SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #58 : 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 aliens who were invading or the people who were being invaded really understood what was happening. No error
were being
who
No error
what was happening
or
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 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.
Neither the dog or the cat could climb the trees outside the house, for the trees were too tall. No error
or
too tall
no error
outside the house
were
or
The proper conjunction here would be "nor," as it agrees with "neither."
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.
Choosing between the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or the marble cake with chocolate ganache was an agonizing decision. No error
agonizing
No error
or
was
Choosing
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 #2 : 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
is
holiday
Because
or
No error
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 #13 : 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
had to choose
No error
that listed
When
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 #14 : 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
eventually realized
was married
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.
Example Question #42 : 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.
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
No error
choosing
seemed
or
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 #1211 : Sat Writing
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
high-paying marketing job or
No error
freelance gig;
Yesterday,
mistake when
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.
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