SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jack was the one who got us into this dangerous situation, but he has absolutely no right to complain. No error
but
the one
dangerous
to complain
No error
but
This sentence isn’t coordinated correctly. The conjunction “but” does not describe the logical connection between the two parts of the sentence. A better alternative would be, "John was the one who got us into this dangerous situation, so he has absolutely no right to complain."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Other Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As his friends cut the triple layer chocolate cake, the author felt cheerful but newly energized. No error
As
newly energized
No error
but
felt
but
This sentence uses the wrong coordinating conjunction. Since “cheerful” and “newly energized” are similar, the conjunction “and” should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "As his friends cut the triple layer chocolate cake, the author felt cheerful and newly energized."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Unlike his mentor, acheiving the title of "partner" by the time he was thirty years old, Jon does not think that he will acheive this position until he is at least forty years old. No error
acheiving
his
No error
he will acheive
at least
acheiving
The error exists in the underlined portion of the sentence, "achieving." In order to explain the background of who the mentor is, it is not sufficient to place a comma after "mentor" without a transition, such as "who achieved." Simply using the word "achieving" is not sufficient. Therefore, "achieving" is the correct answer.
Example Question #41 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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.
Neither the teachers or the students were told that the famous actor and actress would be visiting the school until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell which group was the more excited one when everyone found out. No error
until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell
the famous actor and actress would be visiting
No error
the more excited one
Neither the teachers or the students were
Neither the teachers or the students were
When using the word "neither" to introduce one of two things in a negative fashion, one needs to introduce the other thing using the word "nor," not "or." So, the correct answer is, "Neither the teachers nor the students were told that the famous actor and actress would be visiting the school until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell which group was the more excited one when everyone found out."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither the aliens who were invading or the people who were being invaded really understood what was happening. No error
or
No error
who
what was happening
were being
or
This sentence has a problem with coordinators. If “neither” is used, it triggers the use of “nor.” The corrected sentence reads: Neither the aliens who were invading nor the people who were being invaded really understood what was happening.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither the dog or the cat could climb the trees outside the house, for the trees were too tall. No error
no error
outside the house
were
too tall
or
or
The proper conjunction here would be "nor," as it agrees with "neither."
Example Question #61 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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.
Choosing between the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or the marble cake with chocolate ganache was an agonizing decision. No error
agonizing
Choosing
No error
or
was
or
This sentence does not follow conventions regarding the use of phrase “between X and Y.” The conjunction “and,” not “or,” should always be used when setting up a sentence using "between" to describe a choice or a comparison. The corrected sentence reads, "Choosing between the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and the marble cake with chocolate ganache was an agonizing decision."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Because it is not a holiday, neither the church or the bank is closed early. No error
holiday
No error
or
is
Because
or
"Neither" always takes "nor," never "or." It may be tempting to choose "is." Neither may use plural or singular verbs, depending on the plural or singular quality of the subjects it refers to.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When Daisy had to choose between singing in glee club or pursuing her black belt in jiujitsu, she made a chart that listed the pros and cons of each activity. No error
No error
When
that listed
had to choose
or
or
When setting up a comparison using the word "between," we must always use the convention "between A and B," where A and B are the things we are comparing. Therefore, the word "or" should be replaced with "and" in this sentence.
Example Question #12 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Daniel eventually realized that neither money or fame made him as happy as he was when he was married to Diane. No error
as happy as he was
was married
eventually realized
No error
neither money or fame
neither money or fame
The sentence features a correlative conjunction error: when the word "neither" is used to introduce one of two nouns in a negative manner, one must always use the word "nor" to introduce the second noun.
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