SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Question #35 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Imported turmeric, often valued for it’s exotic flavor, also has the health benefit of helping to prevent the mental deterioration of older adults. No error
No error
it's
mental deterioration
flavor
older adults
it's
"It's" is an abbreviated form of "it is." "Its" is the possessive form of "it," and therefore "it's" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.
Example Question #261 : 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.
Ginger is valued not only because of its flavorful properties as a spice and garnish, but also because they have significant health benefits. No error
No error
flavorful properties
but also
they
not only
they
"Ginger" is singular, therefore the pronoun that refers to it in the sentence, "they," should be singular as well. The pronoun "they" is used with plural antecedents, and should be changed to the pronoun "it," which is used with singular neuter antecedents.
Example Question #262 : 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.
The committee had a tradition of voting bimonthly for their quarterly meeting, in which the members discussed important matters. No error
had
their
No error
in which
discussed
their
This is a pronoun agreement error. "Committee" is a group noun, so it is singular. The pronoun "their" refers to the committee but it is plural. "Their" should become "its."
Example Question #211 : 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.
I've had more teachers than I can count, but by far the best one was Mr. Brown, that taught second grade. No error
but
Mr. Brown, that
than
No error
I've had
Mr. Brown, that
Because the dependent clause "that taught second grade" is modifying a person, it needs to be introduced by "who," not "that," so "Mr. Brown, that" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.
Example Question #51 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I must say that I am somewhat jealous of you having your own private, in-home movie theater. No error
private,
somewhat
I must say
No error
somewhat
No error
private,
you having
you having
In this sentence, the word "having" is a gerund—a verb acting as a noun. A person is not jealous of an action but of some thing, in this case, the state of someone's having a movie theater. Since "having" is being treated as a noun, the other parts of speech must treat it as such as well. So the correct form of "you" would be possessive; the sentence should read "I am jealous of your having" just as you would say "I am jealous of your dog."
Example Question #31 : 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.
While on vacation in the Smokey Mountains, Jack saw a brown bear and it's cub run across the road. No error
in the Smokey Mountains,
No error
run across the road
a brown bear and it's cub
While on vacation
a brown bear and it's cub
The phrase "a brown bear and it's cub" contains this sentence's error because it uses "it's," which is the contracted form of "it is," instead of "its," which is the possessive form of the singular pronoun "it." Changing "it's" to "its" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #32 : 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.
If one puts meticulous effort into your studies day after day, one will most likely succeed. No error
one
most likely
your studies
after
No error
your studies
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents. Since the sentence uses the pronoun "one," and remains consistent with that pronoun in the final clause, the pronoun is "your" is incorrect." Pronouns must remain consistent throughout a sentence. One could correct the sentence's error by changing "your" to "one's."
Example Question #71 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
The court documents were brought to myself by the court stenographer when I asked.
bringing to me
brought to I
bringing to myself
brought to myself
brought to me
brought to me
The use of "myself" in the sentence is incorrect. "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun, which means it needs an antecedent it refers to earlier in the sentence. There is no previous mention of a previous first person pronoun. That makes "brought to me" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #5 : 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.
The students were interested in the frogs they had been given for dissection, but most struggled to see it as scientific learning opportunities instead of gross, dead amphibians. No error
they had been given
The students were
No error
for dissection, but
it
it
This sentence's error occurs in its use of the pronoun "it." "It" is a singular pronoun, but in this sentence, it is used to refer to a plural antecedent, "frogs." To correct the sentence's error, you would need to change "it" to "them."
Example Question #45 : Identifying 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.
It is always important for one to be alert when driving because you never know when another driver might come into your lane, or when a pedestrian might cross the street illegally. No error
when
No error
you never know
to be
always
you never know
When a sentence uses "one" as a neutral third-person pronoun, the sentence should not then switch to using "you" instead of "one." Therefore, "you never know" contains the error in this sentence.
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