SAT Writing : Correcting Conjunction Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #931 : Improving Sentences
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.
My mother told me to go to the store and pick up either ten apples, or ten bananas.
either ten apples, or
either ten apples, but
either ten apples or
either ten apples nor
either ten apples, and
either ten apples, or
When either is used in a sentence, it must be followed by it's coordinate conjunction, "or." The best way to correctly write the sentence above is "My mother told me to go to the store and pick up either ten apples, or ten banana."
Example Question #21 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Neither beef or pork is particularly sustainable as a food source.
Neither beef nor pork
Neither beef, or pork
Neither beef or pork
Neither beef of pork
Neither beef and pork
Neither beef nor pork
When neither is used in any sentence, it must be followed by it's coordinate conjunction, "nor." The best way to correctly write the sentence above is "Neither beef nor pork is particularly sustainable as a food source."
Example Question #23 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Not only have you ruined your friendship with Mark, but made Paul very upset.
Not only have you ruined your friendship with Mark, but you made Paul very upset.
Not only have you ruined your friendship with Mark, but also you made Paul very upset.
Not only have you ruined your friendship with Mark, also you made Paul very upset.
Not only have you ruined your friendship with Mark, but made Paul very upset.
Not only have you ruined your friendship with Mark but also you made Paul very upset.
Not only have you ruined your friendship with Mark, but also you made Paul very upset.
When "not only" is used in any sentence, it must be followed by it's coordinate conjunction, "but also." The best way to correctly write the sentence above is "Not only have you ruined your friendship with Mark, but also you made Paul very upset."
Example Question #24 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Grammar is as easy for John as math is for Sarah; they both have their own strenghts.
with easy for John as math is for Sarah
as easy for John under math is for Sarah
as easy for John with math is for Sarah
as easy for John as math is for Sarah
both easy for John as math is for Sarah
as easy for John as math is for Sarah
Whenever you see the conjunction "as," and it is being used as part of a parallel structure, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "as." As such, the sentence is correct above as written.
Example Question #25 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Whether you fight in the tournament nor go back home, you must make a choice.
Whether you fight in the tournament and go back home
Whether you fight in the tournament if go back home
Whether you fight in the tournament under go back home
Whether you fight in the tournament nor go back home
Whether you fight in the tournament or go back home
Whether you fight in the tournament or go back home
Whenever you see the conjunction "whether," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or."
Example Question #26 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Neither the boys' counselor nor the girls' was equipped to handle the catastrophe.
Neither the boy's counselor nor the girl's
Neither the boys' counselor nor the girls' counselor
Neither the boys' counselor nor the girls'
Neither the boys' counselor or the girls'
Neither the boys's counselor nor the girls's
Neither the boys' counselor nor the girls' counselor
Whenever you use correlative conjunctions in a sentence, the things that are being compared amidst the conjunctions should have parallel structure. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "Neither the boys' counselor nor the girls' counselor."
Example Question #27 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Either you will get back into the car, or you walk home by yourself.
or, walk home by yourself.
or walk home by yourself.
or will walk home by yourself.
or you walk home by yourself.
or you will walk home by yourself.
or you will walk home by yourself.
Whenever you use correlative conjunctions in a sentence, the things that are being compared amidst the conjunctions should have parallel structure. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "or you will walk home by yourself."
Example Question #28 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Thor was not as popular a god as Odin, according to recent archaeological data.
as popular a god and
as popular a god as
as popular as if
as popular a god or
and popular a god as
as popular a god as
Whenever you see the conjunction "as," and it is being used for a direct comparison between two things and followed by another conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "as." As such, the sentence above is correct as it is written.
Example Question #29 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Both men or women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it; don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Both men or women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it, but
Both men and women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it;
Both men or women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it;
Both men or women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it,
Both men nor women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it;
Both men and women are capable of being nasty when the situation calls for it;
Whenever you see the conjunction "both," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and." "Or" is never the correct correlative conjunction to use with "both."
Example Question #30 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Either pick up your things promptly, or don't bring them into my laboratory again.
with don't bring them into my laboratory again
nor don't bring them into my laboratory again
and don't bring them into my laboratory again
or don't bring them into my laboratory again.
or don't not bring them into my laboratory again
or don't bring them into my laboratory again.
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the sentence above is correct as it is written.
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