SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Question #51 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Leila was convinced that her new boyfriend was the man she would someday marry: however, when he showed up late for three dates in a row, she began to have second thoughts. No error
was convinced
however,
marry:
in a row,
No error
marry:
A semicolon, not a colon, is needed to separate the two independent clauses in this sentence. Colons are only used to introduce lists, and the second part of the sentence is not a list; it’s a full sentence in its own right. Therefore, a semicolon is the correct punctuation mark to use between “marry” and “however.”
Example Question #51 : 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.
“I’ve never: seen such a beautiful night, had such a delicious dinner, or danced with such a graceful man,” Lily said. No error
No error.
such a beautiful night,
man,"
dinner, or
never:
never:
Because “I’ve never” isn’t an independent clause (a complete sentence that can stand on its own), the list that follows it should not be separated with a colon or with any other punctuation. You would only use a colon to introduce a list if the part of the sentence before the list was an independent clause.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Colon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It’s been a long, hard winter: everyone in the Alaskan village just wants to see some green grass and feel the sun shining again. No error
shining
No error
winter:
the Alaskan
long,
winter:
Since the first sentence isn’t introducing the second sentence but is rather a separate thought, a colon isn’t the correct punctuation mark to use. Instead, a semicolon should be used to separate these two independent clauses.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Colon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Learning to crochet is a difficult task: since there are many stitches and patterns to keep track of and the yarn often slips off the hook entirely. No error
No error
to keep track of
often slips off the hook entirely.
there
task: since
task: since
The colon that is used in this sentence is extraneous. While the part of the sentence that precedes the colon is an independent clause, the part of the sentence that follows the colon is not; it is a subordinating clause because it is introduced by "since," which is here acting as a subordinating conjunction. Colons are not used to separate independent and subordinating clauses.
Example Question #62 : 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.
Brody: needs to be kinder to his classmates, they are very disappointed in his demeanor. No error
Brody:
No error
classmates, they
disappointed
kinder
Brody:
You may use a colon before a list or an explanation, as long as the preceding clause is able to stand on its own. As such, the colon in the sentence above is incorrect and should be deleted. The colon in the example sentence comes in the middle of a clause, and thus is obviously incorrect.
Example Question #63 : 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.
It has been incredibly rainy in Chicago lately: I'm worried that there might be flooding. No error
No error
It has been incredibly
flooding.
Chicago
lately:
No error
You may use a colon before a list or an explanation, as long as the preceding clause is able to stand on its own (an independent clause, in other words). As such, the sentence above is correct as written. As a rule of thumb, you should not use a colon if you could not put a period in its place, delete everything after it, and still have a full sentence.
Example Question #64 : 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.
Nobody knows if Leon is going to make it to the show tonight: he bought a ticket but hasn't been picking up his phone all afternoon. No error
hasn't been
is going to
tonight:
No error
Nobody knows
tonight:
Punctuation is the issue here. A colon is used to introduce a list, which it does not do here. The appropriate punctuation to use here would be a semicolon, which is used to separate two independent clauses (such as these).
Example Question #65 : 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.
It’s getting late, and we still need to review the proposal if we want: the committee to understand it’s full potential. No error
it’s full potential
No error
late
want:
It’s getting
it’s full potential
In this sentence, the colon is placed after want, in the middle of a clause. Colons should come after an independent clause, never in the middle of a dependent or independent clause.
Example Question #66 : 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.
I’m wondering if: we should introduce the unit on photosynthesis, the chapter on cellular respiration, or the monocot experiment. No error
respiration,
the unit on photosynthesis
No error
if:
monocot
if:
Here, no colon is necessary. Although the sentence is presenting a list, the part preceding the list is not a complete sentence, so the colon should not be used.
Example Question #67 : Identifying Punctuation 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 you behave this badly in class: it reflects poorly on the entire school. NO ERROR
reflects
NO ERROR
entire school.
When you
class:
class:
Colons may be used to separate clauses in sentences, but only where you would also be able to use a period. You cannot use a period in the place of the colon in the sentence above, so that colon is erroneous. The sentence should read, "When you behave this badly in class, it reflects poorly on the entire school."
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