All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #113 : 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.
I had reason to believe it was the same truck which had been involved in the hit-and-run last year. No error
reason
No error
last year
it
which
which
In this sentence, the phrase "had been involved in the hit-and-run from last year" is not a subordinate clause. Rather, it is part of the main clause and helps to identify which truck in particular the speaker is referring to. Because it is not subordinate, the use of the word "which" is inappropriate and confusing. The word "that" should be used instead.
Example Question #472 : 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.
Nancy brought over the most heavenly-smelling batch of pecan rolls, that would have been lovely if I weren’t allergic to both nuts and gluten. No error
No error
that
brought over
both nuts and gluten
lovely
that
This sentence mixes up the words “that” and “which.” “Which” is used to start a phrase that provides additional information after a comma. The content of a which-phrase is loosely connected to the content of the main phrase, and the sentence would still make sense if the information contained in the phrase were omitted. “That” directly follows the word it’s modifying, with no comma intervening. The corrected sentence reads, "Nancy brought over the most heavenly-smelling batch of pecan rolls, which would have been lovely if I weren’t allergic to both nuts and gluten."
Example Question #121 : Identifying Other Usage 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.
The seagull must have injured it's wing; it is having a lot of difficulty flying and can't seem to get off the ground. No error
No error
have
wing;
it's
flying and
it's
"It's" is the contraction, meaning "it is." "Its," without the apostrophe, is the possessive pronoun - the correct one that should be used here. This is a VERY common error, just remember that this is a rare case where the possessive form specifically does not take an apostrophe.
Example Question #122 : Identifying Other 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.
"You're beautiful," he whispered sensually in her ear, "and I hope to multiply you're happy days for the rest of our lives." No error
sensually
ear,
you're
No error
beautiful,"
you're
Although "you're" is correct the first time it appears in the sentence, it is a contraction of "you are;" it is, in other words, a subject and a verb. In the second half of the sentence, "happy days" is an object that the speaker is talking about, and "you're" should be changed to your, the possessive form of the pronoun "you." This makes it clear that she has happy days, but is not herself made of happy days. To see the problem more clearly, replace "you're" with "you are" every time it appears: "...I hope to multiply you are happy days..."
Example Question #411 : 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 you had booked a hotel like I asked, we wouldn’t have have to sleep at the airport. No error
No error
asked,
have to sleep
wouldn't have
had booked
have to sleep
Here, the correct form of the present perfect is “wouldn’t have had to sleep,” not “wouldn’t have have to sleep.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other 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.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a wide array of neglected animals before I began volunteering at the shelter. No error
I've ever seen
I don't think
No error
I began volunteering
a wide array
I've ever seen
The form of the sentence requires that we use the past perfect (e.g. "I had done something") instead of the present perfect (e.g. "I have done something") since the speaker is discussing the time "before [he or she] began volunteering at the shelter." The correct form of the past perfect is “I’d,” a contraction of “I had," instead of "I've," a contraction of "I have."
Example Question #412 : 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.
According to our boss, we are suppose to lock the register, clean the restrooms, and restock the shelves before we finish our shifts. No error
No error
suppose to
restrooms, and
According to our boss,
before we finish our shifts.
suppose to
Here, we have a simple verb error. The correct form is always “supposed to,” never “suppose to.”
Example Question #413 : 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 he hadn’t read the book on midwifery, he wouldn’t of known that birthing practices in modern hospitals are sometimes deleterious to women. No error
wouldn’t of known
in modern hospitals
deleterious
No error
midwifery,
wouldn’t of known
We have another simple verb error here. Despite how it sounds in spoken dialogue, the correct form is always “wouldn’t have” and never “wouldn’t of.”
Example Question #411 : 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.
I can’t hardly see the road; the frost, while beautiful and sparkly, has completely obscured my windshield. No error
road;
No error
I can't hardly see
obscured
while beautiful and sparkly,
I can't hardly see
The phrase “can’t hardly” works as a double negative and is grammatically incorrect. If you can’t hardly see something, you can actually see it pretty well, which is clearly not the meaning that the speaker of this sentence intends. The correct form would be “I can hardly see the road.” Elsewhere in the sentence, the semicolon is the correct punctuation, since it’s separating two independent clauses.
Example Question #91 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
The triplets didn’t rest until they had drove the babysitter insane with their bickering, tantrums, and juvenile games. No error
No error
juvenile
The triplets didn't rest
they had drove
their bickering,
they had drove
Here we have another error with the present perfect. The correct conjugation is “they had driven,” not “they had drove.”
Certified Tutor