SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #361 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My cousin insists on eating hole wheat bread because it is supposed to contain more fiber than the white bread that the rest of our family eats. No error
on
it is
than
hole
No error
hole
The "whole" in "whole wheat" refers to the use of whole grains. "Hole" is a noun, and conveys a physical hole. In this context, the underlined word should be spelled "whole," not "hole."
Example Question #362 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Like a mussel, patience can be strengthened with exercise, time, practice, and persistence. No error
mussel
with
No error
can be
and
mussel
A "mussel" is a type of shellfish and is not appropriate for this sentence. The word that the sentence needs to use is "muscle."
Example Question #71 : Identifying Other Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even though the teacher told the student, "You have to remove you're shoes," the advice made no impact. No error
though
student,
made
you're
No error
you're
The underlined word, "you're" should be "your," as it is reflecting the student's possession of his or her shoes. "You're" is used when intending to communicate "you are," which would not be appropriate for this sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It doesn’t matter weather it is rainy or sunny tomorrow, because the volleyball team is sure to hold practice. No error
because
weather
sure to
No error
or
weather
When describing two possibilities, the appropriate word is “whether,” not “weather,” which refers to the climate.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bill, who was not looking forward to seeing his mean cousins, told his mother, “There going to make fun of me.” No error
forward to
There
who
No error
his
There
"They’re" is a contraction that means “they are," whereas "there" refers to a specified location. “They’re” is the appropriate word to use in this sentence, not “there.”
Example Question #251 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Mario yelled, “You’re not the only one whose tired; it’s been a long day, and practice was truly exhausting.” No error
whose
you're
yelled,
it's
No error
whose
The contraction “who’s," which is a shortened form of "who is," should replace “whose,” which is a possessive pronoun and doesn't make sense in the sentence.
Example Question #363 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many people are not aware of the duel function of honey; it’s both a natural sweetener and an antiseptic for lesions and other wounds. No error
it's
No error
Many people are
duel
honey;
duel
A "duel” is a fight that adheres to a specific set of rules, while “dual” means having the quality of two. So, "duel" is being incorrectly used in this sentence, and to correct the sentence's error, you would need to replace "duel" with "dual."
Example Question #361 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
They're really excited that their are so many flavors to choose from for the birthday cake. No error
They're
their
that
No error
to
their
"Their" is a possessive pronoun that means "belonging to them," but nothing is being possessed by anyone here; the flavors do not belong to anyone in this sentence. "There" would be more appropriate.
Example Question #362 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Randy warned his children that they’re family would stand out once they moved to Tokyo, simply because of how different they would look compared to many other people in Japan. No error
his
once
they're
how
No error
they're
“They’re” is used to abbreviate the phrase “they are,” while “their” is used to show possession. Since possession is being shown, “their” should be used, not “they’re.”
Example Question #363 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even though Sarah knew that going to the basketball game instead of studying was what lead to her bad grade on her math test, she felt it was worth it. No error
that
lead
instead of
No error
though
lead
“Lead” is the present tense form of the verb “to lead” for a plural noun. However, the appropriate form of the verb for the singular subject (Sarah) in the past tense is “led.”
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