SAT Writing : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
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Example Question #11 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Yesterday, I had to decide between the high-paying marketing job or the low-paying freelance gig; I hope I didn’t make a mistake when I turned down the high salary. No error
freelance gig;
mistake when
high-paying marketing job or
No error
Yesterday,
high-paying marketing job or
The correct conjunction to use with the word “between” is “and,” not “or.” You choose between a first option "and" a second option; you don’t choose between a first option "or" a second option.
Example Question #12 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As the rain poured down, the campers knew that they had to choose between bailing out their tents or packing up and going home. No error
or
poured
bailing
had to choose
No error
or
The correlative conjunction pair "between...and" is used to describe a choice or comparison. In this case, the choice is between "bailing out their tents and packing up," making the error in the sentence as it is written "or."
The full, correct version of this sentence would read: "As the rain poured down, the campers knew they had to choose between bailing out their tents and packing up and going home."
Example Question #13 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The girls could never make up their minds about which movie to see; either the showing was too late and the theater was too far. No error
and
was
to see
No error
could never
and
The correlative conjunction pair "either . . . or" is used to show two contrasting options. Either option could be true, but only one can be true at a time. In this case, the word "and" should be replaced by the word "or" to complete the correlative conjunction pair.
Example Question #14 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither China nor America is doing enough to fight global warming. NO ERROR
NO ERROR
enough
warming.
is
nor
NO ERROR
Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor." As such, the sentence above is correct as it is written.
Example Question #15 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
You either need to start working harder, nor accept the consequences of your laziness. NO ERROR
your
nor
start working
laziness.
NO ERROR
nor
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or."
Example Question #16 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Not only is Chicago a great city for restaurants, and it has great live music as well. NO ERROR
and
restaurants,
Chicago
NO ERROR
great live
and
Whenever you see the conjunction "not only," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "but also." As such, the "and" in the sentence above should be changed to "but also."
Example Question #17 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither fame or passion drove Kelly to pursue a career in music; she got into the industry solely for the money. No error
No error
into
music;
drove
Neither fame or passion
Neither fame or passion
"Or" is the problematic word here - it should be "nor." "Neither... nor" is the correct pairing, not "Neither... or." "Either... nor" is also incorrect. In all cases it must be "either...or" and "neither...nor."
Example Question #11 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
By the time her mother came home from work, Cecilia had not only cleaned her room, also taken out the trash and walked the dog. No error
No error
,also
and walked the dog
work, Cecilia
By the time
,also
This question is checking for understanding of the correlative conjunction "not only . . . but also." The mistake in the sentence is the missing "but" in "but also." When using this construction, sometimes the "also" can be taken out but the "but" can never be since it changes the meaning. A corrected sentence reads "By the time her mother came home from work, Cecilia had not only cleaned her room, but also taken out the trash and walked the dog."
Example Question #12 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After she came home exhausted from the soccer match, Tabatha had to decide whether she wanted to go to Sarah's birthday party nor just stay home. No error
exhausted from
No error
to go
nor
decide
nor
This question is checking for an understanding of the correlative conjunction "whether . . . or." The trick is that the error—"nor"—brings up another correlative conjunction: "neither . . . nor." The difference between the two is that "whether . . . or" presents an option between two choices (staying home and going to the birthday party), whereas "neither . . . nor" rejects both of the things referenced. The corrected sentence would read "After she came home exhausted from the soccer match, Tabatha had to decide whether she wanted to go to Sarah's birthday party or just stay home."
Example Question #13 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Whether you intend to marry Eliza and not, you must start treating her with respect. No error
her
No error
intend
must start
and
and
Whenever you see the word "whether," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "and" in the sentence above should be changed to "or." This makes the correct sentence "Whether you intend to marry Eliza or not, you must start treating her with respect."
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