Identifying Verb Errors - SAT Writing
Card 0 of 400
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I can’t hardly see the road; the frost, while beautiful and sparkly, has completely obscured my windshield. 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 can’t hardly see the road; the frost, while beautiful and sparkly, has completely obscured my windshield. No error
The phrase “can’t hardly” works as a double negative and is grammatically incorrect. If you can’t hardly see something, you can actually see it pretty well, which is clearly not the meaning that the speaker of this sentence intends. The correct form would be “I can hardly see the road.” Elsewhere in the sentence, the semicolon is the correct punctuation, since it’s separating two independent clauses.
The phrase “can’t hardly” works as a double negative and is grammatically incorrect. If you can’t hardly see something, you can actually see it pretty well, which is clearly not the meaning that the speaker of this sentence intends. The correct form would be “I can hardly see the road.” Elsewhere in the sentence, the semicolon is the correct punctuation, since it’s separating two independent clauses.
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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.
If you had booked a hotel like I asked, we wouldn’t have have to sleep at the airport. 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.
If you had booked a hotel like I asked, we wouldn’t have have to sleep at the airport. No error
Here, the correct form of the present perfect is “wouldn’t have had to sleep,” not “wouldn’t have have to sleep.”
Here, the correct form of the present perfect is “wouldn’t have had to sleep,” not “wouldn’t have have to sleep.”
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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 think I’ve ever seen such a wide array of neglected animals before I began volunteering at the shelter. 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 think I’ve ever seen such a wide array of neglected animals before I began volunteering at the shelter. No error
The form of the sentence requires that we use the past perfect (e.g. "I had done something") instead of the present perfect (e.g. "I have done something") since the speaker is discussing the time "before \[he or she\] began volunteering at the shelter." The correct form of the past perfect is “I’d,” a contraction of “I had," instead of "I've," a contraction of "I have."
The form of the sentence requires that we use the past perfect (e.g. "I had done something") instead of the present perfect (e.g. "I have done something") since the speaker is discussing the time "before \[he or she\] began volunteering at the shelter." The correct form of the past perfect is “I’d,” a contraction of “I had," instead of "I've," a contraction of "I have."
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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.
According to our boss, we are suppose to lock the register, clean the restrooms, and restock the shelves before we finish our shifts. 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.
According to our boss, we are suppose to lock the register, clean the restrooms, and restock the shelves before we finish our shifts. No error
Here, we have a simple verb error. The correct form is always “supposed to,” never “suppose to.”
Here, we have a simple verb error. The correct form is always “supposed to,” never “suppose to.”
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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.
If he hadn’t read the book on midwifery, he wouldn’t of known that birthing practices in modern hospitals are sometimes deleterious to women. 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.
If he hadn’t read the book on midwifery, he wouldn’t of known that birthing practices in modern hospitals are sometimes deleterious to women. No error
We have another simple verb error here. Despite how it sounds in spoken dialogue, the correct form is always “wouldn’t have” and never “wouldn’t of.”
We have another simple verb error here. Despite how it sounds in spoken dialogue, the correct form is always “wouldn’t have” and never “wouldn’t of.”
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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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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you want my opinion, the team was doing well with its current coach and shouldn’t of hired the new, inexperienced manager. 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.
If you want my opinion, the team was doing well with its current coach and shouldn’t of hired the new, inexperienced manager. No error
We have a simple verb error here. Despite how it sounds in spoken dialogue, the correct form is always “shouldn’t have” and never “shouldn’t of.”
We have a simple verb error here. Despite how it sounds in spoken dialogue, the correct form is always “shouldn’t have” and never “shouldn’t of.”
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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.
Without Jeff’s encouragement, guidance, and support, I couldn’t have graduated with high honors. 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.
Without Jeff’s encouragement, guidance, and support, I couldn’t have graduated with high honors. No error
This sentence is correctly punctuated and contains no errors. “I couldn’t have” is the proper form of the past perfect. Each item in the list is correctly separated by a comma, and the dependent clause is correctly separated from the main clause by a comma.
This sentence is correctly punctuated and contains no errors. “I couldn’t have” is the proper form of the past perfect. Each item in the list is correctly separated by a comma, and the dependent clause is correctly separated from the main clause by a comma.
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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.
Ever since the fifth grade, when I beat all my classmates in the spelling bee, I been the best student in my English class. 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.
Ever since the fifth grade, when I beat all my classmates in the spelling bee, I been the best student in my English class. No error
Here we have an error with the present perfect tense. The correct conjugation is “I have been,” not “I been.”
Here we have an error with the present perfect tense. The correct conjugation is “I have been,” not “I been.”
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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 the weather had became terribly cold and dry of late, a warm front with showers was on its way. 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 the weather had became terribly cold and dry of late, a warm front with showers was on its way. No error
The error here lies in the verb agreement. Because the past participle is called for, the verb should employ both the past form of the verb "have" (i.e., "had," as it does) and the present form of the verb "become" (i.e., "become," as it does not). Thus, the past form of "become" is incorrect and must be changed to the present form.
The error here lies in the verb agreement. Because the past participle is called for, the verb should employ both the past form of the verb "have" (i.e., "had," as it does) and the present form of the verb "become" (i.e., "become," as it does not). Thus, the past form of "become" is incorrect and must be changed to the present form.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
We anticipated that John and Michael would want to quickly solve the assigned problems so that they could go home and rest. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
We anticipated that John and Michael would want to quickly solve the assigned problems so that they could go home and rest. No error
The phrase "to quickly solve" is an example of what is called a split infinitive: the infinitive form of the verb ("to solve") interrupted by another word. In general, modifiers should not interrupt the infinitive structure. The phrase should be corrected to move the word "quickly" to a new position in the sentence (eg., "...John and Michael would want to solve the assigned problems quickly...").
