SAT Writing : Correcting Agreement Errors
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Example Question #31 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement 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 one should be criticized on the basis of their sexual preference; it's just wrong.
No one should be criticized on the basis of their sexual preference; it's just wrong.
No one should be criticized on the basis of their sexual preference, it's just wrong.
No one should be criticized on the basis of his or her sexual preference; its just wrong.
No one should be criticized on the basis of his or her sexual preference; it's just wrong.
No one should be criticized on the basis of their sexual preference; its just wrong.
No one should be criticized on the basis of his or her sexual preference; it's just wrong.
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "no one" does not match up correctly with "their." The use of "one" individualizes the subject, and thus the corresponding pronoun. The best way to correct the error is, "No one should be criticized on the basis of his or her sexual preference; it's just wrong."
Example Question #32 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement 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.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that doesn't mean that any opinion is the absolute truth.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion; but that doesn't mean that any opinion is the absolute truth.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion; and that doesn't mean that any opinion is the absolute truth.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that doesn't mean that any opinion is the absolute truth.
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion; but that doesn't mean that any opinion is the absolute truth.
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but that doesn't mean that any opinion is the absolute truth.
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but that doesn't mean that any opinion is the absolute truth.
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "everyone" does not match up correctly with "their." The best way to correct the error is, "Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but that doesn't mean that any opinion is the absolute truth."
Example Question #33 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement 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 one should have to spend their adulthood caring for their elderly parents; that's why we have care facilities.
Noone should have to spend their adulthood caring for their elderly parents; that's why we have care facilities.
No one should have to spend his or her adulthood caring for their elderly parents; that's why we have care facilities.
No one should have to spend their adulthood caring for their elderly parents, that's why we have care facilities.
No one should have to spend their adulthood caring for their elderly parents; that's why we have care facilities.
No one should have to spend his or her adulthood caring for their elderly parents, that's why we have care facilities.
No one should have to spend his or her adulthood caring for their elderly parents; that's why we have care facilities.
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "everyone" does not match up correctly with "their." The best way to correct the error is, "No one should have to spend his or her adulthood caring for their elderly parents; that's why we have care facilities."
Example Question #11 : New Sat Writing And Language
There once was a shepherd boy whom sat on the hillside watching the village sheep. He was hot and exhausted fanning himself, rapidly in a feeble attempt to cool himself down. On top of that, he had never been so bored before. To amuse himself, he decided to play a joke. He put his hands around his mouth and yelled in a loud voice, "Wolf! Wolf! A wolf is chasing the sheep!”
They came running. They asked the boy, “What’s going on? Did you yell ‘A wolf is chasing the sheep?’”
The boy laughed. “It was just a joke, everyone.”
The people fumed, but they all returned to their homes.
The next day, the boy bored again decided to amuse himself again. He bellowed, “Wolf! Wolf!” Again, the townspeople came running. Once they arrived and witnessed the laughing boy, they realized they’d been tricked a second time. Nonetheless, they returned home and irritated resolved to never fall for the trick again for third time.
The next day, the boy was watching his sheep. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a wolf appeared from behind the bushes. With its teeth bared, the boy cowered as the wolf approached the sheep. Terrified, he called, “Help! A wolf! A wolf is here!” The people ignored his cries. “That mischievous boy,” they all said to one another. “He must think he can fool us again.” But not one of them came running.
No one was there to witness as the wolf ate every last sheep on the hillside, as the boy helplessly cowered behind a bush. As the boy hid, he shook his head. “I shall never fib again,” he resolved to himself.
How should the underlined section be corrected?
who
he
that
NO CHANGE
was
who
In this sentence, "who" is used to add a phrase modify the subject, which is the boy. "Whom" would be used if the boy was the indirect object of the sentence, but he is not. "He," "was," and "that" do not introduce the modifying phrase correctly. "Who" does introduce a modifying phrase and refers to the subject of the sentence, so it is the correct choice.
Example Question #61 : Correcting Agreement 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
The belief in evil spirits remains quite widespread in many different part of the world.
many different part of the world.
many different parts of the world.
many different part of the world.
many differentiated part of the world.
many different part of a world.
many different parts of the world.
The error in the underlined portion of the sentence is its use of the singular form "part" after the adjectives "many different." As both adjectives indicate the plurality of the noun they describe, the singular noun "part" needs to be a plural noun to correct the error. "Many different parts of the world" is the correct answer choice because it is the only one in which this error is corrected.
Example Question #1 : Modifier Word Modified Number 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.
Unlike the plants at this local greenhouse, which has been around for thirty years, that at the chain store are wilted and dying.
that at the chain store is wilted and dying.
them at the chain store is wilted and dying.
that at the chain store are wilted and dying.
them at the chain store are wilted and dying.
those at the chain store are wilted and dying.
those at the chain store are wilted and dying.
Because "the plants" is a plural subject, the corresponding pronoun must be a plural subject pronoun. "Those" is the word that matches.
Example Question #861 : 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.
Peter believed that, despite all of the differing opinion on the subject, his theory about particle physics would be proven correct one day.
despite all of the opinion differing on the subject
despite all of the differing opinion on the subject
despite all of differing the opinion on the subject
despite all of the differing subject on the opinion
despite all of the differing opinions on the subject
despite all of the differing opinions on the subject
The phrase "all of" indicates that the noun it is modifying in the sentence should be plural. Therefore, "opinion" should be "opinions," and the correct phrase is "despite all of the differing opinions on the subject."
Example Question #11 : Modifier Word Modified Number 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.
Despite the challenges involved, karate consists of many learnable technique that can be mastered by people from all walks of life.
consists of many learnable technique
consists of many learnable techniques
consists of technique many learnable
consists of many learnables technique
consists of many learnables techniques
consists of many learnable techniques
The adjective "many" in this sentence is intended to modify a plural noun; therefore, the correct phrase should be "many learnable techniques."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Modifier Word Modified Agreement 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.
Jamie wasn't aware that Lisa didn't want to be treated like those; she preferred to get to know her friends well before she hugged them.
be treated like this
be treated like that
be treated like those
be treated like thats
be treated like these
be treated like that
The error in the sentence is in the use of the word "those," as the remainder of the sentence refers to a specific way Lisa prefers to be treated. Therefore, "those" should become "that" and the underlined phrase should become "be treated like that."
Example Question #861 : 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.
Having been alls over the world, Jeremy could confidently say that his favorite place to be is right here in his hometown.
Having been all over the world
Having been over alls the world
Having all been over the world
Having been alls over the world
Having alls over the world been
Having been all over the world
The error in this sentence is the word "alls," which does not follow the rules of standard written English within the context of the sentence. We should change the word to "all," with the correct phrasing as "Having been all over the world."
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