SAT Writing › Identifying Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The events director, along with the administrative staff, are responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothly. No error
are
along with
making sure
smoothly
No error
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the number of the subject. The subject is singular (the administrative staff is in a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form would be “is.” The corrected sentence reads, "The events director, along with the administrative staff, is responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothly."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The events director, along with the administrative staff, are responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothly. No error
are
along with
making sure
smoothly
No error
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the number of the subject. The subject is singular (the administrative staff is in a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form would be “is.” The corrected sentence reads, "The events director, along with the administrative staff, is responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothly."
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.
Everyone has their fair share of troubles, and some suffer mightily for them. No error
their
Everyone
of
suffer
No error
The noun "everyone" is a third person, singular noun. Therefore, the correct pronoun to use in conjunction with "everyone" is "his" or "her." While the "troubles" are plural this have no bearing on the pronoun agreement which precedes them.
The full correct version of this sentence would read: "Everyone has his or her fair share of troubles, and some suffer mightily for them."
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.
Everyone has their fair share of troubles, and some suffer mightily for them. No error
their
Everyone
of
suffer
No error
The noun "everyone" is a third person, singular noun. Therefore, the correct pronoun to use in conjunction with "everyone" is "his" or "her." While the "troubles" are plural this have no bearing on the pronoun agreement which precedes them.
The full correct version of this sentence would read: "Everyone has his or her fair share of troubles, and some suffer mightily for them."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jordan and Marvin’s mother has decided that they will become a lawyer when they grow up, but they seem more artistically inclined. No error
a lawyer
they
up, but
artistically inclined
No error
This sentence's error is a discrepancy in number. Two children are mentioned, "Jordan and Marvin," so logically, they would grow up to become two different lawyers. The sentence uses the singular noun "a lawyer" where it should use the plural noun "lawyers," so "lawyer" is the correct answer.
The corrected sentence reads, "Jordan and Marvin’s mother has decided that they will become lawyers when they grow up, but they seem more artistically inclined."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jordan and Marvin’s mother has decided that they will become a lawyer when they grow up, but they seem more artistically inclined. No error
a lawyer
they
up, but
artistically inclined
No error
This sentence's error is a discrepancy in number. Two children are mentioned, "Jordan and Marvin," so logically, they would grow up to become two different lawyers. The sentence uses the singular noun "a lawyer" where it should use the plural noun "lawyers," so "lawyer" is the correct answer.
The corrected sentence reads, "Jordan and Marvin’s mother has decided that they will become lawyers when they grow up, but they seem more artistically inclined."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Polydactyl cats can have seven toes on each feet, a fact that makes me wonder whether the extra digits make it easier for them to scratch things. No error
feet
seven toes
that makes me wonder whether
easier
No error
The sentence uses the phrase "seven toes on each feet," and this is incorrect because "each" is used to describe a singular noun, but "feet" is plural. Changing "feet" to "foot" corrects this error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After Emily picked out a dress, tights, and a pair of shoes in the newly opened store, she paid for it at the counter. No error
it
picked out
a pair of shoes
newly opened
No error
This question is looking for agreement between the nouns in the sentence—"a dress, tights, and a pair of shoes" and "it." Since Emily is buying multiple items, "a dress, tights, and a pair of shoes" is plural and the corresponding noun of "it" should be as well. "It" is singular and therefore incorrect; the second half of the sentence should be fixed to "she paid for them at the counter."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Polydactyl cats can have seven toes on each feet, a fact that makes me wonder whether the extra digits make it easier for them to scratch things. No error
feet
seven toes
that makes me wonder whether
easier
No error
The sentence uses the phrase "seven toes on each feet," and this is incorrect because "each" is used to describe a singular noun, but "feet" is plural. Changing "feet" to "foot" corrects this error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After Emily picked out a dress, tights, and a pair of shoes in the newly opened store, she paid for it at the counter. No error
it
picked out
a pair of shoes
newly opened
No error
This question is looking for agreement between the nouns in the sentence—"a dress, tights, and a pair of shoes" and "it." Since Emily is buying multiple items, "a dress, tights, and a pair of shoes" is plural and the corresponding noun of "it" should be as well. "It" is singular and therefore incorrect; the second half of the sentence should be fixed to "she paid for them at the counter."