SAT Writing : Identifying Punctuation Errors
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Example Question #26 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Due to the many alumnis’ generous support, the campaign was a smashing success, and the university was able to build a new woodworking studio for the art department. No error
No error
the many alumnis’
success,
woodworking
smashing
the many alumnis’
The plural of alumnus is alumni, not alumnis, so the correct possessive is “alumni’s generous support.” Here, a comma is needed after the dependent clause (“Due to the many alumni’s generous support”) and between the two independent clauses that are separated by a conjunction.
Example Question #651 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The scientists, all eminent in their fields, were so busy entering figures into the computer that they failed to notice the datas’ glaring inconsistencies. No error
scientists,
eminent
fields,
No error
datas’
datas’
Data is the correct plural, not datas (the singular is actually datum), so the correct plural possessive is simple “data’s glaring inconsistencies.”
Example Question #652 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My work involves studying the common starlings prevalence in various urban and suburban habitats; as such, I do extensive fieldwork every year. No error
as such,
habitats;
My work involves studying
common starlings
No error
common starlings
In the original sentence, “the common starlings” is incorrect. It should be a singular possessive noun: “the common starling’s prevalence.” Although the scientist is obviously studying more than one starling, he or she is talking about the single species, so “the common starling” is a singular noun.
Example Question #653 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many students are first exposed to Descarte’s philosophy in high school, but it isn’t until college or even graduate school that they can begin to fully articulate his more complex concepts. No error
No error
it isn’t until
Descarte’s
high school
they can begin to
Descarte’s
Here, an apostrophe is incorrectly breaking up philosopher René Descartes’ name. The apostrophe should come after the ‘s’ and not before it.
Example Question #654 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After watching your dog, I’ve reached the conclusion that it doesn’t like to have its’ head stroked or its belly rubbed. No error
its’
I’ve reached the conclusion that
dog,
No error
its
its’
The correct possessive of the pronoun “it” is “its” without an apostrophe. Therefore, the correct phrase should be “it doesn’t like to have its head stroked.” The rest of the punctuation and phrases in the sentence are correct.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Werent you supposed to be guarding the food stores last night? No error
Werent
supposed
No error
night?
be guarding
Werent
"Weren't" is a contraction of the words "were not" and must always contain an apostrophe. "Werent" is incorrect as written in the provided sentence, as it is missing this apostrophe.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Apostrophe 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 diners praised the chef for the entrée’s rich taste and the hors d’ouevre’s exquisite texture; they were astonished that her restaurant had not yet received a good review in a major newspaper. No error
entrée’s rich taste
No error
hors d’ouevre’s
exquisite texture;
had not yet received
hors d’ouevre’s
"Hors d’ouevres" is a word taken from French, and it is always spelled with the final "s." For that reason, the possessive apostrophe needs to come after the "s" and not before it.
Example Question #161 : Identifying 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.
As she drives the car through the geese's puddle, it's swinging door flies open. No error
No error
geese's
drives
door flies
it's
it's
The "it" in the second clause logically must be the car, not the geese's puddle. The contraction "it's" is only used as a replacement for the phrase "it is;" when expressing possession by an object, "its" (without an apostrophe) is always the correct form. The present tense verbs, while unusual, are not incorrect.
Example Question #162 : Identifying 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.
I cant understand why the weather has been so foul lately; it's very unseasonable. No error
it's
cant
No error
why the weather
lately;
cant
The word "cant" means something entirely different from the word "can't," which is a contraction of the words "can" and "not" ("Cant" refers to purposeless chatter or discourse). The latter is clearly what should be in the sentence above, since it is a verb and not a noun, and as such, the portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "cant."
Example Question #163 : Identifying 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.
I wont be very happy with you if you continue to fail to clean up your fair share of the dishes. No error
your fair share
No error
with you
I wont be
to fail to
I wont be
"Wont" refers to a desire acquired through custom or habit. Clearly this is not the right word for this sentence. "Won't" (with an apostrophe) is a contraction of "will not," which fits this sentence much better.
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