SAT Writing : Correcting Other Errors
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Example Question #1 : Correcting Other 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.
It was there fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
It was there fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
It was there fault that the car was parked their in the first place.
It was their fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
It was their fault that the car was parked they’re in the first place.
It was they’re fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
It was their fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
Here, a reader must be able to distinguish between the homonyms “there,” “their,” and “they’re.” Because “there” refers to a location, “their” is a possessive pronoun, and “they’re” is a contraction that’s short for “they are,” the correct usage is, “It was their fault that the car was parked there in the first place.”
Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Errors
American history is compelling for people whom are interested in politics.
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.
American history is compelling for people who are interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people, whom are interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people that are interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people which are interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people being interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people who are interested in politics.
"Whom," in the original sentence, is the wrong choice of relative pronoun when referring to "people." "Whom" is the objective form of the pronoun "who," but we need to use the word "who" in the sentence as a relative pronoun to connect the main independent clause to the subordinate clause. Recognizing this error, we can automatically rule out the answer "American history is compelling for people, whom are interested in politics," as the added comma does not make the use of the pronoun correct. "That" and "which" are also incorrect relative pronouns to refer to "people," and the phrase "people being interested in politics" lacks a relative pronoun altogether. The correct answer is thus "American history is compelling for people who are interested in politics." "Who" is the correct relative pronoun to use with "people."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Errors
"A small group of students is proceeding to the regional spelling bee," she said to her fellow teachers. 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.
she
to
is
No error
bee,
No error
"Is" correctly refers to the "small group," which is singular. "To" is the correct preposition to follow "proceeding" and precede "the regional spelling bee." The dialogue ends correctly with a comma followed by quotation marks, and "she" is correctly lowercased following the dialogue. Therefore, there is no error in this sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other 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 clowns that we saw at an impromptu show in the city square yesterday is wearing matching hats. No error.
that
is wearing
saw
in the city
No error
is wearing
The phrase "is wearing" does not match the number of the subject.
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