SAT Writing : Correcting Other Usage Errors
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Example Question #31 : Correcting Other Usage 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.
That dog is the most loyal pet Sarah has ever had; that dog really loves with her.
loves with her
loves for her
loves on her
loves in her
loves her
loves her
In the sentence above, the preposition "with" is unncessary and should be deleted to make the sentence correct. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is "loves her."
Example Question #32 : Correcting Other Usage 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.
The man herded the unruly cattle by his bullwhip.
by his bullwhip.
at his bullwhip.
in his bullwhip.
on his bullwhip.
with his bullwhip.
with his bullwhip.
When describing an instrument or tool that is used to accomplish a task, "with" is always the correct preoposition to use; therefore, the "by" in the underlined section above should be change to "with." The correct way to write the underlined portion of the sentence above is "with his bullwhip."
Example Question #33 : Correcting Other Usage 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.
As a caddie, my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back on the bag.
my job is mainly to take the golf clubs from their owners and put them back on the bag.
my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back on the bag.
my job is main to take clubs from their owners and put them back on the bag.
my job is mainly to take the clubs from their owners and put them back on top of the bag.
my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back in the bag.
my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back in the bag.
The sentence above contains a preposition error. The word "on" is being incorrectly used. The clubs are not stored "on" the bag, but inside of it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence is: "my job is mainly to take clubs from their owners and put them back in the bag."
Example Question #6 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic Usage 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.
The snob woman looked down on the slovenly young man, who always dressed in a disheveled manner.
The snob woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looks down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looked down to the slovenly young man
The snob woman looking down on the slovenly young man
The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The use of "snob" as an adjective in this sentence is incorrect, as "snob" is a noun and cannot properly modify "woman." The word needs to be changed to an adjectival form. "The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man" is the only answer choice to appropriately use an adjective.
Example Question #1182 : Gmat Verbal
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 learned a lot from the woman that I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman who I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman whom I talked to.
I would learn a lot from the woman that I had talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman that I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman to whom I talked.
I learned a lot from the woman to whom I talked.
We do not end a sentence with a preposition. Also, we use the pronoun "whom" when a person is the object of the verb. Here, the woman is the object of the verb "talked".
Example Question #1 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic Usage 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.
No matter how hard I concentrated on the question, the solution to it kept alluding me.
alluding me was the solution to it.
the solution was keeping allusive.
the solution to it kept alluding me.
the solution was kept elusive.
the solution to it kept eluding me.
the solution to it kept eluding me.
This question deals with incorrect word choice. The correct word is elude, which means to stay out of reach. Allude means to indirectly refer to something.
Example Question #491 : Correcting Word Usage 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 rain has a big affect on his mood.
His mood has a big affect on the rain.
(No changes to original.)
On his mood, the rain is largely effecting.
The rain has a big effect on his mood.
The rain affects his mood.
The rain has a big effect on his mood.
Here, we need the noun “effect,” not the verb “affect.”
Example Question #10 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic Usage 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.
Many New Yorkers had no choice but to evacuate the area because of the imminent danger of the approaching snow storm.
because of the imminent danger of the approaching snow storm.
because of the eminent danger from the approaching snowstorm.
because of the imminent danger of the approaching snowstorm.
because of the imminent danger from the approaching snow storm.
because of the eminent danger of the approaching snow storm.
because of the imminent danger of the approaching snowstorm.
“Imminent” means threatening or looming, while “eminent” means well-known or famous. Also, “snowstorm” is a compound word (two words put together).
Example Question #1 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
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 car was determined to be the one which was used in the robbery.
the one which was used in the robbery
that which was used in the robbery.
which was used in the robbery.
that was used in the robbery.
the one having been used in the robbery.
the one which was used in the robbery
While the underlined phrase is a bit convoluted, the phrase is fully grammatically correct. Either "that" or "which" would be appropriate in the sentence, but using both or futher modifying the phrase makes it confusing and unclear.
Example Question #491 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
The two campaigns became certain the election was so close election night would not feature a definite result.
was so close
was so close that
was closely
was too close
was close
was so close that
The key problem with the sentence is that the portion after the underlined part has to be introduced by a pronoun introducing the relative clause "election night would not feature a definite result." "Was so close that" is the only choice among the answers featuring such a word.
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