SAT Writing : Identifying Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Calvin would often tell Jimmy that Jimmy was his best friend, while simultaneously at the same time he would tell Steve that he was his best friend. No error.
he
would often
simultaneously
No error
Jimmy
simultaneously
"Simultaneously" means the same thing as "at the same time" in this sentence, and is therefore redundant.
Example Question #91 : 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 kitten is very shy around most people, yet but he immediately runs up to play with Daisy whenever she comes into the house. No error.
No error
but
whenever
around
to play
but
"But" is a redundant word in the above sentence, as it is a synonym of "yet" and is not required for the sentence to be grammatically correct.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As the substitute teacher wrote the homework assignment on the board, the last bell began to ring as well. No error
on
board, the last bell
No error
wrote
as well
as well
Since the use of "as" in the introductory clause already establishes that another action is happening at the same time, the "as well" is redundant and should be omitted.
Example Question #951 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Darren spent most of the day sulking alone in his room, but however he came out once to eat dinner with his parents. No error
spent
but however
most of the day
No error
to eat
but however
Using both "but" and "however" is redundant; there is no need for both of those conjunctions here. Only one is necessary (and, for what it's worth, "but" would sound better in this sentence).
Example Question #952 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error.
In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp counselors also gave them dessert and played educational games with them. No error
the children, the
also
played
No error
them
also
The error in this sentence is redundancy, which is basically saying more than you need to. Since the beginning of the sentence already established that the counselors were going to provide something else besides lunch ("in addition"), saying "also" later is redundant. The solution for redundancy is almost always just cutting something out so the revised sentence would read "In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp counselors gave them dessert and played educational games with them."
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