SAT Writing : Identifying Conjunction Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #1251 : 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.

When I was a young man I used to love to go and hang out in parks. No error

Possible Answers:

go

man I used

No error

in parks.

When I was

Correct answer:

man I used

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the word "when" is being used as a subordinate conjunction. Any such subordinate clause must be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. The best way to correct the sentence above is:

"When I was a young man, I used to love to go out and hang out in parks."

Example Question #82 : 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. 

In the United States, many women feel they must make a choice between having a career or starting a family. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

feel 

a choice 

or

having 

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

The word “between,” relating two independent clauses, implies that the correct conjunction to be used here is “and” rather than “or.” 

 

Example Question #1252 : 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. 

According to new research, families with multiple children prefer the suburbs more than cities because they can afford homes with more space. No error

Possible Answers:

with 

prefer

they can 

No error

more than 

Correct answer:

more than 

Explanation:

The verb “prefer” takes the preposition “to,” not “than.” In other words, it is grammatically correct to say families prefer “suburbs to cities” but not correct to say they prefer “suburbs more than cities.”

 

Example Question #11 : Identifying Subordinate 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. 

Many endangered species which inhabit the African savanna may become extinct if government agencies do not quickly take protective action to save them. No error

Possible Answers:

which inhabit 

if 

No error

take 

may become 

Correct answer:

which inhabit 

Explanation:

This sentence begins with the restrictive clause, “Many endangered species.” Using the word “which” after a restrictive clause is incorrect. Rather, we must use the word “that.”  While it is a common grammatical error to use "that" in situations when "which" is needed, it is equally incorrect to use "which" in instances when "that" is required, like after a restrictive clause. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors