SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #322 : 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.
He decided it would being a good idea to tell his friends that his birthday was actually the following day, but he was not sure how to say it tactfully. No error
No error
being a good idea
tactfully
was actually
how to say
being a good idea
This sentence uses “being” when “be” is appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "He decided it would be a good idea to tell his friends that his birthday was actually the following day, but he was not sure how to say it tactfully."
Example Question #61 : 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.
Thankfully, they brang their pirate diorama to school show-and-tell that day; they would have failed if they had forgotten. No error
had forgotten
that day; they
would have failed
No error
brang
brang
To correct this sentence's error, "brang" needs to be changed to "brought," which is the correct but irregular past tense form of "bring."
Example Question #61 : 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.
Until recently, scientists think that genes alone determine the longevity of new crops; however, new research suggests that environment, in addition to genetic factors, plays a crucial role in regulating a plant’s ability to resist pests and disease. No error
however
think
suggests
No error
plays
think
When we encounter a phrase such as "until recently," we know it must describe an event that took place in the past, but the verb "think" is in the present tense. This sentence therefore contains a tense error in the verb "think." Changing "think" to "thought" corrects the sentence's error.
Example Question #62 : 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.
When Martha goes to the coffee shop and places her order, it took her about five minutes to detail all of her specifications. No error
goes to the coffee shop
No error
took
to detail
When
took
This sentence has a problem with verb tense. Since the first half of the sentence is in the present, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "When Martha goes to the coffee shop and places her order, it takes her about five minutes to detail all of her specifications."
Example Question #62 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
Anytime Clara hears a new equation, she was able to remember it even months later. No error
later
hears
was
No error
even
was
Context clues in the sentence, such as "Anytime Clara hears" and "even months later" indicate that the speaker is not referring to Clara's ability in the past tense. Therefore, "was" should be changed to "is" or "will be."
Example Question #191 : 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.
By the time Ron got the brilliant orange goldfish home from the carnival and put it in a fishbowl, it died. No error
brilliant orange
fishbowl,
By the time
No error
it died.
it died.
Give the form of this sentence, the verb “to die” should be in the present perfect and not the simple past tense. We know this, because the sentence follows the general form “by the time X happened, Y had happened.” So the sentence should read “it had died,” not “it died.”
Example Question #192 : 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.
Reporters speculated wildly about what the prisoners had saw while they were in captivity, a time that spanned almost ten months. No error
speculated wildly
the prisoners had saw
captivity,
No error
that spanned almost
the prisoners had saw
In this sentence, the correct verb tense of “to see” is the present perfect, which is “had seen,” not “had saw.”
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.
Beverly Hills was a significant part of Los Angeles because its inhabitants include important professionals who have been very influential in the historical development of the entertainment industry. No error
was
part of
historical development
No error
because
was
This sentence is written in the present tense, as we can tell from its verb "include." However, the verb "was" is in the past tense. It should be in the present tense as well. To correct the sentence's error, "was" should be changed to "is."
Example Question #64 : Identifying Verb 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.
Justin, who had never tried celery before, was amazed by how crisp and refreshing it tastes. No error
who
No error
tastes
by
before,
tastes
The sentence is in past tense, as indicated by "was" and "had never tried." For this reason, the verb "taste" should also be in past tense. "Tasted" would be the correct version, not "tastes."
Example Question #193 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
The general was a man of great dignity and courage who sees the potential in men rather than simply their current ability, and he commanded in battle with clear eyes and a level head. No error
a
sees
great
No error
and courage
sees
Although the rest of the sentence clearly refers to the past ("was a man," "commanded in battle"), "sees" is written in the present tense. It should be changed to its third-person past tense form, "saw," to agree with the other verbs in the sentence.
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