The phrase "to quickly solve" is an example of what is called a split infinitive: the infinitive form of the verb ("to solve") interrupted by another word. In general, modifiers should not interrupt the infinitive structure. The phrase should be corrected to move the word "quickly" to a new position in the sentence (eg., "...John and Michael would want to solve the assigned problems 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.
No matter how diverse a menu may be, John always orders the most basic dish that he could find. 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.
No matter how diverse a menu may be, John always orders the most basic dish that he could find. No error
The sentence is written in the present tense, except for the modal verb, "could," which expresses possibility where none is needed; we're told that John "always" orders basic dishes. "Could" should be changed to the present tense verb "can" so that its tense matches that of "orders."
The sentence is written in the present tense, except for the modal verb, "could," which expresses possibility where none is needed; we're told that John "always" orders basic dishes. "Could" should be changed to the present tense verb "can" so that its tense matches that of "orders."
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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.
If I was the principal, I would make the student council dedicate their time to issues that concern all students. 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.
If I was the principal, I would make the student council dedicate their time to issues that concern all students. No error
Since the speaker is talking about a hypothetical situation, it is appropriate to use the subjunctive mood to denote that. The sentence should therefore begin "If I were the principal," ("were" being the first-person subjunctive form of "is") rather than "If I was the principal." Look out for key words such as "if" or "I wish" to denote where the subjunctive mood should be used.
Since the speaker is talking about a hypothetical situation, it is appropriate to use the subjunctive mood to denote that. The sentence should therefore begin "If I were the principal," ("were" being the first-person subjunctive form of "is") rather than "If I was the principal." Look out for key words such as "if" or "I wish" to denote where the subjunctive mood should be used.
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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.
Caleb was certain that if he was in charge, the student council would be able to secure his favorite band to play at prom. 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.
Caleb was certain that if he was in charge, the student council would be able to secure his favorite band to play at prom. No error
In this sentence, the writer is referring to a hypothetical situation of Caleb being in charge. This requires the use of the subjunctive mood of the verb. The phrase "if he was in charge" should therefore be changed to "if he were in charge," so "was" should be replaced with "were."
In this sentence, the writer is referring to a hypothetical situation of Caleb being in charge. This requires the use of the subjunctive mood of the verb. The phrase "if he was in charge" should therefore be changed to "if he were in charge," so "was" should be replaced with "were."
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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.
In her Agriculture classes, Daisy always asks her students to grow the biggest pumpkins they could grow. 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.
In her Agriculture classes, Daisy always asks her students to grow the biggest pumpkins they could grow. No error
The sentence is written entirely in present tense without the use of modal verbs except for the modal verb "could." In order to maintain consistency, we need to change "could" to "can."
The sentence is written entirely in present tense without the use of modal verbs except for the modal verb "could." In order to maintain consistency, we need to change "could" to "can."
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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.
Standing at the front door, Patrick passionately proclaimed that everything would change if he was in charge of the house instead of his parents. 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.
Standing at the front door, Patrick passionately proclaimed that everything would change if he was in charge of the house instead of his parents. No error
In this sentence, Patrick is describing a hypothetical situation in which he is in charge of the house. Since this situation has not actually happened, he would need to use the subjunctive mood for the "verb" is and change "was" to "were" ("if he were in charge").
In this sentence, Patrick is describing a hypothetical situation in which he is in charge of the house. Since this situation has not actually happened, he would need to use the subjunctive mood for the "verb" is and change "was" to "were" ("if he were in charge").
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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.
Even when the chips are down, Daisy always thinks about how she could help her fellow students. 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 when the chips are down, Daisy always thinks about how she could help her fellow students. No error
While the majority of the sentence is written in the present tense, the modal verb "could" expresses potential unnecessarily. "Could" should be changed to the present tense "can" in order to match the mood of the sentence.
While the majority of the sentence is written in the present tense, the modal verb "could" expresses potential unnecessarily. "Could" should be changed to the present tense "can" in order to match the mood of 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.
We quickly determined that we'd almost never stay on the ground if we was able to fly. 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.
We quickly determined that we'd almost never stay on the ground if we was able to fly. No error
The sentence is intended to convey the possibility of what would happen if the speakers could fly; therefore, "was able" should be changed to the correct subjunctive mood form: "were able."
The sentence is intended to convey the possibility of what would happen if the speakers could fly; therefore, "was able" should be changed to the correct subjunctive mood form: "were able."
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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.
If I were the head chef at a restaurant, I would include lots of bizarre dishes with rare ingredients and combinations that would be new and exciting to patrons. 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.
If I were the head chef at a restaurant, I would include lots of bizarre dishes with rare ingredients and combinations that would be new and exciting to patrons. No error
"If I were" is correct because subjunctive mood is needed in hypotheticals introduced by "if." "Were" is correct here, not "was." A comma is appropriate between "restaurant" and "I" because an introductory phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Would be" is consistent with the mood of the sentence, and there are no issues with "ingredients and combinations." There is no error in the sentence.
"If I were" is correct because subjunctive mood is needed in hypotheticals introduced by "if." "Were" is correct here, not "was." A comma is appropriate between "restaurant" and "I" because an introductory phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Would be" is consistent with the mood of the sentence, and there are no issues with "ingredients and combinations." There is no error in the sentence.
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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.
A lot of Paul's students wish that their professor was kinder. NO ERROR
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.
A lot of Paul's students wish that their professor was kinder. NO ERROR
The "wish" in the sentence above indicates that the sentence will be in the subjunctive mood. In subjunctive, "was" should be replaced by "were."
The "wish" in the sentence above indicates that the sentence will be in the subjunctive mood. In subjunctive, "was" should be replaced by "were."
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