SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #32 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative Errors

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

Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than SusieNo error

Possible Answers:

more popular than Susie

making

at her

No error

gigantic

Correct answer:

more popular than Susie

Explanation:

In this sentence, there is an illogical comparison between Maria’s birthday party (a thing) and Susie (a person). Assuming that the comparison should be between two birthday parties, the corrected sentence reads: "Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than Susie’s party."

Example Question #32 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative 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 is true that both the knight and the samurai wielded swords; however, the samurai was certainly the most adept at swordplay. No error

Possible Answers:

most

wielded

No error

swords; however

both the knight

Correct answer:

most

Explanation:

In the above sentence, two subjects are being compared: the knight and the samurai. When a sentence compares only two subjects, it is appropriate to use the comparative form ("more") rather than the superlative form ("most") of adjectives.

Example Question #33 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative Errors

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

I used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpfulNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

the most helpful

used to find

schedules, but

have discovered

Correct answer:

the most helpful

Explanation:

This sentence uses a superlative (“most”) when it is only comparing between two things. The comparative “more” would be better. The corrected sentence reads, "I used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpful."

Example Question #491 : 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.

If less than thirty people are present tomorrow to vote for class president, we will postpone the election. No error

Possible Answers:

are present

president, we will

No error

less than

to vote

Correct answer:

less than

Explanation:

"Less than" should be changed to "fewer than." When deciding whether to use "less" or "fewer" in relation to a give noun, if you can count that noun or it has a plural ("people," "glasses of water," etc.) "fewer than" is grammatically correct, and if you can't count it or it has no plural ("time," "money," "water," measurements) "less than" is grammatically correct. As an example, you would say "less water," but "fewer buckets of water."

Example Question #34 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative Errors

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

Most sweaters are made of acrylic, wool, or cashmere, and though they are the more expensive of the three, I prefer cashmere sweaters because they are so soft. No error

Possible Answers:

though

Most

acrylic, wool, or cashmere,

the more expensive of the three

No error

Correct answer:

the more expensive of the three

Explanation:

The phrase "the more expensive of the three" contains this sentence's error. Three types of sweaters are being compared: acrylic sweaters, wool sweaters, and cashmere sweaters. The comparative adjective "more" is used; this is incorrect because comparative adjectives are only used for comparing two things, as in the sentence, "I like vanilla ice cream more than chocolate-covered strawberries." When comparing three or more things, a superlative adjective should be used. In this case, that means that "more" should be changed to "most" to correct the sentence's error.

Example Question #291 : 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.

Though many people may disagree, I think my brother is the cuter baby in the whole wide world. No error

Possible Answers:

I think my

No error

cuter baby

many people

the whole

Correct answer:

cuter baby

Explanation:

Because the baby is being compared to all of the babies in the world, the superlative "cutest baby" is needed. If the baby were being compared to only one other child, the comparative "cuter baby" would be appropriate. This makes the correct selection "cuter baby."

Example Question #292 : 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 a train and an airplane, an airplane is the fastest and more reliable way to travel. No error

Possible Answers:

an airplane

is the fastest

more reliable

No error

Between a train

Correct answer:

is the fastest

Explanation:

Because only two objects (the train and the airplane) are being compared in this sentence, the comparative "faster" must be used. If there were three or more items being compared, the superlative "fastest" would be appropriate. This makes the correct selection "is the fastest."

Example Question #293 : Identifying Word Usage Errors

She stumped me with a riddle about ten boxes of various weights; the goal was to find the heavier one by only using the scale twice.

Possible Answers:

heavier one

using

stumped me with

No error

of various weights

Correct answer:

heavier one

Explanation:

In this sentence, there are nine boxes, so the the superlative “heaviest” would be better than the comparative “heavier.” The corrected sentence reads: She stumped me with a riddle about ten boxes of various weights; the goal was to find the heaviest one by only using the scale twice.

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.

Jon, as an avid lover of all animals, decided to protest over the depiction of violence towards dogs, which is becoming increasingly common in feature films. No error

Possible Answers:

over

towards

No error 

lover of all animals

becoming 

Correct answer:

over

Explanation:

As a general idiomatic rule, the verb "protest" always goes with the preposition "against," not "over." Therefore, the phrase should be "protest against," not "protest over."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Other 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.

When the batter made contact with the baseball, it zoomed threw the air like a bullet and flew out of the park. No error

Possible Answers:

out of the 

like 

threw

No error

made contact

Correct answer:

threw

Explanation:

The preposition here should be spelled "through." "Threw" is the past tense singular form of the verb "to throw" and is not appropriate in this sentence. 

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