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Example Questions
Example Question #451 : Identifying 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.
The chef was frustrated to see that his assistants had not replaced the saffron, that is a very expensive spice. No error
had not
No error
that
was
very
that
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, “saffron” is being modified by the part of the sentence after the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #451 : Identifying 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.
Jared was very happy when his parents said that they enjoyed the independent film, that Bill had helped to produce. No error
they
was
that
when
No error
that
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, “independent film” is being modified by the part of the sentence that follows the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #82 : Identifying Other Usage Errors
Identifying sentence errors. Identify any error you find in an underlined portion of the passage. If you can find no errors, select "no error" as your answer choice.
The state of California, that is large, has millions of residents. No error
state of
residents
No error
has millions
that
that
Instead of "that," in this sentence the word "which" would be appropriate, since this is a non-restrictive relative clause. A non-restrictive relative clause has a noun that is already fully identified, but then adds additional information. Here, we already know that we're discussing the state of California, so its largeness is non-restrictive. "That" only works in restrictive clauses, i.e. those that refer to the noun, and which are never set off by commas.
Example Question #101 : Identifying Other Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My cat, that has orange and white stripes, enjoys consuming food made for human beings, like bread and noodles. No error
has
that
like
No error
consuming
that
In this sentence, "that" should be replaced with "which" because the phrase it introduces ("has orange and white stripes") is non-essential—that is, the phrase can be removed from the sentence without altering its meaning. "That" should be used with essential words or phrases, meaning that such phrases must be in the sentence for a reader's to understand it properly. An example of an essential phrase would be "The painting that the thief stole last night is still missing." To say "The painting is still missing" would leave out essential information - that it's missing because a thief stole it last night.
Example Question #281 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The house on the corner near the evergreens has a gabled roof, that has always appealed to Anna. No error
has
No error
to Anna
near the evergreens
that
that
Information that is added in a phrase that follows a comma should begin with "which," not "that." "That" is used at the start of a phrase not preceded by a comma that, if removed from a sentence, causes the sentence to not make sense. "Which," on the other hand, is used to begin a phrase that is set apart from the sentence by a comma and can be removed from the sentence without causing it to not make sense. IN this case, "that" should be changed to "which," since omitting the comma is not an option.
Example Question #452 : Identifying 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.
They were very excited because they had baked their friend a triple layer chocolate cake which they knew he was going to love. No error
No error
which
had baked
was going to love
very excited
which
Use “which” for added information after a comma. “That” is for cases like this, where the information is an important part of the sentence and there is no comma. The corrected sentence reads, "They were very excited because they had baked their friend a triple layer chocolate cake that they knew he was going to love."
Example Question #282 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Maria's favorite cupcake was the one which was topped with coconut frosting and had papaya wedges in the middle. No error
in the middle
was
No error
and papaya
which
which
“Which” is used to signal modification to a phrase when the modifying dependent clause comes after a comma. “That” is used to signal modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the subject being modified ("one" in reference to the cupcake) does not have a comma after it. Therefore, “that” is appropriate, not “which.”
Example Question #993 : Identifying 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.
I knew all of the information except for the material on the Civil War, that of course was the focus of the exam. No error
on
No error
was
that
except for
that
This sentence confuses the words “that” and “which.” "That" is used to begin restrictive clauses—clauses that provide necessary information about the sentence's subject and are not set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. (An example of this would be, "The kitten that had a spot on its nose was Marlene's favorite.") "Which" is used to begin nonrestrictive clauses—clauses that are introduced by commas and provide extra information that could be omitted from the sentence without significantly altering its meaning. (An example would be "The kitten, which had a spot on its nose, slept peacefully.")
In the given sentence, the information "that of course was the focus of the exam" follows a comma, signaling that it is a nonrestrictive clause and should begin with "which," not "that." You could correct the sentence by changing "that" to "which," making it, "I knew all of the information except for the material on the Civil War, which of course was the focus of the exam."
Example Question #994 : Identifying 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.
I never admitted it to my daughter, but I lost the little sock puppet which traveled with us throughout Europe, posing in front of historic landmarks. No error
but
No error
it
which
Europe, posing
which
This sentence uses the word "which" where it should use the word "that," so "which" contains the sentence's error and is the correct answer.
"That" is used to signal the start of a restrictive clause, a type of clause that provides necessary information about the sentence's subject and is not set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. (Example: "The fish that was frying in the pan smelled delicious.") "Which" is used to begin nonrestrictive clauses, which are introduced by commas and provide extraneous information that could be omitted from the sentence without significantly altering its meaning. (Example: "The pancakes, which were warm, were Jenna's favorite part of the breakfast buffet.")
In the given sentence, the phrase "which traveled with us throughout Europe, posing in front of historic landmarks" tells us important information that helps define its referent, so "that" should be used, not "which," making the corrected sentence, "I never admitted it to my daughter, but I lost the little sock puppet that traveled with us throughout Europe, posing in front of historic landmarks."
Example Question #91 : Identifying Other Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My grandmother tells me that its the best time of the year to make homemade apple sauce, but she still won’t pass along her secret recipe. No error
tells me
still won't pass along
sauce, but
No error
its
its
This sentence uses the wrong form of its/it’s. “Its” is a possessive pronoun, while “it’s” is a contraction of “it is.” The latter is what is appropriate here. The corrected sentence reads, "My grandmother tells me that it’s the best time of the year to make homemade apple sauce, but she still won’t pass along her secret recipe."
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