SAT Writing : Identifying Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Smelling like old dirty socks, Andy threw the wheel of cheese into the dumpster at the end of the street. No error
end
No error
into the dumpster
of
Smelling like old dirty socks
Smelling like old dirty socks
"Smelling like old dirty socks" is a misplaced modifier that refers to the wheel of cheese, but in the current form of this sentence seems as if it is modifying Andy.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Barely hanging from the tree branch, the outstretched arms of its owner seemed like they were a million miles away from the scared kitten. No error
its owner
they were
the scared kitten
No error
Barely hanging from the tree branch,
Barely hanging from the tree branch,
"Barely hanging from the tree branch" is a misplaced modifier in the current incarnation of this sentence, as it is modifying "the outstretched arms" rather than correctly referring to "the scared kitten."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Shaking the rafters of the old gymnasium, the varsity basketball team was overwhelmed by the hometown crowd's vigorous cheers after the epic championship victory. No error
epic
was overwhelmed
vigorous cheers
Shaking the rafters of the old gymnasium,
No error
Shaking the rafters of the old gymnasium,
"Shaking the rafters of the old gymnasium" is a misplaced modifier that is intended to refer to the crowd's vigorous cheers, but here incorrectly modifies "the varsity basketball team."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Facing a harsh winter and a lack of food in a new land, the students were engrossed in the story of how the Pilgrims survived their first winter in America. No error.
how the Pilgrims
No error
Facing a harsh winter and a lack of food in a new land
were engrossed
their first winter
Facing a harsh winter and a lack of food in a new land
"Facing a harsh winter and a lack of food in a new land" is a dangling modifier that should modify the Pilgrims, not the students. We will need to update the sentence so that the modifier more clearly reflects the correct noun.
Example Question #5 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Projecting a stately demeanor as he descended from the helicopter, the Secret Service officer immediately stepped up to protect the smiling President. No error.
smiling
No error
Projecting a stately demeanor as he descended from the helicopter
to protect
immediately
Projecting a stately demeanor as he descended from the helicopter
"Projecting a stately demeanor as he descended from the helicopter" is a dangling modifier that should refer to the President, not to the Secret Service.
Example Question #5 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Shaking every building in the downtown area, Winona crouched in the corner of her bedroom when the massive earthquake hit. No error.
in
Shaking every building in the downtown area
when
hit
No error
Shaking every building in the downtown area
"Shaking every building in the downtown area" is a dangling modifier that should correctly refer to "when the massive earthquake hit" and not to Winona.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Dangling Modifier 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.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam was impressed by the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam is admiring the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, the oak trees impressed Sam on his walk.
Rustles in the summer breeze, Sam admires the oak trees on his walk.
As they rustled in the summer breeze, Sam was impressed by the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam admires the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, the oak trees impressed Sam on his walk.
Since "rustling in the summer breeze" refers to the oak trees rather than Sam (since trees, not people, can rustle), "the oak trees" has to go directly after that modifying phrase. This construction only occurs in the answer choice of "Rustling in the summer breeze, the oak trees impressed Sam on his walk."
Example Question #151 : 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.
Running late to class, Tom's backpack fell off as he sprinted down the hall. No error
down the hall
he sprinted
fell off
Tom's backpack
No error
Tom's backpack
The dangling modifier "Running late to class" must be immediately followed by the subject Tom. In the question, the modifier is followed by Tom's backpack, which incorrectly suggests that the backpack is running late to class.
Example Question #13 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Staring out the window, the lengthy car ride to Nebraska seemed to take forever. No error
No error
to
lengthy
take forever
Staring out the window
Staring out the window
The error in this sentence is the dangling modifier: "Staring out the window." A dangling modifier is one that is left without a noun to modify (or without one that it would make sense to modify). Since a car ride can't stare out a window, "staring out the window" does not have a logical noun to modify and is therefore a dangling modifier. A corrected sentence might look like this: "As Mia stared out the window, the lengthy car ride to Nebraska seemed to last forever" or "Staring out the window, Mia lamented that the lengthy car ride to Nebraska seemed to take forever."
Example Question #14 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Looking at it from above, the city seemed much smaller than George would have thought. No error
No error
above
would
than
the city
the city
The sentence above contains a dangling modifier. Since it is George who is "looking at it from above" in the first clause, George must be the subject of the second clause, not "the city."
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
