SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Question #211 : 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.
Brad knew that if he was serious about becoming a professional musician, he should really be practicing trumpet for three hours a day. No error
No error
musician,
becoming
was
should really be
was
This question is testing knowledge of verb mood. Since the sentence contains a hypothetical condition indicated by "if," the verb before "serious" should be in the subjunctive mood, which expresses wishes, desires, and hypothetical situations. A corrected sentence would look like this: "Brad knew that if he were serious about becoming a professional musician, he should really be practicing trumpet for three hours a day."
Example Question #212 : 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.
If I was in your position, I would let Erica know immediately. No error
No error
let
was
position,
know
was
The sentence is in the subjunctive mood, so "was" must be replaced with "were." The subjunctive mood is used to describe a suggestion, a command, a wish, or a condition that is not factual.
Example Question #213 : 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.
I suggest that you are at my seminar later; you need lessons about business acumen. No error
I suggest
seminar later;
No error
you need lessons
you are at
you are at
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the word "suggest" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The sentence should read: "I suggest that you be at my seminar later; you need lessons about business acumen."
Example Question #214 : 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 dentist ordered that I be still while he powered up his drill. No error
No error
powered up
while
I be still
The dentist ordered
No error
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the word "ordered" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The sentence is correct as it is written.
Example Question #215 : 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 young businessman made a proposal to his partner that he buys more office supplies for their company. No error
he buys more
The young businessman
No error
their company.
to his partner
he buys more
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the words "made a proposal" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used.
The sentence should read: "The young businessman made a proposal to his partner that he buy more office supplies for their company."
Example Question #216 : 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.
If the politician was a smarter man, he would not have crossed the senator. No error
If the politician
crossed
was
No error
he would
was
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility rather than truth. In the sentence above, because the word "If" begins the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The correct subjunctive construction of the sentence above is "If the politician were a smarter man, he would not have crossed the senator."
Example Question #217 : 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.
Everyone agreed that Mrs. Powell were the best English teacher they'd ever had. No error
No error
English
Everyone
were
had
were
The verb "were" may be appropriately used if it describes a plural noun (as in "the Powells were the best English teachers") or if it describes a hypothetical situation in the subjunctive mood (as in "if Mrs. Powell were an English teacher, she would be the best"). In this case, it is more appropriate to use "was" instead.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
My mother explained the process to me in an excruciating detailed manner; you don’t need to worry about me forgetting anything.
excruciating
anything
to me
No error
manner; you
excruciating
In this sentence, the adjective “excruciating” is used to describe the other adjective “detailed.” Adverbs should describe adjectives, so the adverb form “excruciatingly” would be better. The corrected sentence reads: My mother explained the process to me in an excruciatingly detailed manner; you don’t need to worry about me forgetting anything.
Example Question #411 : Identifying Sentence Errors
The kite caught the breeze, flew up in the air, danced graceful about the sky, and lodged itself in a tree.
flew
in the air
and lodged itself in a tree
No error
graceful
graceful
In this sentence, the adjective “graceful” is used to describe the verb “danced.” Adverbs, not adjectives, should describe verbs, so the adverb version “gracefully” would be better. The corrected sentence reads: The kite caught the breeze, flew up in the air, danced gracefully about the sky, and lodged itself in a tree.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
It was impossible to choose between the litter, because all of the kittens were just too adorable!
kittens
!
between
, because
no error
between
The correct adverb here would be among, because there are multiple kittens in a litter, not just two.
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