SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #151 : Improving Sentences
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.
You are won't to be so rude in public that hardly anyone wants to go out with you.
wont
will not
wonted
won't
want
wont
The word "won't" is a contraction of the words "will not." The word "wont," on the other hand, is a word that means someone is likely to do something, or has a tendency to do something. In the sentence above, "wont" is correct and "won't" isn't.
Example Question #22 : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
The ancient herd of bison made it's way across the open plains.
it's
its
their
its'
bison's
its
"It's" is a contraction for the words "it is." "Its" indicates possession. Therefore, in the sentence above, "its" is correct, and "it's" is not.
Example Question #152 : Improving Sentences
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 would love to see Professor Cromwell speak, but I cant stand his verbosity.
i cant stand
I wont stand
I cant stand
I can not stand
I can't stand
I can't stand
The word "cant" means something entirely different from the word "can't," which is a contraction of the words "can" and "not." Cant refers to hypocritical or overtly sanctimonious discourse, which obviously has little bearing on this sentence, since "can't" is obviously intended to function as a verb in this context. The best way to correct the underlined portion is: "I can't stand"
Example Question #24 : Correcting Apostrophe 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 eating at the convent: the nuns bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent, the nuns bread, is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent: the nuns' bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent: the nuns bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent. The nuns bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent, the nun's bread, is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent: the nuns' bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
Use an apostrophe to indicate possession, if the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The best way to correct the underlined portion is: "I love eating at the convent: the nuns' bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket."
Example Question #153 : Improving Sentences
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.
Its positively beastly and unsightly to eat like that at a banquet.
Its positively beastly, unsightly
Its positive beastly and unsightly
Its' positively beastly and unsightly
Its positively beastly and unsightly
It's positively beastly and unsightly
It's positively beastly and unsightly
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "It's positively beastly and unsightly"
Example Question #31 : Correcting Apostrophe 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.
Say what you want about legends, but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.
but I have a hardly time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.
but I have a hard time believing the lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.
but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to its paw.
and I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.
but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.
but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to its paw.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to its paw."
Example Question #31 : Correcting Apostrophe 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 wounded lion needed some creature to help remove the thorn from it's paw.
with it's paw.
from its' paw.
from it's paw.
from its paw.
for it's paw.
from its paw.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "from its paw."
Example Question #32 : Correcting Apostrophe 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.
Theres a lot that won't happen for you if you refuse to take charge over your own life.
Theres a lot that won't happens for you
Theres a lot that won't happen for one
Theres a lot that won't happen for you
Theres a lot that wont happen for you
There's a lot that won't happen for you
There's a lot that won't happen for you
The word "theres" is not correct, and is something entirely different from the word "there's," which is a contraction of the words "there" and "is." The latter is clearly what should be in the sentence above, and as such, the best way to correct the underlined portion is: "There's a lot that won't happen for you."
Example Question #33 : Correcting Apostrophe 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.
Its extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant; there are a number of massive logistical problems to contend with on a daily basis.
Its extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurants
It's extreme difficult to own and operate a restaurant
Its extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant
Its extremely difficult to own and operates a restaurant
It's extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant
It's extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "It's extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant."
Example Question #34 : Correcting Apostrophe 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 guys cars had all broken down at the same time: they were all out of luck.
The guys cars had all been broken down
The guys' cars had all broke down
The guys' cars had all broken down
The guy's cars had all broken down
The guys car had all broken down
The guys' cars had all broken down
Use an apostrophe to indicate possession. If the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The word in the sentence above is clearly meant to be "guys," due to the pronoun in the second half of the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "The guys' cars had all broken down."
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
