SAT Writing : Identifying Punctuation Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #81 : 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 was packing for college, Jenna made a list of items to take that included the following things; alarm clock, trash can, and pillows. No error
No error
to take
was
made
things;
things;
When introducing a list of items following an independent clause a colon should be used, not a semicolon. Semicolons combine two independent clauses, or two sentences that could each stand alone. This is not the case here since "alarm clock, trash can, and pillows" cannot be its own sentence.
Example Question #82 : 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.
We had several snacks to choose from; popcorn, chips, chocolate, and ice cream. No error
had
to choose
several
No error
from;
from;
When beginning a list of three or more items following an independent clause, a colon should be used not a semicolon. Semicolons are only used to combine two independent clauses into one sentence.
Example Question #83 : 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.
Cindy is generally an outgoing person, however, tonight she hardly said a word. No error
No error
word
generally
person,
she
person,
There should be a semicolon after "person" because the sentence includes two independent clauses. Separating two independent clauses with just a comma creates a comma splice error. Comma splice errors can be fixed by inserting a coordinating conjunction after the comma, replacing the comma with a semicolon, or replacing the comma with a period.
Example Question #84 : 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.
The professor was not only known for her oratorical skills; but also for her compassion for students. No error
No error
students
her
skills;
was
skills;
There should be a comma after skills, not a semicolon. A semicolon connects two independent clauses into one sentence. "But also for her compassion for students" cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Example Question #85 : 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.
When I visited Spain with my parents, I really wanted to see four cities; Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Sevilla. No error
wanted
visited
cities;
No error
When
cities;
At the introduction of a list following an independent clause, a colon should be used, not a semicolon. The items in this list do not form an independent clause, and therefore should not be preceded by a semicolon.
Example Question #86 : 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.
Juan's grandmother was becoming frail quickly: she was getting thinner by the second. No error
becoming
grandmother
by
No error
quickly:
quickly:
There should be a semicolon after quickly rather than a colon, since there are two independent clauses in the sentence. Two independent clauses should be connected into a compound sentence with a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction.
Example Question #87 : 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.
Kinjal drives a Mercedes; Michael drives a Toyota. No error
Toyota
drives
No error
a
Mercedes;
No error
The sentence is correct as written. The semicolon is correctly used to connect two independent clauses into one sentence. A comma and a conjunction, or a period would also have been acceptable options here.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
He ate a large meal at breakfast; since he is so big. No error
No error
since
ate
breakfast;
big.
breakfast;
There should be a comma after breakfast instead of a semicolon. "Since he is so big," is not a complete grammatical clause.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Kristin despises eating green vegetables; however, her mother keeps insisting they are good for her health. No error
however,
No error
vegetables;
keeps
despises
No error
The sentence is correct and the semicolon is correctly positioned, since it separates two independent clauses. A semicolon is an optional stylistic choice here, separating the clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or a period would be equally correct.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She had two choices at that moment; give up or keep running. No error
No error
or
choices
had
moment;
moment;
The word "moment" should be followed by a colon, not a semicolon. This is because semicolons should only be used to separate two independent clauses that could stand alone as two different sentences, which is not the case here. A colon here would correctly grammatically signal the beginning of the list.
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