SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #491 : 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.
If less than thirty people are present tomorrow to vote for class president, we will postpone the election. No error
No error
to vote
are present
less than
president, we will
less than
"Less than" should be changed to "fewer than." When deciding whether to use "less" or "fewer" in relation to a give noun, if you can count that noun or it has a plural ("people," "glasses of water," etc.) "fewer than" is grammatically correct, and if you can't count it or it has no plural ("time," "money," "water," measurements) "less than" is grammatically correct. As an example, you would say "less water," but "fewer buckets of water."
Example Question #34 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Most sweaters are made of acrylic, wool, or cashmere, and though they are the more expensive of the three, I prefer cashmere sweaters because they are so soft. No error
though
Most
acrylic, wool, or cashmere,
the more expensive of the three
No error
the more expensive of the three
The phrase "the more expensive of the three" contains this sentence's error. Three types of sweaters are being compared: acrylic sweaters, wool sweaters, and cashmere sweaters. The comparative adjective "more" is used; this is incorrect because comparative adjectives are only used for comparing two things, as in the sentence, "I like vanilla ice cream more than chocolate-covered strawberries." When comparing three or more things, a superlative adjective should be used. In this case, that means that "more" should be changed to "most" to correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #492 : 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.
Though many people may disagree, I think my brother is the cuter baby in the whole wide world. No error
I think my
cuter baby
many people
No error
the whole
cuter baby
Because the baby is being compared to all of the babies in the world, the superlative "cutest baby" is needed. If the baby were being compared to only one other child, the comparative "cuter baby" would be appropriate. This makes the correct selection "cuter baby."
Example Question #493 : 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.
Between a train and an airplane, an airplane is the fastest and more reliable way to travel. No error
Between a train
an airplane
No error
more reliable
is the fastest
is the fastest
Because only two objects (the train and the airplane) are being compared in this sentence, the comparative "faster" must be used. If there were three or more items being compared, the superlative "fastest" would be appropriate. This makes the correct selection "is the fastest."
Example Question #494 : Identifying Sentence Errors
She stumped me with a riddle about ten boxes of various weights; the goal was to find the heavier one by only using the scale twice.
No error
of various weights
using
stumped me with
heavier one
heavier one
In this sentence, there are nine boxes, so the the superlative “heaviest” would be better than the comparative “heavier.” The corrected sentence reads: She stumped me with a riddle about ten boxes of various weights; the goal was to find the heaviest one by only using the scale twice.
Example Question #191 : 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.
Jon, as an avid lover of all animals, decided to protest over the depiction of violence towards dogs, which is becoming increasingly common in feature films. No error
over
towards
No error
lover of all animals
becoming
over
As a general idiomatic rule, the verb "protest" always goes with the preposition "against," not "over." Therefore, the phrase should be "protest against," not "protest over."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When the batter made contact with the baseball, it zoomed threw the air like a bullet and flew out of the park. No error
like
out of the
threw
No error
made contact
threw
The preposition here should be spelled "through." "Threw" is the past tense singular form of the verb "to throw" and is not appropriate in this sentence.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Preposition 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 zoo visitor became startled when he saw the tiger running at him with a crazed look in its eyes. No error
in
when
became
No error
at
at
Idiomatically, a person or animal would not be “running at” something, but rather, “running towards” something. Therefore, the underlined word “at” contains the error in the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other 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.
In choosing between hummus, salsa, and guacamole as a dip to serve with pita chips, most people would say that pita chips are best served with hummus. No error
between
are
most
No error
salsa, and
between
"Between" is used to compare two items, while "among" should be used to compare three or more items. Given that three items (hummus, salsa, and guacamole) are being compared, "among" should be used instead of "between."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
For people trying to lose weight, having herbal tea after dinner is a good substitution with dessert. No error
is
trying
with
after
No error
with
Idiomatically, the phrase that should be used here is "substitution for," not "substitution with."
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