SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #1131 : 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.

Frank Herbert one of my favorite writers of all time, is most famous for his Dune novels. NO ERROR

Possible Answers:

NO ERROR

novels.

time,

Herbert one

famous

Correct answer:

Herbert one

Explanation:

In the sentence as written, the phrase "one of my favorite writers of all time" is an interrupting phrase. It should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. As such, there is a comma missing between "Herbert" and "one."

Example Question #1132 : 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.

Whenever I get depressed I try to think of things that make me happy, like my dog Sam. NO ERROR

 

Possible Answers:

me

depressed I

NO ERROR

happy, like

think of 

Correct answer:

depressed I

Explanation:

In the sentence above, "Whenever I get depressed" acts as an introductory phrase. It should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.

Example Question #1133 : 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.

When you go out this evening please be sure to lock the door. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

sure to

When

this

evening please

Correct answer:

evening please

Explanation:

Introductory or interrupting phrases (i.e. phrases that are subordinate and add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being complete) must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. In the sentence above, "evening please" should read "evening, please" so that the introductory phrase is properly separated from the rest of the sentence.

Example Question #1134 : 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.

The great teacher exhausted by the impositions of the school board, had decided to retire early. No error

Possible Answers:

school board

by

No error

to

The great teacher exhausted

Correct answer:

The great teacher exhausted

Explanation:

Introductory or interrupting phrases (i.e. phrases that are subordinate and add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being complete) must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. In the provided sentence, "The great teacher exhausted" should read "The great teacher, exhausted."

Example Question #112 : 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.

Although the students had studied hard they found that the answers to many of the questions eluded them. No error

Possible Answers:

hard they found

No error

answers to many 

Although the students 

questions eluded

Correct answer:

hard they found

Explanation:

An introductory phrase must always be separated from the rest of the sentence by comma. Introductory phrases are phrases that provide information about, or modify, the subject of the main clause, but are not essential to the grammatical structure of the sentence. In this sentence, the phrase "Although the students had studied hard" acts as the introductory phrase, so it must be followed by a comma. This makes the correct answer "hard they found."

Example Question #113 : 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.

Niko couldn't understand why, even though he had been so good his mother still wouldn't let him go over to Jimmy's house. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

Niko couldn't

wouldn't let him

why, even though

so good his mother

Correct answer:

so good his mother

Explanation:

The phrase "even though he had been so good" is a non-essential interrupting phrase. The sentence would still be correct even if it were deleted. Therefore, there must be commas before and after the phrase, which means that the the correct answer is "so good his mother."

Example Question #114 : 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.

Because Corrine the former vice president of the club, had attended every single meeting, Amanda vowed that she would do the same. No error

Possible Answers:

meeting, Amanda

No error

Corrine the former

club, had attended

she would do

Correct answer:

Corrine the former

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the phrase "the former vice president" is an appositive phrase that renames Corrine. Because commas are required before and after an appositive phrase, "the former vice president" must have commas before it and after it. This means that the correct answer is "Corrine the former."

Example Question #115 : 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.

As luck would have it there were no open appointments on Kendra's only day off from work. No error

Possible Answers:

day off

appointments on Kendra's

As luck

have it there

No error

Correct answer:

have it there

Explanation:

In this sentence, the phrase "As luck would have it" is an introductory phrase. Because an introductory phrase must be followed by a comma, the sentence should read "As luck would have it, there were no open appointments on Kendra's only day off from work." This makes the correct selection "have it there."

Example Question #116 : 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.

Just as the students had feared their teacher presented them with a pop-quiz to make sure they had completed last night's reading assignment. No error

Possible Answers:

Just as the students

last night's reading

feared their teacher

pop-quiz to

No error

Correct answer:

feared their teacher

Explanation:

An introductory phrase must always be followed by a comma. In this sentence, the phrase "Just as the students had feared" acts as an introductory phrase, so it must be followed by a comma.

Example Question #117 : 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.

If you're going to be staying here long I must insist that you treat our employees with at least a modicum of respect. No error

Possible Answers:

long I must

If you're going

that you

with at least a modicum of respect.

No error

Correct answer:

long I must

Explanation:

In the example sentence "If you're going to be staying here long" is clearly a dependent clause (big clue being the "if") because this clause provides context and precedes the main clause, it is called an introductory clause. The only correct way to punctuate an introductory clause is to add a comma after the last word in the phrase, which in this case is "long."

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