SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #24 : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marilyn brought her old red sneakers to the thrift store, which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles. No error
which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles
to
thrift store
No error
her old
which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles
The phrase "which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles" is a misplaced modifier—it is currently modifying "the thrift store," but should instead be modifying "sneakers."
Example Question #841 : 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.
The state is rightfully very hesitant to give teenagers drivers' licenses who have not had training, as there is a higher chance of those teenagers getting into accidents. No error
rightfully
there is
who have not had training
No error
of those teenagers
who have not had training
In the current form of the sentence, the phrase "who have not had training" is incorrectly modifying "drivers' licenses." Instead, the phrase should modify "teenagers" ("teenagers who have not had training").
Example Question #26 : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We didn't have to look too hard for the owner of the green striped men's socks; only Jeremy would ever wear socks that tacky. No error
No error
green striped men's socks
too hard
socks that tacky
would ever
green striped men's socks
In the sentence above, the adjectives "green" and "striped" are intended to modify "socks" but have been misplaced to modify "men's" instead.
Example Question #842 : 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.
The budding poet finished, during the first year of college, twenty poems and a novella, but she was too afraid to show any of them to her parents. No error
budding
novella, but
of them
during the first year of college
No error
during the first year of college
The error in this sentence is "during the first year of college" because it is an interrupting modifier. An interrupting modifier seperates the verb ("wrote") from its direct object ("twenty poems and a novella"), making the sentence less clear. A corrected sentence would be: "During the first year of college, the budding poet wrote twenty poems and a novella, but she was too afraid to show any of them to her parents."
Example Question #843 : 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.
It is possible that James will have been able to afford the vacation if he had saved more of his money. No error
if
had saved
been able
No error
will have
will have
The phrases “been able” and “had saved” are both referring to something that did or could have happened in the past. In keeping with the same tense, “will have” should be in the conditional form that would correctly describe a possibility in the past—“would have.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying No Errors Or Other Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Anne later discovered that Paul and she were the members of the choir to sing the correct notes of the song. No error
were
No error
to sing
later discovered
she
No error
There are no inherent grammatical errors in the sentence above. The phrase "Paul and she were" may ring some alarms, but it is the same as the phrase "she and Paul were." You can break it down into "Paul was the only person" and "she was the only person." When combined, it should appear as written in the question. "She" is used properly in the subject form of the pronoun, rather than "her," the object form; "she" is performing the action in the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying No Errors Or Other Errors
When I get home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
When I will have gotten home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
(No changes to original)
When I get home from school, I like to relaxing by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
When I got home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
When I get home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, to eat a snack, watching a television show, and to take a nap.
(No changes to original)
There is no error in the original sentence.
Example Question #2 : Identifying No Errors Or Other Errors
She revealed herself and befriended the aliens, who were excited and pleased to meet a real human.
herself
to meet a
No error
were excited
befriended the aliens
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #1 : Identifying No Errors Or Other Errors
As the author slowly stood up, stretched, and trudged to the doorway, his friends jumped out from behind the antique cabinets.
jumped out from behind
As
and trudged
No error
slowly
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Lucy realized that she would not be able to arrive at the opera in a timely manner. No error
realized
timely manner
would not be able to
at the opera
No Error
No Error
This is a grammatically correct sentence that needs no stylistic improvements.
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