SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #62 : 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.

Not only have you failed to heed my advice, but you have done the worst thing imaginable, given the situation. No error

Possible Answers:

but you

Not only

No error

imaginable, given

to heed

Correct answer:

but you

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "not only," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "but also." As such, the "but" in the sentence above should be changed to "but you have also."

Example Question #63 : 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.

Whether you want to be a fitness nut nor not, you must eat fewer french friesNo error

Possible Answers:

nor

Whether

french fries

No error

want

Correct answer:

nor

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "whether," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or." "Nor" is a correlative conjunction used with "neither."

Example Question #21 : 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.

Both Suzannah or Adrienne were excellent children; they always did as they were told. No error

 

Possible Answers:

were told.

No error

always did

Both Suzannah or Adrienne

excellent children;

Correct answer:

Both Suzannah or Adrienne

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "both," and it is followed by a conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and." "Or" is a correlative conjunction used with "either."

Example Question #22 : 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.

Both the Supreme Court nor the Senate are venerable political institutions in the United States of AmericaNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

the Supreme Court

nor

United States of America

venerable political institutions

Correct answer:

nor

Explanation:

Whenever you see the word "both" used as a conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "and."

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.

It was hard for the children to make the choice their parents had set before them; on their day off, they could either go to the new movie they'd been anticipating but they could invite their friends over for a pool party. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

but they could invite

their parents had set

for the children to make

go to the new movie

Correct answer:

but they could invite

Explanation:

The use of the word "either" implies that a choice must be made, and signals the coming of the word "or." The correct sentence would read "It was hard for the children to make the choice their parents had set before them; on their day off, they could either go to the new movie they'd been anticipating or they could invite their friends over for a pool party." This makes the correct selection "but they could invite."

Example Question #67 : 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.

There was no way out of this sticky situation; the administration was stuck between a rock or a hard place. No error

Possible Answers:

or a hard place

way out of

a rock

the administration was

No error

Correct answer:

or a hard place

Explanation:

When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "between" signals the coming use of the word "and." This means that the phrase in the sentence should read "between a rock and a hard place," and makes the correct selection "or a hard place."

Example Question #68 : 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.

Sonya was in complete agreement with everything the speaker had said; if there is to be change, and someone must step up and be the leader. No error

Possible Answers:

was in complete agreement

everything the speaker

and someone must

to be change

No error

Correct answer:

and someone must

Explanation:

When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "if" signals the coming of the word "then." This means that the sentence should read "if there is to be change, then someone must step up and be the leader," making the correct selection "and someone must."

Example Question #31 : 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.

John enjoys foods from many different culinary backgrounds, so it will be difficult for him to choose which dish he likes better between the Japanese sushi rolls or the Thai curry. No error

Possible Answers:

or

No error

which dish

so it will

from

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

Given that John is choosing between two different options and the sentence uses the word "between" to describe his choosing between these options, "and" should be used to describe his selection of options, not "or."

Example Question #71 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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 come with me, sir, or you're going to spend your evening in jail. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

evening in jail.

Neither

me, sir,

you're going

Correct answer:

Neither

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "Neither" in the sentence above should be changed to "Either."

Example Question #31 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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 the Duke or the Baron had anticipated that their liege lord was going to be present at the Summer Palace. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

Baron had

the Duke or

that their liege

the Summer Palace.

Correct answer:

the Duke or

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor."  As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "nor."

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