SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #271 : 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.

Walking and taking public transportation are also options, but driving remains the more popular way to arrive at the festival. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

more popular

are

and taking

options

Correct answer:

more popular

Explanation:

This sentence uses a comparison adjective (“more”) when comparing three things: "walking," "taking public transportation," and "driving." A superlative (“most”) would be grammatically correct. The corrected sentence reads: "Walking and taking public transportation are also options, but driving remains the most popular way to arrive at the festival."

Example Question #272 : 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.

He could have chosen any profession in the world, but he decided that accounting was more interesting. No error

Possible Answers:

but

decided that

could have chosen

No error

more

Correct answer:

more

Explanation:

This sentence uses the comparative “more,” which should be used when comparing only two things. As this sentence compares all professions, the superlative “most” should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "He could have chosen any profession in the world, but he decided that accounting was the most interesting."

Example Question #273 : 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.

Any nutritionist will tell you that between black tea and coffee, coffee has the most caffeine. No error

Possible Answers:

Any

has

No error

between

the most

Correct answer:

the most

Explanation:

When two items are being compared, “more” is the appropriate word to use, while “most” is appropriate for comparisons involving three or more items. Here, two items are being compared: "black tea and coffee." Therefore, “more” is the appropriate word to use, not the phrase “the most.”

Example Question #274 : 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.

Of the three elements necessary to create metal alloys, titanium is the stronger, lead is the heaviest, and aluminum is the most pliable. No error

Possible Answers:

most pliable

heaviest

stronger

necessary to

No error

Correct answer:

stronger

Explanation:

Remember to use the comparative form of an adjective (the form that ends in "-er" or is preceded by "more") when comparing only two items, and to use the superlative form of an adjective (the form that ends in "-est" or is preceded by "most") when comparing more than two items. This sentence tells us that there are three items being compared, so "heaviest" and "most pliable" are correct here. Only "stronger" is in the comparative form when it should be in the superlative form, so it contains the sentence's error. The answer choice "necessary to" is a correct use of the idiom.

Example Question #275 : 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 demand as magazine editor and resident gossip queen, Paulina has never been more busier than she is this week. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

more busier

has never been

as

she is

Correct answer:

more busier

Explanation:

The phrase "more busier" is redundant—it should just be "busier," which implies the "more" aspect already. As seems like an attractive choice, but the phrase "in demand as magazine editor" displays proper idiomatic usage.

Example Question #276 : 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.

Alex has less ideas than his brother on how to convince their mother to buy them new television. No error

Possible Answers:

than

No error

has

less

to convince

Correct answer:

less

Explanation:

We use the word "less" to describe a quantity that doesn't have discrete parts. For example, we can say that we have "less money," because money doesn't have an inherent discrete unit; however, we cannot say that we have "less dollars" because a dollar is a discrete unit of dollars. In the case of the sentence above, since ideas have a discrete unit of a single idea, we say "fewer ideas," not "less ideas."

Example Question #277 : 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.

Among the twins, Lisa seems to be the more athletic one because she participates in more sports and also works in the health and fitness industry. No error

Possible Answers:

more athletic one

Among

more sports

health and fitness industry

No error

Correct answer:

Among

Explanation:

When two subjects are being compared (such as the twins in this sentence), the appropriate preposition to use for comparison is "between." "Among" is only appropriate when three or more subjects are being compared.

Example Question #278 : 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.

After Bobby counted how many Christmas presents he had compared to his brother, he became very upset when he realized that he had less presents. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

less

how many

compared 

became 

Correct answer:

less

Explanation:

When describing the quantity of an item that is countable, like "presents," "fewer" should be used. "Less" should only be used when a particular item is not countable, as in "less water" or "less fuel." 

Example Question #279 : 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.

Between Melville’s Moby Dick and Cervantes’ Don Quixote, I find the latter to be most compelling. No error

Possible Answers:

Between

latter

find

most

No error

Correct answer:

most

Explanation:

This sentence uses a superlative incorrectly. Since there are only two options, “more” should be used instead of “most.” The corrected sentence reads, "Between Melville’s Moby Dick and Cervantes’ Don Quixote, I find the latter to be more compelling."

Example Question #280 : 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.

Of English and biology, I find English to be the most challenging subject—nothing is logicalNo error

Possible Answers:

logical

Of English and biology

No error

most

nothing

Correct answer:

most

Explanation:

This sentence uses a superlative (“most”) when comparing between only two items. The comparative “more” is better here. The corrected sentence reads: Of English and biology, I find English to be the more challenging subject—nothing is logical!

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