SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #481 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
John and Susan were disappointed when they heard the rain, because they knew that they're soccer game would be canceled. No error
knew
No error
were disappointed
they're
heard
they're
"They're" is a contraction which means "they are." The correct form in this case is the possessive pronoun "their." So, "they're" contains the sentence's error.
Example Question #44 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The hand jive is a dance from the '50s where one slaps and claps one's hands to the beat. No error
is
No error
one's
where
'50s
where
"Where" speaks to location. In this sentence, the clause should be "during which" or "in which." Note that '50s is appropriate: it is never "50's."
Example Question #111 : 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.
The last question, that was asked by the town’s famously off-kilter librarian, addressed the completely irrelevant issue of protection against government spying. No error
issue of
famously
No error
government spying
that
that
This sentence uses “that” where “which” is more appropriate. Use “which” for added information, after a comma. The corrected sentence reads, "The last question, which was asked by the town’s famously off-kilter librarian, addressed the completely irrelevant issue of protection against government spying."
Example Question #482 : Psat Writing Skills
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Judging from there aversion to loud noises, I doubt that the cats will enjoy having three toddlers running amok. No error
loud
will enjoy having
No error
running amok
there
there
This sentence uses the wrong version of there/their. The possessive “their” is appropriate in this case. The corrected sentence reads, "Judging from their aversion to loud noises, I doubt that the cats will enjoy having three toddlers running amok."
Example Question #111 : 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.
Christopher Columbus did not reach India like he had originally planned; instead, he arrived at an island which is currently part of the Dominican Republic. No error
No error
planned; instead
at
had
which
which
“That” would be a better substitute for “which” since the island we’re referring to is a thing. “Which” is used to refer to an action and/or introduce a new clause, especially after a comma. For example, “I couldn’t understand the directions, which bothered me.”
Example Question #1001 : 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.
Sarah believed that she would be excepted into her favorite university until she received a letter that dashed her hopes. No error
dashed her hopes
excepted
No error
would be
had believed
excepted
This sentence contains a common usage error—the word "accepted," meaning allowed into, has been confused with the word "excepted," meaning specifically left out. Confusing these words completely changes the meaning of the sentence.
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 had reason to believe it was the same truck which had been involved in the hit-and-run last year. No error
reason
last year
which
No error
it
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 #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.
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
both nuts and gluten
No error
that
lovely
brought over
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 #412 : Identifying Word 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
have
flying and
No error
it's
wing;
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 #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 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
beautiful,"
No error
sensually
you're
ear,
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..."
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