SAT Writing : Correcting Noun-Noun Agreement Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Correcting Noun Noun Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Each of my three pets, which I bought with money I earned babysitting, are purebreds and comes with extensive pedigrees.
are purebreds and come with extensive pedigrees.
are purebreds and coming with extensive pedigrees.
is a purebred and comes with an extensive pedigree.
is a purebred and coming with an extensive pedigree.
are purebreds and comes with extensive pedigrees.
is a purebred and comes with an extensive pedigree.
Although there are three pets, the subject of the sentence is “each” of the pets, which is a singular noun; therefore, the singular “a purebred” is the correct noun, and the singular verb forms “is” and “comes” are the correct conjugations.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Noun Noun Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Each member of the relay team ran, as fast as possible, their leg, resulting in the team qualifying for the state meet.
Each member of the relay team ran, as fast as possible, their leg
Each member of the relay team ran their leg as fast as possible
Each member ran their leg, as fast as possible, being on the relay team
Each member of the relay team running his leg as fast as possible
Each member of the relay team ran his leg as fast as possible
Each member of the relay team ran his leg as fast as possible
"Each" in this sentence refers to "each" individual member of the team; therefore the pronoun must be singular, so "his" (or "her") must be used instead of "their."
Example Question #12 : Correcting Noun Noun Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The English professor has concentrations in medieval literature and feminist literature; the two subjects may seem unrelated, but they are the topic about which she feels most strongly.
it is the topics
they are the topic
they are the topics
it are the topics
it is the topic
they are the topics
The error in the original sentence is that "the two subjects" is plural but they are referred to later in the sentence by a singular noun "topic." There is no need to change the pronoun "they" or the verb "are" since they are already plural; the only thing that needs to be changed is "topic" by simply putting an "s" on the end of it to make it plural.
Example Question #13 : Correcting Noun Noun Agreement Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
William and Ian both elected to serve their country by becoming a firefighter.
with becoming a firefighter.
by becoming a firefighters.
by becoming a firefighter together.
by becoming a firefighter.
by becoming firefighters.
by becoming firefighters.
Because we know from the beginning of the sentence that there are two young men, the phrase "becoming a firefighter" should agree with that plurality. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is "by becoming firefighters."
Example Question #14 : Correcting Noun Noun Agreement Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
Only a few of the raw recruits became a good soldier; the others washed out of their training.
became a good soldier
became good soldier
became good soldiers
became a great soldier
became a better soldier
became good soldiers
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "recruits," we know that we are dealing with a group of recruits; therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "soldier" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is "became good soldiers."
Example Question #15 : Correcting Noun Noun Agreement Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
All three of John's two younger sisters were incredibly beautiful.
One of
For
The
All three
Both
Both
In the sentence above, because the second noun phrase used is "two younger sisters" we know that we are dealing with specifically two sisters; therefore, earlier in the sentence, the corresponding noun phrase, "All three," is inconsistent, and should be changed to reflect that there are two of them. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is "Both."
Example Question #16 : Correcting Noun Noun Agreement Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
Many young boys hope to become a great leader one day.
great leaders
a greatest leader
great leader
a greater leader
a great leader
great leaders
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "boys" we know that we are dealing with a group of boys; therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "leader" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is "great leaders."
Example Question #17 : Correcting Noun Noun Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a setence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Between leaving home or being unable to find a job, Martin was extremely depressed.
leaving home or being unable
leaving home and being unable
leaving home for being unable
leave home or be unable
leaving home with being unable
leaving home and being unable
Whenever you see the conjunction "between," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and."
Example Question #141 : Correcting Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a setence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The concerned citizens were all preoccupied with lofty thoughts now that they had become jury.
these had become jury.
the had become jury.
they will become jury.
ones had become jury.
they had become jurors.
they had become jurors.
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "citizens" we know that we are dealing with a group of recruits. Later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "jury" should be the plural, "jurors." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "they had become jurors."
Example Question #142 : Correcting Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a setence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Nine out of every ten students who take Spanish as child will get jobs upon graduating college.
Spanish as child
spanish as children
spanish as child
Spanish as children
Spanish as a child
Spanish as children
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "students" we know that we are dealing with a group of students. Later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "child" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "Spanish as children."
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