SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #112 : Identifying Pronoun 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 animosity between Bob and I quickly disappeared after we talked to each other during break. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

Bob and I

between

after

we talked

Correct answer:

Bob and I

Explanation:

The preposition, in this case "between," must be followed by an indirect object pronoun, not the direct object pronoun "I." The correct version of this sentence would read: "The animosity between Bob and me..."

A quick test for pronoun case is to invert the order; one would never say "the animosity between I and Bob..."

Example Question #21 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

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

The boomerang, which we launched at precisely the right angle, soared around the field and made a loop right back to Tony and INo error

Possible Answers:

which

No error

angle,

field and

Tony and I

Correct answer:

Tony and I

Explanation:

The pronoun should be in objective case because it is the object of the preposition "to." "I" is in subjective case and should be switched to "me."

You can simplify the Noun Phrase to make this less complicated. "To I" wouldn't be correct, so extend that - "To Tony and I" shouldn't be correct, either. "To me" sounds good, as does "To Tony and me."

Example Question #22 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

Whenever Suzie goes to visit her grandparents in the nursing home, her grandmother reminds her, "Speak up when you are talking to your grandfather or I!" No error

Possible Answers:

No error

Whenever

or I

grandparents

reminds her,

Correct answer:

or I

Explanation:

This sentence has an error in pronoun case. Pronouns are words that substitute for nouns and case describes the pronoun's role in a sentence. "Me" and "I" are both pronouns but they have different cases: "me" is used as the object in a sentence and "I" is used as the subject. In this sentence, "your grandfather and ___" is the object of the verb "talking," so "me" should be used instead of "I." A corrected sentence reads, "Whenever Suzie goes to visit her grandparents in the nursing home, her grandmother reminds her, 'Speak up when you are talking to your grandfather or me!'" 

Example Question #23 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

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

Marlene loves to go on long walks along the beach; her is definitely your type. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

Marlene loves 

beach;

her

definitely your type.

Correct answer:

her

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "her" in the second part of the sentence should be "she" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than an object. The best way to correct the sentence above is:

"Marlene loves to go on long walks along the beach; she is definitely your type."

Example Question #24 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

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

"The people of this valley don't take kindly to strangers," said the Mayor. "Us folks like to keep to ourselves." No error

Possible Answers:

No error

said the Mayor.

ourselves."

"Us folks

"The people

Correct answer:

"Us folks

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "us" in the second quotation of the sentence should be "we" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is:

'"The people of this valley don't take kindly to strangers," said the Mayor. "We folks like to keep to ourselves."'

Example Question #25 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

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

That dog was a noble beast; she was extremely loyal to my brother and I. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

beast;

and I.

That dog was

loyal to my

Correct answer:

and I.

Explanation:

The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "I" in the second part of the sentence should be "me" as the pronoun is the object of that clause, rather than its subject. The best way to correct the sentence above is:

"That dog was a noble beast; she was extremely loyal to my brother and me."

Example Question #26 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

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

While it continues to be popular among motorists, SUVs are gradually being replaced by smaller, more efficient cars. No error

Possible Answers:

being replaced 

are

No error

While it continues 

smaller

Correct answer:

While it continues 

Explanation:

"SUVs," the subject of this sentence, is the plural form of SUV. Since we are dealing with a plural, it is incorrect to use the singular pronoun “it” at the beginning of the sentence. Rather, the plural form of the pronoun “they” must be used instead so that the sentence begins, “While they continue.” 

Example Question #131 : 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 noise from the fighter jets that flew directly above John and I was deafening. No error

Possible Answers:

that flew

was

John and I

above

No error

Correct answer:

John and I

Explanation:

"John and I" is incorrect because this first person pronoun needs to be in objective case, "me." It is the object of the preposition "above" and is not the subject of the sentence; therefore, the objective case "John and me" is correct over subjective case "I."

Example Question #120 : Identifying Pronoun Errors

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

There was a new person whom I had never seen before standing between my sister and I in the line. No error 

Possible Answers:

and I

whom

No error

There was

standing

Correct answer:

and I

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong case of pronoun. As an object, the first person pronoun should always be “me.” The corrected sentence reads, "There was a new person who I had never seen before standing between my sister and me in the line."

Example Question #27 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case

The grizzly bear, a species well-known for their aggressive behavior, has a bite so strong it could crush a bowling ball.

Possible Answers:

No error

so strong

their

has

well-known for 

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

In this sentence, the pronoun “their” does not agree in number with its antecedent “the grizzly bear.” The corrected sentence reads: The grizzly bear, a species well-known for its aggressive behavior, has a bite so strong it could crush a bowling ball.

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