SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #201 : 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.
As I left my house to go to the store, I having my keys in hand and my makeup carefully applied; I had no idea that neither of those states would last. No error
No error
As
neither
carefully
having
having
"Having" is the present progressive form of the verb "to have," and the rest of the sentence is written entirely in the past tense. "Having" should be changed to "had" to agree with "left," "applied," and "had no idea."
Example Question #395 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Since the argument about cheese curds, Paul and I are not speaking to each other more than is absolutely necessary.
argument about
than is absolutely necessary
are not speaking
No error
each other
are not speaking
The timeline of the verb tenses in this sentence is slightly off. The corrected sentence reads: Since the argument about cheese curds, Paul and I have not been speaking to each other more than is absolutely necessary.
Example Question #396 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Allowed the students to continue their protest, the police stood watch without making a move.
Allowed the students to continue their protest
Allowed the students to continue they're protest
Allowing the students to continue their protest
Allowed students to continue their protest
Allowing the students to continue they're protest
Allowing the students to continue their protest
The underlined portion of the sentence is a conditional phrase, explaining the condition under which "the police stood watch." As such, the verb in the phrase needs to actually be a gerund, or a verb describing action that functions as a noun; therefore, "Allowing the students to continue their protest," is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #144 : 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.
No matter how diverse a menu may be, John always orders the most basic dish that he could find. No error
most
No error
always
could
how
could
The sentence is written in the present tense, except for the modal verb, "could," which expresses possibility where none is needed; we're told that John "always" orders basic dishes. "Could" should be changed to the present tense verb "can" so that its tense matches that of "orders."
Example Question #202 : 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.
If I was the principal, I would make the student council dedicate their time to issues that concern all students. No error
No error
was
principal
council dedicate
concern all students
was
Since the speaker is talking about a hypothetical situation, it is appropriate to use the subjunctive mood to denote that. The sentence should therefore begin "If I were the principal," ("were" being the first-person subjunctive form of "is") rather than "If I was the principal." Look out for key words such as "if" or "I wish" to denote where the subjunctive mood should be used.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I was president, I would adjust the national budget so that everyone would be able to live comfortably. No error
comfortably
was
to live
No error
would
was
Since the speaker of the sentence is discussing a hypothetical situation, the verb "was" should be changed to its subjunctive form, "were."
Example Question #203 : 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.
Caleb was certain that if he was in charge, the student council would be able to secure his favorite band to play at prom. No error
to play
No error
charge, the
was
would be able
was
In this sentence, the writer is referring to a hypothetical situation of Caleb being in charge. This requires the use of the subjunctive mood of the verb. The phrase "if he was in charge" should therefore be changed to "if he were in charge," so "was" should be replaced with "were."
Example Question #204 : 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.
In her Agriculture classes, Daisy always asks her students to grow the biggest pumpkins they could grow. No error
No error
could
Agriculture
biggest
to grow
could
The sentence is written entirely in present tense without the use of modal verbs except for the modal verb "could." In order to maintain consistency, we need to change "could" to "can."
Example Question #205 : 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.
Standing at the front door, Patrick passionately proclaimed that everything would change if he was in charge of the house instead of his parents. No error
proclaimed
was
Standing at the front door
No error
instead of
was
In this sentence, Patrick is describing a hypothetical situation in which he is in charge of the house. Since this situation has not actually happened, he would need to use the subjunctive mood for the "verb" is and change "was" to "were" ("if he were in charge").
Example Question #206 : 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.
Even when the chips are down, Daisy always thinks about how she could help her fellow students. No error
the chips
No error
could
always
about how
could
While the majority of the sentence is written in the present tense, the modal verb "could" expresses potential unnecessarily. "Could" should be changed to the present tense "can" in order to match the mood of the sentence.
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