SAT Writing : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
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Example Question #41 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Having my uncle over for dinner is never much fun; he talks loudly, makes rude comments, and, although the food is always delicious, complaining is constant about the quality of what we eat. No error
Having
complaining is constant
what we eat
No error
talks loudly
complaining is constant
The clause "although the food is always delicious" might distract some people into missing the paralellism used, because it is set apart by commas. Considering "talks" and "makes," we see the present form of some verbs used in succession. For the best sentence structure, the final action should also follow the normal present verb form, like "talks" and "makes." "Complaining is constant" does not follow this, and so (C) contains the error. It would be best to say "complains constantly" or something similar.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It will rain tomorrow, so I will jog in the park, practice soccer, and playing baseball in my backyard today. No error
I
playing
will rain tomorrow
will
No error
playing
This is a parallelism error. The verbs "jog" and "practice" begin the parallel elements in the sentence, and they are each in present tense. The verb "playing" should also be in present tense so that it matches "jog" and "practice." So, "playing" should be "play."
Example Question #41 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
There are two things Jean knows how to do well: how to cook and mountain-climbing. No error
are
mountain-climbing
how to
No error
knows
mountain-climbing
The sentence needs to remain parallel. If it had said "cooking," "mountain-climbing" would be ok.
Example Question #43 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
At the deli, the sandwiches are very similar to the cafeteria, except they are slightly larger and contain less fat. No error
slightly larger
No error
except
similar to the cafeteria
less fat
similar to the cafeteria
This is a faulty comparison. "Sandwiches" cannot be compared to a cafeteria. Use "similar to those at the cafeteria" or something like that instead to correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #42 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I must admit that your mom's chocolate chip cookies are quite tasty, but they are not as good as my grandmother—hers are the best! No error
as good
No error
at the mall
as my grandmother
must admit
as my grandmother
When making comparisons you must be careful to compare like things. In this case, the sentence as written makes a comparison between "cookies" and "my grandmother." You want to compare cookies to cookies. You can fix this error by making "grandmother" into a possessive, singular noun, "grandmother's." This way, it is inferred that the subject being spoken about is the speaker's grandmother's cookies, not the speaker's grandmother herself.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My niece and I followed every step of the cake recipe together, sifting the flour, separating the eggs, and we put the cake in the oven to bake. No error
of the cake recipe
we put
followed
No error
separating
we put
This sentence contains parallelism—in this case, a set of sequential actions set off by commas. In sentences that have a parallel structure, all similar parts of speech should follow the same format. So, the list should read, "sifting the flour," "separating the eggs," and "putting it in the oven to bake." Instead, the way the sentence is currently written, "we put" inserts a needless repetition of the subject that interrupts the logical flow of the sentence by putting the verb in a different tense.
Example Question #71 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
At the student art showcase, Anna enjoyed seeing her friend Zoe's abstract paintings, which she thought were more creative than other artists. No error
Zoe's
paintings, which
No error
were
than other artists
than other artists
The correct answer is "than other artists." As the sentence reads, it is saying that Anna thinks her friend's art is more creative than other artists, which is an incorrect comparison; she should be comparing her friend's art to the art of other artists, not to the artists themselves.
A correct phrasing would be "At the student art showcase, Anna enjoyed seeing her friend Zoe's abstract paintings, which she thought were more creative than the works of the other artists."
Example Question #32 : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
On Saturday I am running, grocery shopping, cooking dinner, and will attend my friend's birthday party. No error
friend's
cooking dinner,
No error
will attend
Saturday
will attend
The verb phrase "will attend" should be changed to "attending" because it is part of a list of "-ing" verbs, all of which need to be in the same form in order for the sentence to use proper parallel structure. Since "running," "shopping," and "cooking" are already conjugated in the same way, "will attend" should be conjugated in this way too, and therefore should be changed to "attending."
Example Question #41 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 woman slowly became fascinated by the aliens’ strange culture, their intelligence, and their telling of hilarious jokes. No error
strange
slowly
telling of hilarious jokes
became fascinated by
No error
telling of hilarious jokes
This sentence lacks parallel structure between the elements in the list. Items in a list should be formatted in the same way grammatically. The corrected sentence reads, "The woman slowly became fascinated by the aliens’ strange culture, their intelligence, and their hilarious jokes."
Example Question #151 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My apartment is on a higher floor than my boss. No error
is
higher
my
No error
boss
boss
Only like things can be compared. "My apartment" can be compared to "that of my boss" or my "boss'."
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