SAT Writing : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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 her brother ate her sandwich, Andrea was angry. And frustrated. No error
frustrated.
No error
After
sandwich,
angry. And
angry. And
"And frustrated" is a sentence fragment because it does not contain a subject. Since "and" is not being used as a coordinating conjunction in this instance no punctuation, not even a comma, is needed between "angry and frustrated."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although jaguars and leopards are similar in appearance, the jaguar is the larger animal and the leopard is the fastest. No error
the fastest
the larger
No error
Although
are similar
the fastest
When comparing only two things, in this case, the jaguar and the leopard, the suffix “-er” should be used instead of the suffix “-est.” The sentence should end “the faster,” not “the fastest.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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 of the students who dislike Ms. Simmons would likely learn a lot less if they were to have a more relaxed teacher. No error
No error
they were
would
a more
who dislike
No error
Every aspect of this sentence is grammatically correct and there is no error. "Who" is correctly used, rather than whom, in this instance; "would" is the correct verb in the correct case.
Example Question #84 : 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 old, faded rug ran the course of the entire empty room, it having been left untouched for fifty years. No error
ran
old, faded
No error
it having been
untouched for
it having been
This sentence has some unnecessary words thrown in it. “It having been” is clunky and not needed. The corrected sentence reads: The old, faded rug ran the course of the entire empty room, left untouched for fifty years.
Example Question #1 : 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.
The freedom continually trumpeted by the Greeks as the defining characteristic of their society is juxtaposed from the overwhelming lack of individual freedom exhibited by Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and Iphigenia; the Greeks’ portrayal of the Eastern foreigners as barbaric, incontinent rapists is meanwhile paralleled with the often equally violent and impulsive behavior of Greek men and, in particular, of the Greek army. No error
juxtaposed from
paralleled with
No error
Iphigenia; the Greeks' portrayal
continually
juxtaposed from
“Continually” means “repeated regularly,” which fits the meaning of this sentence. The semicolon after “Iphigenia” correctly links two complete sentences. “Paralleled with” demonstrates the correct use of a preposition. “Juxtaposed from,” however, uses the wrong preposition. “Juxtaposed,” which means placed with or beside something in order to emphasize the contrast between the two things should be followed by the preposition “with,” as the two terms are being contrasted with each other.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
Logan's high school puts on more plays than his sister.
than his sister
as opposed to his sister's school
compared to what his sister's school does
than his sister's school
than does his sister
than his sister's school
This question is looking for a logical comparision between one school (Logan's) and another (his sister's) rather than a comparison between a school (Logan's) and a person (his sister). Although "as opposed to his sister's school" and "than does his sister's school" both express this concept, they are unnecessarily wordy, leaving "than his sister's school" as the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : 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.
Before school started, Patrick needed to check off many more items on his to-do list, including buying more pencils, finishing his summer reading packet, and practice trumpet for his audition. No error
and practice trumpet
finishing
list, including
Before school started
No error
and practice trumpet
This question requires the three verbs listed to all be in the same grammatical form. Since the first two verbs are gerunds (verbs that end in "-ing" acting as nouns), the third verb ("practice") should be in that form as well: "practicing."
Example Question #142 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
As it turns out, she told the riddle wrong, and there was no way I would have been able to answer based on the information that she gave me.
No error
would have been able
wrong
As it turns out
that she gave me
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #143 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
He shivered in the damp fog and wished that he had thought to bring a sweater, or maybe a parka.
No error
and wished that
or maybe
shivered in
had thought
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #81 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
While grizzly bears typically avoid contact with people, and anglers and bears often meet near streams during the fall salmon run.
No error
typically
during
contact with
and anglers
and anglers
This sentence has a problem with coordination. The conjunction “and” does not make sense because the information that follows is contradictory to the information before. The corrected sentence reads: While grizzly bears typically avoid contact with people, anglers and bears often meet near streams during the fall salmon run.
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
