All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1691 : Improving Sentences
Frequently students wish they did not have to take as many required courses.
Frequent students
Frequently, students
Frequent, students
Frequently students
Frequently students'
Frequently, students
The word "Frequently" in the sentence is used as an adverb describing the actions of the students; therefore, it must be set apart from the rest of the sentence, and "students" in particular, to work as an introductory phrase. "Frequently, students" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1692 : Improving Sentences
Day by day fewer people emerged from the countryside to attend the fair in the village.
Day, by day fewer
Day, by day, fewer
Fewer day by day
Fewer, day by day
Day by day, fewer
Day by day, fewer
The phrase "day by day" is used in the sentence as an introductory phrase, modifying the meaning of the sentence. As such, it needs to be set off from the rest of the sentence. "Day by day, fewer" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #711 : Improving Sentences
When researching employment opportunities college students frequently become overly focused on one potential job.
employment opportunities college, students
employment opportunities, college students
employment, opportunities college students
employment opportunities college students
employment opportunities college students,
employment opportunities, college students
The phrase "when researching employment opportunites" operates in the sentence as an introductory conditional phrase, giving a necessary "if" to the sentence. Such a clause needs to be appropriately set apart from the rest of the sentence; therefore, "employment opportunities, college students" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #451 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Everyday people wander into dangerous areas of the city, and do not appear the next day.
Every day people
Everyday people
Everyday, people
Everyday persons
Everyday, person
Everyday, people
The word "everyday" in the sentence acts as a conditional phrase, indicating how often people do what is described in the sentence. Such a phrase, must be set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence. Therefore, "Everyday, people" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #731 : Act English
Lately families have begun moving back to the city's core and sparking a revitalization of downtown businesses.
Lately family's
Lately, family's
Lately, families
Late, families
Lately families
Lately, families
The underlined portion of the sentence contains a slight punctuation error. Speciifically, the word "Lately" is used as an introductory phrase, explaining the condition under which the action takes place, and such clauses need to be set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence. "Lately, families" is the correct answer.
Example Question #732 : Act English
On this date an unspeakable evil befell the world, changing the way people thought forever.
On this date an unspeakable evil
On this date unspeakable evil
On this date, an unspeakable evil
On that date an unspeakable evil
On this date the unspeakable evil
On this date, an unspeakable evil
The phrase "On this date" is an introductory clause, describing when the action of the sentence took place. An introductory clause must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Therefore, "On this date, an unspeakable evil" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #733 : Act English
Unfamiliar to most listeners the band was highly influential among its most devoted fans.
Unfamiliar to most, listeners of the band
Unfamiliar, to most listeners the band
Unfamiliar, to most, listeners the band
Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band
Unfamiliar to most listeners the band
Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band
The phrase "Unfamiliar to most listeners" is used in this sentence as an introductory phrase, something that explains the actions of the rest of the sentence. All such sentences must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band" is the correct answer.
Example Question #61 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Working on a new book the author refused to answer any press questions about his previous novels.
Working, on a new book, the author
Working on a new book, the author
Working, on a new book the author
Working on a new book for the author
Working on a new book the author
Working on a new book, the author
The phrase "Working on a new book" is an introductory phrase that explains the condition upon the action of the sentence. All such phrases must be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Working on a new book, the author" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Unquestionably the most difficult thing in professional sports is hitting a baseball.
Unquestionably the most difficult thing,
Unquestionably the most difficult, thing
Unquestionably, the most difficult thing
Unquestionably, the most difficult thing,
Unquestionably the most difficult thing
Unquestionably, the most difficult thing
The word "unquestionably" is used in this sentence as an introductory phrase, giving a condition for the rest of the sentence (namely that the statement can not be questioned). An introductory phrase must always be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Unquestionably, the most difficult thing" is therefore the correct answer choice.
Example Question #42 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
More than anyone else he had encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered the preacher was convinced, of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else, he had encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
The phrase "More than anyone else he had encountered" is an introductory clause, a clause that conditions the information provided in the main body of the sentence. All such clauses need to be set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma, making "More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause."