SAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
While computers maybe an integral part of modern life, they cause problems as well as provide benefits. No error
maybe
life, they
as well as
No error
While
maybe
"Maybe" is an adverb that means perhaps and is incorrectly used in this sentence. To correct the sentence's error, "maybe" needs to be changed to "may be."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Given the disproportionate amount of deaths caused by drunk drivers, most states have passed strict legislation against individuals who choose to operate vehicles while inebriated. No error
No error
have passed
amount of deaths
inebriated
who choose
amount of deaths
"Amount of" refers to something that is not necessarily measured numerically, while "number of" refers to something that is measured numerically. Given that deaths incurred by drunk drivers is something that can be measured numerically, "number of" would be appropriate, not "amount of." If the sentence was "Given the disproportionate amount of heartache caused by drunk drivers . . .", the sentence would have been properly constructed because heartache generally cannot be measured numerically.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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 though Joseph is a big fan of cooking shows, he hasn't never cooked in his entire life. No error
hasn't
cooked
No error
Even though
his
hasn't
Double negatives are grammatically incorrect in standard written English, so instead of saying "hasn't never cooked," one should say "has never cooked."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Every year, thousands of tourists swarm to New York City to view the impressive, timeless monument known as the Statue Of Liberty. No error
the Statue Of Liberty
No error
to New York City
the impressive, timeless, monument
thousands of tourists
the Statue Of Liberty
The preposition “of” in the title “Statue of Liberty” does not need to be—and should not be—capitalized.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
The jury, despite hours of deliberation, is not able to resolve the issue; in the end, they cannot determine whose responsible for the crime. No error
No error
jury, despite
determine whose
issue; in the end
deliberation, is
determine whose
"Who is" and "who's" is not interchangeable with "whose": here the correct sentence is: "they cannot determine who is (who's) respsonsible ..."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
The Odyssey is a very long epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus and the long journey he undertakes to try to return to his home. No error
he undertakes
to try and return to his home
that
No error
The Odyssey is a long epic poem
The Odyssey is a long epic poem
The sentence tells us (correctly) that the Odyssey is "a long epic poem," so as a long poem, its title should be italicized as "The Odyssey."
Example Question #11 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
During the "Great Famine" of the mid-1800s, many Irish citizens immigrated from Ireland to countries around the world in an effort to escape mass starvation. No error
Ireland
effort
No error
immigrated
starvation
immigrated
The correct verb to describe the process of people leaving their country is "emigrated," which means to have left one's own country to live in another, usually out of necessity. The verb "immigrate" means to permanently relocate to a foreign country. One might emigrate from Ireland, and immigrate to America. In this case, "emigrated" is the correct choice because the focus is on the Irish citizens moving from Ireland, rather than to a specific destination.
Example Question #341 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Only one state was added in the 1870s: Colorado, which became apart of the United States in August of 1876. No error
:
Only
apart
which
No error
apart
"Apart" is an adverb. "A part" is a noun, and, more importantly, the appropriate noun to use in this instance. "Apart" is usually used in the "apart from" construction, which is not relevant to this sentence.
Example Question #342 : 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.
Grace's little sister always depends to Grace for help on homework. No error
No error
depends to
always
Grace's
for help
depends to
In this context, "depends" is conventionally followed by "on," not "to." In this case the little sister "depends on Grace," so she should be "grateful to" her.
Example Question #14 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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 order to do well on a standardied test, it helps for one to be familiar to the format of the test and with one's own testing tendencies. No error
do well
SAT,
familiar to
No error
one's
familiar to
This question is testing the idiom "familiar with," which means that "familiar to" is incorrect. An idiom is just a conventional way of saying something. Unfortuately, idioms do not follow distinct rules so they must just be memorized. A corrected sentence would look like this: In order to do well on the SAT, it helps for one to be familiar with the format of the test and with one's own testing tendencies.
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