SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #243 : 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.

An anthropologist always needs to ensure that their notes are meticulous and organized; detailed and accessible records are key to successful fieldwork. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

are

successful

their

organized; detailed

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

In this sentence, the pronoun “their” does not correspond in number with its antecedent “an anthropologist.” “Their” is plural, but there is only one anthropologist. The corrected sentence reads, "An anthropologist always needs to ensure that his or her notes are meticulous and organized; detailed and accessible records are key to successful fieldwork."

Example Question #52 : 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.

A politician has to choose their words carefully; political opponents and the media are always eager for a compromising quote. No error

Possible Answers:

are

carefully

their

No error

eager for

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

In this sentence, the pronoun “their” does not match in number with its antecedent “a politician.” The pronoun is plural and the antecedent is singular. The corrected sentence would read: A politician has to choose his or her words carefully; political opponents and the media are always eager for a compromising quote.

Example Question #11 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

He had wanted to uproot the weeds in the backyard and plant a real garden, but he never seemed to have time to do itNo error

Possible Answers:

had wanted

garden, but

and

to do it

No error

Correct answer:

to do it

Explanation:

This sentence uses the preposition “it” to refer to the actions of uprooting weeds and planting a garden. “It” should refer to a thing, not an action. A more appropriate choice would be “so”: "He had wanted to uproot the weeds in the backyard and plant a real garden, but he never seemed to have time to do so."

Example Question #52 : 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.

Rita tries to arrive ten minutes early to every meeting, but sometimes the rush hour traffic makes it impossible to do itNo error

Possible Answers:

ten minutes

No error

but

impossible

do it

Correct answer:

do it

Explanation:

In this sentence, the pronoun “it” refers to the action of arriving ten minutes early. Since that is a verb, the better phrase would be “do so.” The corrected sentence reads, "Rita tries to arrive ten minutes early to every meeting, but sometimes the rush hour traffic makes it impossible to do so."

Example Question #211 : Psat Writing Skills

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Each of the students is required to come to the stage to read their essays, in order to practice public speaking. No error

Possible Answers:

is required

their essays

No error

Each

in order to

Correct answer:

their essays

Explanation:

Look for pronoun agreement: "each" is a similiar subject, and cannot be paired with "their," a plural pronoun.

Example Question #192 : 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.

No one knows what his or her future holds: everyone's destiny is unwritten. No error

Possible Answers:

his or her

everyone's

No one

No error

holds

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

There is no error. The pronouns are correct: "no one" is singular, and is correctly matched with "his or her."

Example Question #52 : 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.

Each of the scientists on the team came to their own conclusion; in the end, there was no clear conclusion to the studyNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

was

conclusion

their own

to the study

Correct answer:

their own

Explanation:

Look here for pronoun agreement: "each" is a singular subject and requires a corresponding singular pronoun. The correct pronoun would be "his," "her," or "his or her," rather than "their."

Example Question #211 : Psat Writing Skills

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Wooly mammoths, an extinct species of elephant, certainly deserved its name—a newborn calf could weigh 200 pounds! No error

Possible Answers:

its name

could weigh

species of elephant

No error

newborn

Correct answer:

its name

Explanation:

In this sentence, the pronoun “its” does not agree in number with its antecedent “Wooly mammoths.” The corrected sentence reads: Wooly mammoths, an extinct species of elephant, certainly deserved their name—a newborn calf could weigh 200 pounds!

Example Question #53 : 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.

The North American moose population has declined, but their cultural popularity in everything from children’s books to hip t-shirts has grown. No error  

Possible Answers:

No error

has declined

from children’s books to hip t-shirts

their

moose

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

In this sentence the plural pronoun “their” refers to the singular subject “moose population.” The singular pronoun should be used instead. The corrected sentence reads: The North American moose population has declined, but its cultural popularity in everything from children’s books to hip t-shirts has grown.

Example Question #51 : 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.

Mitosis is a process when cells undergo division in order to create two new cells. No error

Possible Answers:

undergo

is

No error

to create

when

Correct answer:

when

Explanation:

When describing a idea, concept, or process, we refer to it with the phrase "in which." Mitosis is not a time when cells undergo division, but rather a process in which cells undergo division.

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