Identifying Word Usage Errors - SAT Writing
Card 0 of 1648
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even though the runners were clearly exhausted and had even begun to limp, the coach wouldn’t let them rest until they had ran the entire course. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even though the runners were clearly exhausted and had even begun to limp, the coach wouldn’t let them rest until they had ran the entire course. No error
Here we have an error with the present perfect. The correct conjugation is “they had run,” not “they had ran.”
Here we have an error with the present perfect. The correct conjugation is “they had run,” not “they had ran.”
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marketers are finding greater success making sales when they phoned people in the morning rather than late in the afternoon. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marketers are finding greater success making sales when they phoned people in the morning rather than late in the afternoon. No error
The sentence is present tense, so use "phone "instead of "phoned."
The sentence is present tense, so use "phone "instead of "phoned."
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Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
The triplets didn’t rest until they had drove the babysitter insane with their bickering, tantrums, and juvenile games. No error
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
The triplets didn’t rest until they had drove the babysitter insane with their bickering, tantrums, and juvenile games. No error
Here we have another error with the present perfect. The correct conjugation is “they had driven,” not “they had drove.”
Here we have another error with the present perfect. The correct conjugation is “they had driven,” not “they had drove.”
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The undercover agents chose not to apprehend the suspect in the mall that afternoon, but instead apprehended him at the harbor before he is boarding a ship to Morocco. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The undercover agents chose not to apprehend the suspect in the mall that afternoon, but instead apprehended him at the harbor before he is boarding a ship to Morocco. No error
"Is boarding" should be "boarded" because it matches the tense of other verbs in the sentence.
"Is boarding" should be "boarded" because it matches the tense of other verbs in the sentence.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Next time, I plan to look over my composition quick for faults before I turn it in to my professor. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Next time, I plan to look over my composition quick for faults before I turn it in to my professor. No error
"Quick" is an adjective and is being used to describe "look over," a verb. Adjectives cannot be used to describe verbs; adverbs describe verbs. So, "quick" needs to be changed to "quickly" for the sentence to be correct.
"Quick" is an adjective and is being used to describe "look over," a verb. Adjectives cannot be used to describe verbs; adverbs describe verbs. So, "quick" needs to be changed to "quickly" for the sentence to be correct.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Overexposure to ultraviolet rays has been linked to types of skin cancer, so if your staying outside for a long time, apply sunscreen regularly. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Overexposure to ultraviolet rays has been linked to types of skin cancer, so if your staying outside for a long time, apply sunscreen regularly. No error
"Your" is a possessive pronoun. It should be replaced in the sentence with the contraction for "you are," which is "you're."
"Your" is a possessive pronoun. It should be replaced in the sentence with the contraction for "you are," which is "you're."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I don't know how Jim was able to ran that fast, but since he'd always been running faster than most of us kids, I wasn't too surprised. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I don't know how Jim was able to ran that fast, but since he'd always been running faster than most of us kids, I wasn't too surprised. No error
The writer uses the incorrect verb form "to ran" in the above sentence and would need to change it to "to run" in order to make the sentence fully grammatically correct.
The writer uses the incorrect verb form "to ran" in the above sentence and would need to change it to "to run" in order to make the sentence fully grammatically correct.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Pamela knew that Keith was capable of manage the Smith family's wedding, so she left him in charge of catering the event. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Pamela knew that Keith was capable of manage the Smith family's wedding, so she left him in charge of catering the event. No error
The sentence above uses the incorrect verb form "of manage." We would need to replace it with "of managing" in order to make the sentence correct.
The sentence above uses the incorrect verb form "of manage." We would need to replace it with "of managing" in order to make the sentence correct.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Daisy and I contacted the jeweler because we had heard she would be able to finding us a great engagement ring. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Daisy and I contacted the jeweler because we had heard she would be able to finding us a great engagement ring. No error
The sentence contains a verb voice error in "to finding." We would need to change the verb to the grammatically correct form "to find" in order to improve the sentence.
The sentence contains a verb voice error in "to finding." We would need to change the verb to the grammatically correct form "to find" in order to improve the sentence.
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While the trick may look effortlessly, the actual execution of a perfect double back handspring is quite tricky to achieve successfully.
While the trick may look effortlessly, the actual execution of a perfect double back handspring is quite tricky to achieve successfully.
This sentence uses an adverb (effortlessly) to describe a noun (trick). An adjective would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads: While the trick may look effortless, the actual execution of a perfect double back handspring is quite tricky to achieve successfully.
This sentence uses an adverb (effortlessly) to describe a noun (trick). An adjective would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads: While the trick may look effortless, the actual execution of a perfect double back handspring is quite tricky to achieve successfully.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Having finished their homework, the students quick decided to escape to the TV for entertainment. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Having finished their homework, the students quick decided to escape to the TV for entertainment. No error
Here, "quick decided" contains the sentence's error. "Quick" is an adjective, but it is being used to describe a verb, "decided," so it needs to be in its adverbial form, "quickly."
