SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Identifying Verb 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 runners were clearly exhausted and had even begun to limp, the coach wouldn’t let them rest until they had ran the entire course. No error
No error
Even though
had even begun
limp,
they had ran
they had ran
Here we have an error with the present perfect. The correct conjugation is “they had run,” not “they had ran.”
Example Question #1021 : 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.
Although the weather had became terribly cold and dry of late, a warm front with showers was on its way. No error
had became
of late
No error
was
Although
had became
The error here lies in the verb agreement. Because the past participle is called for, the verb should employ both the past form of the verb "have" (i.e., "had," as it does) and the present form of the verb "become" (i.e., "become," as it does not). Thus, the past form of "become" is incorrect and must be changed to the present form.
Example Question #1022 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
We anticipated that John and Michael would want to quickly solve the assigned problems so that they could go home and rest. No error
and
quickly
problems
No error
anticipated
quickly
The phrase "to quickly solve" is an example of what is called a split infinitive: the infinitive form of the verb ("to solve") interrupted by another word. In general, modifiers should not interrupt the infinitive structure. The phrase should be corrected to move the word "quickly" to a new position in the sentence (eg., "...John and Michael would want to solve the assigned problems quickly...").
Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The eldest male dog became awfully selfish during feeding time, he would not even let his own pups get a scrap of food. No error
awfully
feeding
No error
time, he
eldest
time, he
Two independent clauses that can each stand alone must be separated by either a period or a semicolon, or connected by a comma followed by a conjunction. Because this sentence doesn't include a conjunction like "and" after its comma, it is incorrect. (This error, where two independent clauses are incorrectly connected by a comma, is known as a "comma splice.")
Example Question #661 : 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.
Anna, questioning her decision, looked to her brother, however he wouldn't meet her eye. No error
brother, however
Anna, questioning
No error
wouldn't meet
decision, looked
brother, however
The clause, "however, he wouldn't meet her eye," is an independent clause and must be separated by a semicolon or a coordinating conjunction.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I stayed up late last night baking chocolate chip cookies, this morning when I woke up the house smelled so good that it made me hungry. No error
cookies,
baking
stayed up late
smelled so good
No error
cookies,
This is a run-on sentence. The two independent clauses need to be split into two separate sentences, or separated by a semicolon.
Example Question #161 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Car, bicycle, and bus are the only means of transportation in this city, there is no metro system available yet. No error
only
No error
city, there
bus are
available yet
city, there
A comma should only be used to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause: here it is separating two independent clauses, so a period or semi-colon is more appropritate.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The kids at the pumpkin patch screeched and spun around in circles all day, they bothered their teacher tremendously. No error
day, they
in circles
tremendously
screeched
No error
day, they
This is an example of a comma splice. The two independent clauses should be separated by a period, a semi-colon, or a comma and a conjunction, not by just a comma, which is used to separate independent and dependent clauses.
Example Question #161 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
How many times do I have to tell you, you have to tie the garbage bags securely or we will have animals in our trash. No error
How many times
we will have
you, you
No error
securely
you, you
The first clause of this sentence, "How many times do I have to tell you," is actually a rhetorical question. It is an independent clause and therefore must be separated with stronger punctuation than just a comma. In this case, it would be appropriate to set it off as its own sentence, ending in a question mark, but regardless, the comma splice in "you, you" is what makes this sentence ungrammatical.
Example Question #6 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a truly useful substance, it can be used for cooking, baking, and cleaning. No error.
soda, also known
No error.
is
substance, it
truly useful
substance, it
A comma cannot be used by itself to join two independent clauses, so "substance, it" contains this sentence's error. The first independent clause in this sentence is "Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a truly useful substance." The second independent clause is "It can be used for cooking, baking, and cleaning." Two independent clauses can be joined into a compound sentence in one of two ways: by using a comma followed by a conjunction or by using a semicolon.
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