SAT Writing : Identifying Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #61 : 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.
Whether you intend to marry Eliza and not, you must start treating her with respect. No error
and
No error
must start
her
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 #62 : 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.
Phillip wanted neither to clean his room or to babysit his younger brother. No error
or
brother.
wanted
to
No error
or
Since Phillip wanted "neither" option, the word "or" must be replaced with "nor" to agree with "neither."
Example Question #63 : 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.
Not only have you failed to heed my advice, but you have done the worst thing imaginable, given the situation. No error
to heed
but you
imaginable, given
Not only
No error
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 #62 : 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.
Whether you want to be a fitness nut nor not, you must eat fewer french fries. No error
want
No error
french fries
nor
Whether
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."
Example Question #63 : 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.
Both Suzannah or Adrienne were excellent children; they always did as they were told. No error
were told.
excellent children;
No error
always did
Both Suzannah or Adrienne
Both Suzannah or Adrienne
Whenever you see the conjunction "both," and it is followed by a conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and." "Or" is a correlative conjunction used with "either."
Example Question #61 : 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.
Both the Supreme Court nor the Senate are venerable political institutions in the United States of America. No error
No error
venerable political institutions
nor
the Supreme Court
United States of America
nor
Whenever you see the word "both" used as a conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "and."
Example Question #21 : Identifying Correlative 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.
It was hard for the children to make the choice their parents had set before them; on their day off, they could either go to the new movie they'd been anticipating but they could invite their friends over for a pool party. No error
go to the new movie
but they could invite
their parents had set
No error
for the children to make
but they could invite
The use of the word "either" implies that a choice must be made, and signals the coming of the word "or." The correct sentence would read "It was hard for the children to make the choice their parents had set before them; on their day off, they could either go to the new movie they'd been anticipating or they could invite their friends over for a pool party." This makes the correct selection "but they could invite."
Example Question #62 : 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.
There was no way out of this sticky situation; the administration was stuck between a rock or a hard place. No error
a rock
way out of
No error
the administration was
or a hard place
or a hard place
When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "between" signals the coming use of the word "and." This means that the phrase in the sentence should read "between a rock and a hard place," and makes the correct selection "or a hard place."
Example Question #22 : Identifying Correlative 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.
Sonya was in complete agreement with everything the speaker had said; if there is to be change, and someone must step up and be the leader. No error
everything the speaker
was in complete agreement
to be change
and someone must
No error
and someone must
When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "if" signals the coming of the word "then." This means that the sentence should read "if there is to be change, then someone must step up and be the leader," making the correct selection "and someone must."
Example Question #61 : 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.
John enjoys foods from many different culinary backgrounds, so it will be difficult for him to choose which dish he likes better between the Japanese sushi rolls or the Thai curry. No error
No error
which dish
so it will
from
or
or
Given that John is choosing between two different options and the sentence uses the word "between" to describe his choosing between these options, "and" should be used to describe his selection of options, not "or."
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