SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #36 : 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.
Jeremiah always tried to avoid cleaning the toilets, sometimes he would volunteer to do other chores instead, like washing the dishes. No error
toilets, sometimes
instead, like
No error
other
avoid
toilets, sometimes
This sentence features two independent clauses separated by a comma, otherwise known as a comma splice. The sentence needs to be separated by a conjunction like "and" or "so," or by a punctuation mark that divides the sentence into two, like a period or a semicolon.
Example Question #37 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed in order to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The incompetent plumber did not know the source of the problem, he wasted an hour of my day while he called his supervisor in hopes of hearing a second, wiser opinion. No error
problem, he
The incompetent plumber
source
No error
a second, wiser
problem, he
This is a comma splice. The two clauses in this sentence are both independent clauses, meaning each could stand on its own as a full sentence. For that reason, they must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma WITH a conjunction.
Example Question #38 : 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.
Despite its complexities, the bill should lead to a vastly improved living standard for the population, it will be happy and wealthy. No error
No error
its
population, it will
vastly improved living standard
should lead
population, it will
Because the comma after "population" separates two independent clauses, there must be a coordinating conjunction after the comma. Alternatively, a semicolon could be inserted in lieu of the comma. Using just a single comma to join two independent clauses creates a comma splice.
Example Question #41 : 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 have a lot of diverse and unique interests, perhaps the strangest interest of them all is that I really enjoy chopping peppers. No error
I have a lot
strangest interest
unique interests,
I really
No error
unique interests,
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma, this results in an error known as a "comma splice." In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. Replacing the comma with a semicolon is probably the most concise way to fix this sentence, while keeping it one sentence. The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "unique interests,"
Example Question #42 : 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've had an incredibly long day, I worked for almost eleven hours. No error
for
I've had
day,
No error
eleven hours.
day,
In the example sentence both "I've had an incredibly long day" and "I worked for almost eleven hours" are acting as grammatically complete, independent clauses. Thus, the comma after "day" must either be replaced with a semicolon, or have a coordinating conjunction added after it. The other option would be to replace the comma with a period and make this compound sentence into two separate sentences.
Example Question #43 : 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.
Paul found himself in a rather difficult situation the other day, he'd insulted nearly every other researcher on the base with his crass comments. No error
a rather difficult
Paul found himself
No error
the other day, he'd
every other researcher
the other day, he'd
In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses, as both clauses are independent, meaning they could act as their own grammatically complete sentence. Should you choose to connect two such clauses into a compound sentence your choices are to replace the comma with a semicolon (and no conjunction) or to add a coordinating conjunction after the comma. The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "the other day, he'd"
Example Question #44 : 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.
It's been extraordinarily difficult to communicate with the outside world lately, I am worried that our communications tower has been damaged by the storms. No error
been damaged by the storms.
No error
It's been extraordinarily
our communications tower
world lately, I am
world lately, I am
The example sentence makes a comma splice error by attempting to connect two independent clauses into a single compound sentence using only a comma. The comma after lately either needs an appropriate coordinating conjunction added after it, or needs to be replaced with a semicolon (and no accompanying conjunction).
Example Question #45 : 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 got charged three hundred dollars at the box office, I had thought that one of the actors was going to purchase my ticket. No error
I got charged
No error
office, I had
that one
dollars at
office, I had
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma, this results in an error known as the "comma splice." In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "office, I had"
The two, equally grammatically correct, options to fix this sentence would be to add an appropriate coordinating conjunction or to simply replace the comma with a semicolon.
Example Question #46 : 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'm having a very hard time acting right now, I find myself easily distracted when I'm onstage. No error
No error
easily distracted
right now, I find
very hard
I'm having
right now, I find
This sentence includes a comma splice. The comma between "now" and "I" either needs to be replaced with a semicolon or have an appropriate coordinating conjunction added after it.
Note also that "I'm" is a correct contraction of "I am."
Example Question #47 : 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.
You're one of the most irritating people I have ever met, I'm not a huge fan of the way you comport yourself. No error
No error
met, I'm
you comport yourself.
You're one
irritating people
met, I'm
Here, the comma between "met" and "I'm" creates a comma splice, since it joins two independent clauses without an appropriate coordinating conjunction. The best option, stylistically and grammatically, to fix this sentence would be to add the coordinating conjunction "and" after the comma.
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