Here, "quick decided" contains the sentence's error. "Quick" is an adjective, but it is being used to describe a verb, "decided," so it needs to be in its adverbial form, "quickly."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As soon as (A) he woke up, he sprinted (B) quick downstairs to open his gifts (C) that were (D) under the tree. (E) No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As soon as (A) he woke up, he sprinted (B) quick downstairs to open his gifts (C) that were (D) under the tree. (E) No error
Since "quick" is modifying the verb "ran," it needs to be an adverb. "Quick" is an adjective, but "quickly" is an adverb. So, "quick" must be changed to "quickly."
Since "quick" is modifying the verb "ran," it needs to be an adverb. "Quick" is an adjective, but "quickly" is an adverb. So, "quick" must be changed to "quickly."
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The woman convinced the rest of humanity that the aliens should be allowed to stay, and they settled peaceful in the Great Barrier Reef.
The woman convinced the rest of humanity that the aliens should be allowed to stay, and they settled peaceful in the Great Barrier Reef.
This sentence uses the adjective “peaceful” to describe a verb. The correct sentence uses an adverb: The woman convinced the rest of humanity that the aliens should be allowed to stay, and they settled peacefully in the Great Barrier Reef.
This sentence uses the adjective “peaceful” to describe a verb. The correct sentence uses an adverb: The woman convinced the rest of humanity that the aliens should be allowed to stay, and they settled peacefully in the Great Barrier Reef.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although a sales tax may appear to be an efficient way to raise profits, they are more detrimental to low-income consumers than to rich ones. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although a sales tax may appear to be an efficient way to raise profits, they are more detrimental to low-income consumers than to rich ones. No error
"Tax" is a singular antecedent, while the pronoun and verb "they are" are plural. "It is" should be used instead of "they are" so that a singular pronoun and verb correspond to the singular antecedent "tax."
"Tax" is a singular antecedent, while the pronoun and verb "they are" are plural. "It is" should be used instead of "they are" so that a singular pronoun and verb correspond to the singular antecedent "tax."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The nurse adjusted the bandages softly and gentle, as she knew the wound beneath them was very tender. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The nurse adjusted the bandages softly and gentle, as she knew the wound beneath them was very tender. No error
In this sentence, the adjective “gentle” modifies the verb “adjusted.” Given that adverbs can only modify verbs, the proper word would instead be “gently,” which is an adverb.
In this sentence, the adjective “gentle” modifies the verb “adjusted.” Given that adverbs can only modify verbs, the proper word would instead be “gently,” which is an adverb.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The bird flew cautious over the fence, which the owners had laced with barbed wire. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The bird flew cautious over the fence, which the owners had laced with barbed wire. No error
In this sentence, the adjective “cautious” modifies the verb “flew.” Given that only adverbs can modify verbs, the proper word to use would instead be “cautiously,” which is an adverb.
In this sentence, the adjective “cautious” modifies the verb “flew.” Given that only adverbs can modify verbs, the proper word to use would instead be “cautiously,” which is an adverb.
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The several miscommunication problems that we have experienced point at the underlying translation issues that characterize the industry as a whole.
The several miscommunication problems that we have experienced point at the underlying translation issues that characterize the industry as a whole.
This sentence has a problem with prepositional idioms. The corrected sentence reads: The several miscommunication problems that we have experienced point to the underlying translation issues that characterize the industry as a whole.
This sentence has a problem with prepositional idioms. The corrected sentence reads: The several miscommunication problems that we have experienced point to the underlying translation issues that characterize the industry as a whole.
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Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Only one state was added in the 1870s: Colorado, which became apart of the United States in August of 1876. No error
Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Only one state was added in the 1870s: Colorado, which became apart of the United States in August of 1876. No error
"Apart" is an adverb. "A part" is a noun, and, more importantly, the appropriate noun to use in this instance. "Apart" is usually used in the "apart from" construction, which is not relevant to this sentence.
"Apart" is an adverb. "A part" is a noun, and, more importantly, the appropriate noun to use in this instance. "Apart" is usually used in the "apart from" construction, which is not relevant to this sentence.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Grace's little sister always depends to Grace for help on homework. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Grace's little sister always depends to Grace for help on homework. No error
In this context, "depends" is conventionally followed by "on," not "to." In this case the little sister "depends on Grace," so she should be "grateful to" her.
In this context, "depends" is conventionally followed by "on," not "to." In this case the little sister "depends on Grace," so she should be "grateful to" her.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Before meeting my best friend, Ana, I had never eaten sushi, climbed a mountain, or went on a roller coaster. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Before meeting my best friend, Ana, I had never eaten sushi, climbed a mountain, or went on a roller coaster. No error
In order to maintain a parallel structure, each verb in the list should be in the present perfect form. Therefore, the correct conjugation for the final verb is “gone,” as in “I had never gone,” not “went.”
In order to maintain a parallel structure, each verb in the list should be in the present perfect form. Therefore, the correct conjugation for the final verb is “gone,” as in “I had never gone,” not “went.”
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