SAT Writing : Identifying Conjunction Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1223 : Sat Writing
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
nor
warming.
is
enough
NO ERROR
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 #1224 : Sat Writing
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
laziness.
your
start working
nor
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 #1225 : Sat Writing
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
NO ERROR
great live
restaurants,
Chicago
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 #1226 : Sat Writing
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
music;
drove
into
No error
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 #21 : Identifying 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
and walked the dog
No error
work, Cecilia
By the time
,also
,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 #1228 : Sat Writing
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
to go
nor
decide
No error
exhausted from
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 #1229 : Sat Writing
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
and
must start
intend
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."
Example Question #1230 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Phillip wanted neither to clean his room or to babysit his younger brother. No error
wanted
to
or
brother.
No error
or
Since Phillip wanted "neither" option, the word "or" must be replaced with "nor" to agree with "neither."
Example Question #1231 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Not only have you failed to heed my advice, but you have done the worst thing imaginable, given the situation. No error
but you
imaginable, given
No error
Not only
to heed
but you
Whenever you see the conjunction "not only," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "but also." As such, the "but" in the sentence above should be changed to "but you have also."
Example Question #1232 : Sat Writing
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 want to be a fitness nut nor not, you must eat fewer french fries. No error
want
nor
Whether
No error
french fries
nor
Whenever you see the conjunction "whether," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or." "Nor" is a correlative conjunction used with "neither."
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