SAT Writing : Correcting Conjunction Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : 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 your favorite show or my favorite show is on tonight; let's watch something new.
Neither your favorite show nor my favorite show is on tonight;
Neither your favorite show or my favorite show is on tonight;
Either your favorite show nor my favorite show is on tonight:
Neither our favorite show or our favorite show is on tonight;
Neither our favorite show or my favorite show is on tonight;
Neither your favorite show nor my favorite show is on tonight;
Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "nor." "Or" is the correct correlative conjunction for "either."
Example Question #42 : 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 show your betters respect nor you will leave here immediately.
Either one will show one's betters respect nor you will leave here immediately.
Either one will show your betters respect nor you will leave here immediately.
Either you will show your betters respect nor you will leave here immediately.
Either you will show one's betters respect nor you will leave here immediately.
Either you will show your betters respect or you will leave here immediately.
Either you will show your betters respect or you will leave here immediately.
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or."
Example Question #41 : Correcting Correlative 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.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either too greasy nor too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either to greasy nor to crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either too greasy nor too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either too greasy or too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either too greasy nor too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, and they are very often either too greasy nor too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
I love potato chips, but they are very often either too greasy or too crunchy for an afternoon snack.
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," 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 #43 : 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 chemotherapy or surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy nor surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Either chemotherapy nor surgery are perfect cures for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy and surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy or surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy or surgery are perfectly cures for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy nor surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "nor." Note that the conjunctions "either" and "neither" treat the grammatical items they are applied to each item individually (thus the non-plural verb form and the singular indefinite article "a" is required).
Example Question #1 : Correcting Correlative 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.
In Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights, the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have chosen between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must make a choice between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have to be choosing between true love either or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.
Only answer choice "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence" correctly uses "and" with the preposition "between."
The other answer choices, including the original text "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence," contain an incorrect idiomatic expression. When we have "between," we typically need the word "and"—rather than "or"—to separate the entities that follow.
Example Question #21 : New Sat Writing And Language
Are you trying to stick to a budget? Using coupons for purchases, also known as “couponing” is a great way to save money on groceries. Coupons are a little piece of paper that can give you a discount on what you buy. You will be amazed at the great bargains and amazing savings you can get!
It’s easy to get started. When you open up your daily newspaper, one might find a glossy insert full of coupons. Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy, some will be for things you buy all the time. Go through the coupons and chop out the ones you can use.
The key to successful couponing is getting multiple copies of coupon circulars. Ask your friends, your neighbors, and family if they have any extras. Some coupon users even go through the recycling at their office to find more coupons! Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life! Completely devoted, these circulars help coupon users to get even more savings.
Couponing might sound like hard work, but for many people, it’s also a hobby. Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, but also it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
How should the underlined section be corrected?
Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year. It gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
NO CHANGE
Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, and it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
It does help them save hundreds of dollars per year, it also gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
NO CHANGE
This question asks you to select the correct correlative conjunctions to use in a sentence. This sentence is correct as written, making use of the correlative conjunctions "not only... but also" to express inclusion. These correlative conjunctions should be included in the same sentence, and both should be used.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subordinate 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.
Because the giant squid is an elusive creature rarely seen by humans, scientists are beginning to gain a better understanding of the creature by studying it using remote cameras.
As
Since
Considering
Although
Because
Although
The sentence is trying to explain that in spite of the giant squid's elusiveness, scientists are finding new ways of studying it. The sentence therefore is trying to contrast two ideas, as opposed to showing causation with the word "because." The only answer choice that uses a contrasting conjunction is "Although," so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subordinate 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.
Because my father was afraid of fish, so he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish the aquarium he would never take us to.
Although my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish, so he would never take us to the aquarium.
He would never take us to the aquarium because my father was afraid of fish.
Because my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Subordination problems happen when there are two subordinate clauses and no main clause. The "because" and "so" in the original sentence clash with each other. We only need one. That way, the clause from which a subordinating conjunction is omitted becomes an independent clause, and we need at least one independent clause in the sentence for it to be complete.
Example Question #5 : Correcting Subordinating 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.
Prisons are a relatively recent phenomenon in world history, because exorbitant costs.
exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs of prisons.
because they have exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant cost.
because they have exorbitant costs.
The underlined phrase, a separate clause further explaining the first half of the sentence, does not work as a complet sentence. In order to appropriately fit after "because," the phrase needs to be turned into a complete thought. "Because they had exorbitant costs" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Subordinate 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.
Larry blew up at Diane since she was so rude to him.
because
where
for
and
since
because
When indicating causation, the proper subordinate conjunction to use is, "because." In this sentence, the best construction is "Larry blew up at Diane because she was so rude to him." "Since" is typically used to convey that something has occurred after some other event.
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