SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
More often than not, we could expect to find Larry with the Davis's family in their new swimming pool. No error.
No error
could expect
the Davis's
More often than not
their
the Davis's
The above sentence's error is "the Davis's," as "Davis" is not a possessive noun in this case and therefore does not need an apostrophe.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Apostrophe 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 girl's swim coach was always at least 30 minutes early for practice; they could always count on her to be ready as soon as they walked in. No error.
at least
girl's
as soon as
practice; they
No error
girl's
The sentence indicates that there is more than one girl on the team by using the word "they;" therefore, "the girl's" needs to be changed to "the girls'" in order to reflect the correct possessive plural form.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Apostrophe 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 teachers made it a point every day to address the childrens' behavior appropriately; they gave rewards to the students who followed expectations and demerits to those who did not. No error.
childrens'
No error
they
those who
who followed expectations
childrens'
The correct possessive form for "children" is always "children's" and never "childrens'."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Scientists have been tracking the Canadian geeses’ migratory patterns for the better part of thirty years, and they have begun to notice some unusual habits. No error.
the better
have been tracking
No error.
geeses'
have begun
geeses'
The plural of goose is “geese,” not “geeses,” so the correct possessive form would be “geese’s.” "The better part of" is a commonly used phrase, and "have been tracking" and "have begun" are both the correct forms of the present perfect.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Everyone at the hospital was complaining bitterly about the new overtime policy; the nurse’s station in particular was a hotbed of dissent. No error.
dissent.
about
nurse's station
No error.
policy;
nurse's station
Because multiple nurses work at the hospital, we need a plural possessive: “nurses’ station” is the correct form. Elsewhere in the sentence, “about” is the correct preposition to use with “complaining,” “dissent” is a word that means strong disagreement, and the semicolon is used correctly to separate two independent clauses.
Example Question #81 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
The fervency of the congregation’s prayers was felt by everyone at the service as Our Father’s rang out left and right. No error.
congregation's
fervency
No error.
Our Father's
as
Our Father's
The correct plural of “Our Father” is “Our Fathers.” No apostrophe is used to form the plural. Because there’s only one congregation at the service, “congregation’s” is the correct possessive.
Example Question #81 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Journalists and animal enthusiasts alike flocked to the wolf's enclosure to gawk at the pack’s newest litter. No error.
gawk at
alike
wolf's
pack's
No error.
wolf's
Because there’s an entire pack of wolves (and some new pups!), the singular possessive “wolf’s enclosure” should actually be “wolves’ enclosure.” “Pack’s” has the correct apostrophe form.
Example Question #81 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
With Phil being so new and inexperienced at the bakery job, the supervisor was constantly forced to check on things like the pastries’ consistency and the loafs’ quality. No error.
loafs'
to check on things like
pastries'
No error.
being
loafs'
The correct plural of loaf is loaves, not loafs, so the possessive should be loaves’, not loafs’.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
I was always reluctant to go over to the Hudson’s house; they never cleaned, and the place usually smelled like old food and unwashed laundry. No error.
house;
was always reluctant
No error.
cleaned,
Hudson's
Hudson's
Because the house belongs to all the Hudsons, the plural possessive is needed. To form the plural possessive, we put the apostrophe after the “s” and make the correct form: “Hudsons’ house.” The semicolon is used correctly here, as it separates two independent clauses. The comma is also used correctly, as it separates two independent clauses that are linked by the conjunction “and.”
Example Question #131 : 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.
All of the teachers were surprised by the childrens' dedication to their dance class routines, and were sure they would all do well on their final performances. No error
childrens'
No error
dance
were sure
all
childrens'
The error in this sentence is that the possessive form of the irregular plural noun "children" is incorrect—it is "children's" rather than "childrens'."
All SAT Writing Resources
