SAT Writing : Identifying Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Whether you intend to marry Eliza and not, you must start treating her with respect. No error
and
her
No error
must start
intend
and
Whenever you see the word "whether," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "and" in the sentence above should be changed to "or." This makes the correct sentence "Whether you intend to marry Eliza or not, you must start treating her with respect."
Example Question #1228 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Phillip wanted neither to clean his room or to babysit his younger brother. No error
or
No error
brother.
wanted
to
or
Since Phillip wanted "neither" option, the word "or" must be replaced with "nor" to agree with "neither."
Example Question #734 : Identifying 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.
Not only have you failed to heed my advice, but you have done the worst thing imaginable, given the situation. No error
Not only
No error
to heed
imaginable, given
but you
but you
Whenever you see the conjunction "not only," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "but also." As such, the "but" in the sentence above should be changed to "but you have also."
Example Question #735 : Identifying 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.
Whether you want to be a fitness nut nor not, you must eat fewer french fries. No error
want
french fries
No error
nor
Whether
nor
Whenever you see the conjunction "whether," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or." "Nor" is a correlative conjunction used with "neither."
Example Question #23 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Both Suzannah or Adrienne were excellent children; they always did as they were told. No error
No error
always did
excellent children;
Both Suzannah or Adrienne
were told.
Both Suzannah or Adrienne
Whenever you see the conjunction "both," and it is followed by a conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and." "Or" is a correlative conjunction used with "either."
Example Question #24 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Both the Supreme Court nor the Senate are venerable political institutions in the United States of America. No error
venerable political institutions
United States of America
No error
the Supreme Court
nor
nor
Whenever you see the word "both" used as a conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "and."
Example Question #25 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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 was hard for the children to make the choice their parents had set before them; on their day off, they could either go to the new movie they'd been anticipating but they could invite their friends over for a pool party. No error
go to the new movie
but they could invite
for the children to make
No error
their parents had set
but they could invite
The use of the word "either" implies that a choice must be made, and signals the coming of the word "or." The correct sentence would read "It was hard for the children to make the choice their parents had set before them; on their day off, they could either go to the new movie they'd been anticipating or they could invite their friends over for a pool party." This makes the correct selection "but they could invite."
Example Question #26 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
There was no way out of this sticky situation; the administration was stuck between a rock or a hard place. No error
way out of
a rock
or a hard place
the administration was
No error
or a hard place
When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "between" signals the coming use of the word "and." This means that the phrase in the sentence should read "between a rock and a hard place," and makes the correct selection "or a hard place."
Example Question #21 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Sonya was in complete agreement with everything the speaker had said; if there is to be change, and someone must step up and be the leader. No error
was in complete agreement
to be change
No error
everything the speaker
and someone must
and someone must
When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "if" signals the coming of the word "then." This means that the sentence should read "if there is to be change, then someone must step up and be the leader," making the correct selection "and someone must."
Example Question #28 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
John enjoys foods from many different culinary backgrounds, so it will be difficult for him to choose which dish he likes better between the Japanese sushi rolls or the Thai curry. No error
from
No error
so it will
or
which dish
or
Given that John is choosing between two different options and the sentence uses the word "between" to describe his choosing between these options, "and" should be used to describe his selection of options, not "or."
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