SAT Writing : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction Errors
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Example Question #51 : 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.
So the python was bigger than the boar, the boar was faster and more fierce.
So the python was bigger than the boar,
But the python was bigger than the boar,
Even though the python was bigger than the boar,
Because the python was bigger than the boar,
So the python was bigger than the boar;
Even though the python was bigger than the boar,
In the sentence above, it is clear that a subordinating conjunction (or pair of subordinating conjunctions) that shows contrast should be placed in the underlined section. The best way to correct the underlined section of the sentence above is: "Even though the python was bigger than the boar,"
Example Question #12 : 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 the old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, and he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Under the old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
The old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, So he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
The old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
In the sentence above, the words "because" and "so" are being used to cause the portions of the sentence to be subordinate clauses: they are subordinate conjunctions. They also mean roughly the same thing, so only one of them is necessary, and the other should be deleted. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "The old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey."
An alternative correct answer would be: "Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, he poured himself a glass of whiskey."
Example Question #52 : 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.
Paul was not selected for the final job, with he was the most qualified candidate.
with he was the most qualified candidate
but he was the most qualified candidate.
under he was the most qualified candidate.
over he was the most qualified candidate.
with he was the most Qualified Candidate.
but he was the most qualified candidate.
In the sentence above, it is clear that a subordinating conjunction (or pair of subordinating conjunctions that shows contrast) should be placed in the underlined section. The best way to correct the underlined section of the sentence above is: "but he was the most qualified candidate."
Example Question #53 : 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.
The man was sure he was as strong as the horse, but although he was not.
although he was not.
but although he was not.
but and he was not.
and although he was not.
with although he was not.
although he was not.
"But" and "although" are both coordinating conjunctions, and either would be appropriate for this sentence; they also mean exactly the same thing, so using them together is redundant. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "although he was not."
Example Question #61 : 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.
According to the census, more than three times as many people inhabit New York as in Chicago.
as in
than in
as inhabit
compared to
as well as
as inhabit
“More than” implies a comparison in the sentence between New York and Chicago, immediately eliminating choices that don’t contain the word “as”, which functions as an adverb here. It is also important to keep uniformity between verbs when comparing two things. This means that because the verb “inhabit” is used in reference to New York, it must also be used in reference to Chicago. This leaves us with, "as inhabit."
Example Question #62 : 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.
Arthur Vandelay’s drawings were not popular during his lifetime, now are considered to be among the most valuable artworks in the world.
but being now
but they now
but are now
now are
the paintings are now
but are now
This sentence contains two contrasting ideas: first, that Vandelay's paintings were not popular in his lifetime, and second, that they are now valuable. The conjunction “but” is thus necessary to include in the sentence.
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