SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #15 : 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.
While planning our summer vacation trip, we had a hard time choosing between going to Barcelona or going to Costa Rica; both seemed like great destinations. No error
While
or
No error
choosing
seemed
or
The error in this sentence is the incorrect structure of the comparison "between (Option 1) and (Option 2)." The conjunction "and" should always be used in this type of comparison, and in this sentence the writer has incorrectly used the conjunction "or."
Example Question #16 : 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 Timothy or Jocelyn had any doubt that they would get a perfect score on the SAT, since they had been studying almost nonstop for months. No error
or
No error
any
had been
Neither
or
The error in this sentence is the use of the conjunction "or." The writer should have used the conjunction "nor," as this is the conjunction that must be paired with "neither" when using the formulation "neither X nor Y."
Example Question #17 : 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.
You can either tell him the truth and try to hide your mistake, but you should consider the consequences carefully; if you make the wrong decision, you may lose a friend. No error
No error
mistake,
either tell him the truth and try to hide
carefully;
decision,
either tell him the truth and try to hide
The correlative conjunction “either” must be paired with “or,” not “and.” The sentence is punctuated correctly, with commas separating dependent clauses from independent clauses and a semicolon separating the two independent clauses.
Example Question #18 : 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.
Yesterday, I had to decide between the high-paying marketing job or the low-paying freelance gig; I hope I didn’t make a mistake when I turned down the high salary. No error
mistake when
high-paying marketing job or
No error
Yesterday,
freelance gig;
high-paying marketing job or
The correct conjunction to use with the word “between” is “and,” not “or.” You choose between a first option "and" a second option; you don’t choose between a first option "or" a second option.
Example Question #19 : 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.
As the rain poured down, the campers knew that they had to choose between bailing out their tents or packing up and going home. No error
poured
No error
had to choose
or
bailing
or
The correlative conjunction pair "between...and" is used to describe a choice or comparison. In this case, the choice is between "bailing out their tents and packing up," making the error in the sentence as it is written "or."
The full, correct version of this sentence would read: "As the rain poured down, the campers knew they had to choose between bailing out their tents and packing up and going home."
Example Question #20 : 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.
The girls could never make up their minds about which movie to see; either the showing was too late and the theater was too far. No error
could never
to see
and
was
No error
and
The correlative conjunction pair "either . . . or" is used to show two contrasting options. Either option could be true, but only one can be true at a time. In this case, the word "and" should be replaced by the word "or" to complete the correlative conjunction pair.
Example Question #721 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither China nor America is doing enough to fight global warming. NO ERROR
NO ERROR
enough
is
warming.
nor
NO ERROR
Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor." As such, the sentence above is correct as it is written.
Example Question #722 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
You either need to start working harder, nor accept the consequences of your laziness. NO ERROR
laziness.
your
NO ERROR
nor
start working
nor
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or."
Example Question #723 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Not only is Chicago a great city for restaurants, and it has great live music as well. NO ERROR
Chicago
NO ERROR
and
restaurants,
great live
and
Whenever you see the conjunction "not only," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "but also." As such, the "and" in the sentence above should be changed to "but also."
Example Question #724 : 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.
Neither fame or passion drove Kelly to pursue a career in music; she got into the industry solely for the money. No error
into
Neither fame or passion
drove
music;
No error
Neither fame or passion
"Or" is the problematic word here - it should be "nor." "Neither... nor" is the correct pairing, not "Neither... or." "Either... nor" is also incorrect. In all cases it must be "either...or" and "neither...nor."
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