SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #6 : Identifying Verb Errors
Please choose the part of the sentence that needs to be corrected. Some sentences may have no error at all.
The judges were amazed that Joe had been able to sang so beautifully. No error
No error
amazed
were
had
sang
sang
Because "the judges were amazed that Joe had been able to sing" the correct conjugation of the verb uses the present, rather than the past participle.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Voice Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
That organization recommends that each person exercises for at least thirty minutes a day at least three days a week. No error
recommends
at least three days a week
No error
at least thirty
exercises
exercises
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility (including recommendations and commands) rather than truth. In the sentence above, because the word the organization being discussed is making a recommendation, we know that subjunctive should be used. The correct subjunctive construction of the sentence above is "That organization recommends that each person exercise for at least thirty minutes a day, at least three days a week."
Example Question #141 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
New imaging techniques, which use improved technology in the detecting of deadly cancers, may allow doctors to save more lives. No error
which use
may allow
no error
to save
in the detecting
in the detecting
When we want to show the purpose of the sentence’s subject (in this case, the purpose of improved imaging technology), we must use the infinitive form of the verb—detect. The sentence would read correctly as, “New imaging techniques, which use improved technology to detect deadly cancers, may allow doctors to save more lives.”
Example Question #3 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although he had never taken piano lessons, anytime that Jeff, who was unusually intelligent, sees a piano, he was able to play a song. No error
sees
able to play
No error
Although
who was
sees
The entire sentence refers to the past, as we can tell from the verb "was" in "who was unusually intelligent" and the verb "was" in "was able to play." Therefore, the verb "sees" should be in the past tense like the rest of the verbs in the sentence. To correct the sentence's error, we would need to change "sees" to "saw."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 revolutionary, having been the subject of abuse during his childhood, emphatically lead the uprising, fueled by both a desire for social justice, as well as a certain anger that he himself did not entirely understand. No error
lead
he himself
fueled by both
having been
No error
lead
"Lead" is in the present tense. Given that the rest of the sentence is in the past tense, this verb should also be in the past tense. Therefore, it should be "led," not "lead."
Example Question #11 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 soon as I booked my flight to visit my friends in New York, I am finding that all the prices for plane tickets were plummeting. No error
No error
I am finding
prices for
to
As soon as
I am finding
This sentence written in the past tense, except for the phrase “I am finding.” In order to maintain proper verb tense, the underlined portion should be changed to “I found.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While most species of monkeys live in tropical areas, there is a type of monkey that lives in northern Japan, where it has snowed. No error
No error
there is
has snowed
in
most
has snowed
Given that the rest of the sentence is in present tense, the underlined portion should be as well. "Has snowed" should be replaced by "snows."
Example Question #12 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 David cooks, he uses a variety of spices and put the flame on very high, creating flavorful and charred dishes. No error
creating
No error
put
very high
he uses
put
Since most of this sentence is in the present tense, it is incorrect for other verbs to be in a different tense, as a general rule. Therefore, “put,” which is in past tense, should be “puts,” the proper present tense form.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After several hours of futile research, Paco decided to then take a break before he would resume his search for pertinent data once again. No error
would
pertinent
No error
then
futile
then
The infinitive verb “to take” should not be split by the word “then.” If you wanted to keep the "then" in the sentence but not split the infinitive, you might place it after "Paco" and before "decided."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Christine had difficulty finding a job despite having been the valedictorian of her university’s graduating class. No error
having been
finding a job
No error
of her university's graduating class
difficulty
No error
This sentence contains no grammatical, stylistic, or usage errors.
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