SAT Writing : Identifying Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Identifying Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We didn't have to look too hard for the owner of the green striped men's socks; only Jeremy would ever wear socks that tacky. No error
socks that tacky
No error
green striped men's socks
would ever
too hard
green striped men's socks
In the sentence above, the adjectives "green" and "striped" are intended to modify "socks" but have been misplaced to modify "men's" instead.
Example Question #21 : Identifying Modifier Placement 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 budding poet finished, during the first year of college, twenty poems and a novella, but she was too afraid to show any of them to her parents. No error
of them
No error
novella, but
budding
during the first year of college
during the first year of college
The error in this sentence is "during the first year of college" because it is an interrupting modifier. An interrupting modifier seperates the verb ("wrote") from its direct object ("twenty poems and a novella"), making the sentence less clear. A corrected sentence would be: "During the first year of college, the budding poet wrote twenty poems and a novella, but she was too afraid to show any of them to her parents."
Example Question #22 : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It is possible that James will have been able to afford the vacation if he had saved more of his money. No error
will have
been able
had saved
No error
if
will have
The phrases “been able” and “had saved” are both referring to something that did or could have happened in the past. In keeping with the same tense, “will have” should be in the conditional form that would correctly describe a possibility in the past—“would have.”
Example Question #63 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Our physics teacher is famous for distributing papers to students while at the same time chewing his gum quite loudly. No error
No error
physics
at the same time
distributing
loudly
at the same time
“At the same time” means the same thing as “while.” Therefore, it is redundant, and doesn't need to be included in the sentence.
Example Question #64 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Certain colors are associated with certain emotions in our minds, and while certain smells are associated with certain memories. No error
associated
and while
with
are
No error
and while
Either "while" or "and" could be used as a proper transition between the two sections of the sentence, but the phrase "and while" is overly wordy and therefore incorrect.
Example Question #171 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Our Algebra homework this week was definitely without a doubt the most challenging assignment yet, so it was gratifying to get a perfect score on it. No error
No error
most
without a doubt
Algebra
yet, so
without a doubt
"Without a doubt" means the same thing as "definitely" and therefore does not need to be included in the sentence.
Example Question #172 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When Lonnie stepped onto the field, he was definitely without a doubt the most confident member of our high school marching band. No error.
No error
When Lonnie stepped
our
most confident
definitely without a doubt
definitely without a doubt
"Without a doubt" means the same thing as "definitely," and is therefore redundant when used in the above sentence.
Example Question #96 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While when Rachel was cleaning her apartment, she found her long-lost high school yearbook beneath her cat's bed. No error.
found
long-lost
beneath
No error
when
when
In the sentence above, "when" is redundant since "While" is already used.
Example Question #173 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jonah was really thirsty during the day, but however he didn't have enough money to buy a bottle of water from the vending machine. No error.
to buy
from
No error
however
really
however
In the sentence above, "however" is redundant, since "but" is already used.
Example Question #98 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
April's pencils were not all sharpened, even though although she had run them through the sharpener several times. No error.
No error
were not
although
several
run them
although
In this instance, "although" means the same thing as "even though" and is therefore redundant.
All SAT Writing Resources
