SAT Writing : Identifying Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #23 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither come with me, sir, or you're going to spend your evening in jail. No error
evening in jail.
you're going
me, sir,
No error
Neither
Neither
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "Neither" in the sentence above should be changed to "Either."
Example Question #31 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither the Duke or the Baron had anticipated that their liege lord was going to be present at the Summer Palace. No error
the Duke or
Baron had
the Summer Palace.
that their liege
No error
the Duke or
Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "nor."
Example Question #32 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Either the Mongols nor the Huns were the best horseman in history, but it's hard to choose between the two of them. No error
were the best
in history,
between the two
No error
Mongols nor
Mongols nor
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or."
Example Question #33 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Not only have you failed your class, but you've disappointed Father as well. No error
but you've
No error
you failed
Father as well.
your
but you've
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 also."
Example Question #71 : 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.
Vincent van Gogh sold only a few paintings during his lifetime, but yet he is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. No error
greatest
of all time
No error
sold
but yet
but yet
This sentence contains a redundancy error. The conjunctions "but" and "yet" are synonyms; they mean the same thing, so only one or the other is necessary to convey the intended meaning of the sentence.
The answer choice "sold" is correct because it contains the simple past tense, which is correct for events that happened in the past and don't continue into the present.
The answer choice "greatest" is correct because it uses the superlative form (the "-est" form) of the adjective great, which is appropriate for comparisons involving more than two items.
The answer choice "of all time" is a perfectly correct use of an idiomatic expression.
Example Question #2 : 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.
Once I learned how to swim, I would never go in the water for fear of drowning. No error
I would never
for fear of
swim,
Once
No error
Once
“Once” is the incorrect subordinate conjunction; it should be replaced by “until,” which is the only logical conjunction for the sentence.
Example Question #1 : 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.
Whether or nor they were in love, John decided he needed to break up with his long-distance girlfriend; the time apart was just too difficult. No error
girlfriend;
break up
Whether or nor
No error
love,
Whether or nor
The proper form of the subordinating conjunction is “whether or not,” not “whether or nor.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed in order to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Anna is an amazing lawyer, but however she has many personal issues that often get in the way of her professional work. No error.
of her
has many
but however
No error
often get
but however
The sentence features a redundancy error—since "but" comes first in the sentence, there is no need to include the synonym "however."
Example Question #4 : 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.
Until my friends went ice skating, I would always stay at home for fear of falling down on the ice. No error
on the ice
No error
would always
for fear of
Until
Until
The sentences uses the incorrect subordinate conjunction "Until"—"When" or "Whenever" would be better choices for the correct subordinate conjunction.
Example Question #72 : 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 and not the citizens agreed with the final decisions, the politicians felt that it was their responsibility to set laws that were fair for everyone. No error
for everyone
Whether and not
the final decisions
No error
it
Whether and not
The form of the subordinating conjunction used here is incorrect—it should be "Whether or not" instead of "Whether and not."
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