SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Although he purported to be unbiased in his hiring practices, the boss tended to disseminate between older and younger applicants. No error
purported
unbiased in
older and younger
disseminate
No error
disseminate
The issue here is the use of the word "disseminate." To disseminate is to spread something -typically information- on a large scale. The sentence calls for the word "discriminate" instead, which means to recognize a distinction between two entities. Because the boss judges younger and older applicants differently, she discriminates between them.
Example Question #12 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Although I know I should enjoy it, dancing doesn't bring me no satisfaction. No error
Although
me
it,
No error
no
no
This sentence is incorrect because it contains a double negative ("doesn't bring me no satisfaction"), a construction English does not use. There are multiple ways the sentence could be corrected, but the only one offered would be to change "no" to a positive modifier: "dancing doesn't bring me any satisfaction," for example. The sentence could also be corrected by eliminating "doesn't" so that it simply reads, "dancing brings me no satisfaction."
Example Question #13 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Sarah told me that she didn't get the grades she wanted to get because she wasn't fully familiar on the material. No error
me that
to get
fully
familiar on
No error
familiar on
Although it is a purely idiomatic phrase, the correction to the sentence here should be "familiar with." No matter the topic, one becomes familiar with something, not familiar on it.
Example Question #551 : 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.
To be honest, I've never shot a gun in my life; I'm just not very well versed at outdoor skills. No error
No error
well versed
honest,
life;
at
at
The error here is a common English idiom: "well versed" should nearly always be followed with "in," not "at." The corrected phrase reads, "I'm just not very well versed in outdoor skills."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My favorite history professor, as well as some of his administrative staff, were asked to resign because fewer students were taking history courses than ever before. No error
were
than
as well as
No error
because
were
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. The subject "professor" is singular (“as well as some of the administrative staff” is a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form should be “was,” not “were.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Stephanie claims that she wants to attend college after graduation, but her poor attitude about studying during senior year do not indicate that she enjoys being a student. No error
studying
No error
wants
do not indicate
to attend
do not indicate
"Her poor attitude about studying" is the subject of this clause, so the verb must agree with the singular subject "attitude." Therefore, the correct verb should be "does"—her attitude "does not indicate."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
James is a proactive police officer, so although the local rebellious teenagers are annoyed by his strict nature, the overall safety of the town have improved drastically since he was hired. No error
have improved
No error
are annoyed
strict nature
so although
have improved
This is an issue of subject-verb agreement within this independent clause: "the overall safety of the town have improved drastically since he was hired." Simplified, the subject is "safety," which is a singular noun, so the verb must also be singular, making "have improved" incorrect and "has improved" the corrected verb.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A pair of supportive shoes are important if you are experiencing lower back pain. No error
No error
are experiencing
supportive
you
are
are
The verb "are" agrees with a plural subject, but the subject of this sentence is the singular "pair." Changing "are" to "is" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "A pair of supportive shoes is important if you are experiencing lower back pain."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Agreement 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 paralegal believed that there were an overload of cases in the office, which was creating stress. No error
of cases in the office
No error
were
which
that
were
The verb "were," which is used with plural nouns, corresponds to "overload," which is a singular noun. Therefore, the verb should be "was," to match the singular noun, instead of "were."
Example Question #552 : 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.
Shana, Joe, and Marcel was incredible in each of their performances and the audience rewarded them through cheers and applause. No error
their
was
No error
through
and
was
Shana, Joe, and Marcel are three nouns grouped together (as indicated by the "and"), and thus are effectively a plural noun. "Was" is used in reference to a singular subject; in this sentence, "was" should be "were" (e.g. "Shana, Joe, and Marcel were incredible . . .").
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