SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #257 : Identifying Punctuation Errors

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

Drums in one form or another, are used in nearly every kind of regional music on the planet. No error

Possible Answers:

another, are

nearly

Drums in

No error

on

Correct answer:

Drums in

Explanation:

Here, "in one form or another" is being used as an interrupting phrase in the sentence, therefore, it should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. The relevant grammatical structure of the sentence has "drums" (the subject) being used (the verb here is "are"). The additional phrase "in one form or another" interrupts the flow of the sentence to modify the universality of the statement.

The full, correct version of this sentence reads: "Drums, in one form or another, are used in nearly every kind of regional music on the planet." 

Example Question #258 : Identifying Punctuation 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 Mr. Williams, who had a great deal of experience working with all manner of students, was unable to help the young girl. No error

Possible Answers:

students, was

No error

of experience working

to help

Williams, who

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

"Who had a great deal of experience working with all manner of students" here acts as an interrupting phrase, and, in this instance, is correctly separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. The sentence is correct as written.

Example Question #259 : Identifying Punctuation Errors

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

Gaius Marius, a great man in his time was dismayed at what Rome had become. No error

Possible Answers:

at

Gaius Marius, a great man

time was

no error

Rome

Correct answer:

time was

Explanation:

Here, the phrase "a great man in his time" describes "Gaius Marius," and interrupts the grammatical flow of the sentence. It is therefore the interrupting phrase in the sentence, and should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Note that in the example sentence the failure to correctly enclose the interrupting phrase with a second comma results in a comma use error, separating the subject from its verb.

The full, correct version of the sentence reads: "Gaius Marius, a great man in his time, was dismayed at what Rome had become."

Example Question #101 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas

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

Ramen a traditional dish from Japan, is an extremely hearty meal. No error

Possible Answers:

extremely

no error

hearty meal

Ramen a traditional dish from Japan,

an

Correct answer:

Ramen a traditional dish from Japan,

Explanation:

Here, the phrase "a traditional dish from Japan" acts as an interrupting phrase in the sentence, disrupting the flow of the sentence for a contextual, not a grammatical, purpose. As such, the phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.  As written in the example, there is a comma missing between the word "ramen," and "a traditional dish from Japan."

Example Question #21 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

The science museum, one of my favorite places in the city was closed for repairs. No error

Possible Answers:

my

museum, one

repairs

in the city was

No error

Correct answer:

in the city was

Explanation:

Here, "one of my favorite places in the city" is acting as an interrupting phrase, and should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Note that if the interrupting clause is NOT correctly separated from the sentence with two commas, but rather only one comma is used, it will result in a comma error by separating the subject ("the science museum") from the verb "was closed."

Example Question #22 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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 wanted to be absolutely certain that there were no mistakes you should have overseen the details of the project yourself. No error

Possible Answers:

no mistakes you

should have overseen

If you wanted

No error

yourself

Correct answer:

no mistakes you

Explanation:

"If you wanted to be absolutely certain that there were no mistakes" is an introductory phrase, and therefore it must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. The corrected sentence would read: "If you wanted to be absolutely certain that there were no mistakes, you should have overseen the details of the project yourself."

Example Question #1121 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.  

While I was out walking my dog it started to rain so hard I couldn't see. No error

Possible Answers:

see.

No error

to rain so hard

While

dog it

Correct answer:

dog it

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a dependent clause (a clause that cannot stand on its own as a complete grammatical sentence). Dependent clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence, often using commas. This clause is also an introductory clause, and thus must be separated from the main clause with a comma after "dog." The best way to correct the sentence above is "While I was out walking my dog, it started to rain so hard I couldn't see."

Example Question #1122 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

After the rain stopped entirely I finally managed to get all of my groceries in. No error

Possible Answers:

all

managed

entirely I

After the rain

No error

Correct answer:

entirely I

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a dependent introductory clause. Such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence.  The best way to correct the sentence above is "After the rain stopped entirely, I finally managed to get all of my groceries in."

Example Question #1123 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

If you don't stop being so rude in your classes you will get sent home before the end of the day. No error

Possible Answers:

classes you

If you

day.

No error

being

Correct answer:

classes you

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a dependent introductory clause. Such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "If you don't stop being so rude in your classes, you will get sent home before the end of the day."

Example Question #1124 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

When I walked in the woods I saw many beautiful creatures. No error

Possible Answers:

many

creatures.

No error

woods I

When I

Correct answer:

woods I

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a dependent clause, a clause that cannot stand on its own as a grammatically complete sentence. "When I walked in the woods," is used as an introductory clause and thus must be separated from the rest of the sentence. The best way to correct the sentence above is "When I walked in the woods, I saw many beautiful creatures."

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