. No error
game;
carousel, originally
Crusades,
fairs and amusement parks
No error
A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses. In this case, the phrase after the semicolon is not an independent clause but rather a compound predicate of the subject "The carousel." No punctuation is needed here.
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
He ran to and from the store; several times. No error
;
No error
He ran
and
times.
Semicolons are predominantly used to separate two independent clauses. In the sentence above, the semicolon is incorrect because it is not separating two such clauses. The best way to correct this sentence would be to simply remove the semicolon.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The ceremony began; she lit the candle and passed it to Natasha. No error
No error
The ceremony
began;
lit
passed
"The ceremony began" and "she lit the candle and passed it to Natasha" alone are both independent clauses. A semicolon or a comma with a conjunction can be used to connect the two independent clauses into one sentence. The rest of the sentence is correct as written.
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The man walked into the store; bought his groceries, and went back home. NO ERROR
store; bought
The man
NO ERROR
groceries,
back home.
Introductory or interrupting phrases, i.e. phrases that are subordinate and add information to a sentence but are not necessary to the sentence being complete, must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Using a semi-colon for such a purpose is erroenous. In the sentence above "store; bought" should read "store, bought."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Werent you supposed to be guarding the food stores last night? No error
Werent
supposed
No error
be guarding
night?
"Weren't" is a contraction of the words "were not" and must always contain an apostrophe. "Werent" is incorrect as written in the provided sentence, as it is missing this apostrophe.