SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #33 : 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.

It can be difficult to hear the approaching of cars running on electric engines. No error

Possible Answers:

approaching

to hear

No error

running on

It can be difficult

Correct answer:

approaching

Explanation:

This sentence uses the gerund "approaching" when the noun "approach" already exists. Changing "approaching" to "approach" clarifies the sentence. The corrected sentence reads, "It can be difficult to hear the approach of cars running on electric engines."

Example Question #366 : 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.

After attending a workshop on cake decorating, Joe brings edible works of art to every family gatheringNo error

Possible Answers:

every 

a workshop on

gathering

No error

brings

Correct answer:

brings

Explanation:

The timeline of verb tenses in this sentence doesn’t quite make sense. Read it out loud and you will probably hear that something is wrong. Since the first half is in the past, the second half should be too. The corrected sentence reads: After attending a workshop on cake decorating, Joe has brought edible works of art to every family gathering.

Example Question #367 : 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.

How did she made that cake so moist and fluffy without using an electric beater or any eggsNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

how

any eggs

made

 without

Correct answer:

made

Explanation:

The correct verb tense would be "make," since the sentence is phrased as a question and is not a declarative statement about something in the past.

Example Question #304 : Psat Writing Skills

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 bought an expensive patio umbrella I am finding them on clearance everywhereNo error

Possible Answers:

everywhere

expensive

No error

As soon as

am finding

Correct answer:

am finding

Explanation:

This sentence has a problem with the timeline of verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I found them on clearance everywhere."

Example Question #292 : 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.

They puzzled over the little mysteries of life and language, wondering if it is possible to mingle in a group of twoNo error

Possible Answers:

life and language

is

group of two

No error

over

Correct answer:

is

Explanation:

This sentence has a problem with verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "They puzzled over the little mysteries of life and language, wondering if it was possible to mingle in a group of two."

Example Question #311 : Psat Writing Skills

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Since he finally quit his stressful job, Joe is full of energy and witty banterNo error

Possible Answers:

energy and witty banter

No error

is

his

finally

Correct answer:

is

Explanation:

The timeline of this sentence isn’t quite right. Read it out loud, and you will probably hear that something is funny with the verb tense. Since the first half is in the past, the second half has to acknowledge that. The corrected sentence reads: Since he finally quit his stressful job, Joe has been full of energy and witty banter.

Example Question #312 : Psat Writing Skills

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Harold almost never complains, but he had never encountered customer service this lousy before. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

almost

but

lousy

had never encountered

Correct answer:

had never encountered

Explanation:

This sentence does not maintain a logical timeline between verb tenses. Read it out loud, and it will probably sound funny. “Had never encountered” should be used following a sentence in the past, not the present. The corrected sentence reads: Harold almost never complains, but he has never encountered customer service this lousy before.

Example Question #293 : 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.

Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth has been overhunting by humans or climate changeNo error

Possible Answers:

has been 

climate change

No error

whether

reason for

Correct answer:

has been 

Explanation:

This sentence uses the incorrect tense of the verb “to be.” The corrected sentence reads: Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth was overhunting by humans or climate change.

Example Question #41 : 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.

Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had been giving him, and Charlie took delight in his agony. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

his

and

agonized over

had been giving

Correct answer:

had been giving

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong verb tense. “Had been giving” is clunky and unnecessary. The corrected sentence reads: Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had given him, and Charlie took delight in his agony.

Example Question #42 : 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.

George was desperately excited to go caroling through the snow, but unfortunately it being July and he would have to waitNo error 

Possible Answers:

No error

through the snow

would have to wait

being

desperately

Correct answer:

being

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong form of the verb “to be.” “Was” is a better choice than “being” in this case. The corrected sentence reads: George was desperately excited to go caroling through the snow, but unfortunately it was July and he would have to wait.

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