SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #481 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The very old man rested his cane in his legs.
on
in
for
inside
with
on
The preposition "in" in the sentence above is erroneous—there is no way for a man to rest a cane inside his legs (barring some very unfortunate circumstances). The best choice of the other answers is "on," a preposition that indicates that the old man is reting his cane on top of his legs: "The very old man rested his cane on his legs."
Example Question #482 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
Over every opportunity, I try to eat with my parents, because they are my favorite people.
Under every opportunity
With every opportunity
Over every opportunity
At every opportunity
Per every opportunity
At every opportunity
The phrase "every opportunity" is often preceded by the preposition "at." The use of "over" is clearly incorrect because it doesn't make sense. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "At every opportunity, I try to eat with my parents, because they are my favorite people."
Example Question #483 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
When you go to the market for onions, will you also buy some lettuce as well?
you also buy some lettuce as well please?
you also buy some lettuce?
you as well buy some lettuce?
you also buy some lettuce!
you also buy some lettuce as well?
you also buy some lettuce?
"Also" and "as well" mean the same thing—in addition to. Only one is necessary to convey the meaning of the sentence above, and having both of them is redundant. The best way to rewrite the sentence is to delete either "also" or "as well."
Example Question #484 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
The Congressman is opposed with the new trade deal: he will never support it.
opposed to the new trade deal:
opposed with the new trade deal
opposed at the new trade deal:
opposed with the new trade deal:
opposed with the new trade deal,
opposed to the new trade deal:
The correct preposition to use after the phrase "is opposed" is "to," not "with." This should be corrected in the sentence above, the best way to correct the underlined portion is "opposed to the new trade deal:"
Example Question #31 : Correcting Preposition Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
That dog is the most loyal pet Sarah has ever had; that dog really loves with her.
loves her
loves with her
loves for her
loves on her
loves in her
loves her
In the sentence above, the preposition "with" is unncessary and should be deleted to make the sentence correct. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is "loves her."
Example Question #32 : Correcting Preposition Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
The man herded the unruly cattle by his bullwhip.
in his bullwhip.
at his bullwhip.
with his bullwhip.
by his bullwhip.
on his bullwhip.
with his bullwhip.
When describing an instrument or tool that is used to accomplish a task, "with" is always the correct preoposition to use; therefore, the "by" in the underlined section above should be change to "with." The correct way to write the underlined portion of the sentence above is "with his bullwhip."
Example Question #33 : Correcting Preposition Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
As a caddie, my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back on the bag.
my job is main to take clubs from their owners and put them back on the bag.
my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back in the bag.
my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back on the bag.
my job is mainly to take the golf clubs from their owners and put them back on the bag.
my job is mainly to take the clubs from their owners and put them back on top of the bag.
my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back in the bag.
The sentence above contains a preposition error. The word "on" is being incorrectly used. The clubs are not stored "on" the bag, but inside of it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence is: "my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back in the bag."
Example Question #31 : Conventional And Idiomatic Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The snob woman looked down on the slovenly young man, who always dressed in a disheveled manner.
The snob woman looks down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looked down to the slovenly young man
The snob woman looking down on the slovenly young man
The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The use of "snob" as an adjective in this sentence is incorrect, as "snob" is a noun and cannot properly modify "woman." The word needs to be changed to an adjectival form. "The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man" is the only answer choice to appropriately use an adjective.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I learned a lot from the woman that I talked to.
I would learn a lot from the woman that I had talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman whom I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman who I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman that I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman to whom I talked.
I learned a lot from the woman to whom I talked.
We do not end a sentence with a preposition. Also, we use the pronoun "whom" when a person is the object of the verb. Here, the woman is the object of the verb "talked".
Example Question #524 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
No matter how hard I concentrated on the question, the solution to it kept alluding me.
alluding me was the solution to it.
the solution to it kept alluding me.
the solution was keeping allusive.
the solution was kept elusive.
the solution to it kept eluding me.
the solution to it kept eluding me.
This question deals with incorrect word choice. The correct word is elude, which means to stay out of reach. Allude means to indirectly refer to something.
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