SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Question #431 : 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.
As the online presence of businesses has expanded at a rapidly pace, so too have the outlets for cyber shopping. No error
No error
for
online
rapidly
too
rapidly
The underlined word, "rapidly," is modifying "pace," which is a noun. Therefore, the underlined word should be the adjective, "rapid," as opposed to the adverb, "rapidly."
Example Question #432 : 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 artist painted slowly and deliberate, trying to capture every detail that she could with her paintbrush. No error
with
deliberate
every
painted
No error
deliberate
In this sentence, the adjective “deliberate” modifies the verb “painted.” Given that only adverbs can modify verbs, "deliberate" should be changed to “deliberately,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #433 : 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 horse ran beautifully and fierce towards the ranch, anxious to see its new foals, which were only a few weeks old. No error
No error
ran
which
its
fierce
fierce
In this sentence, the adjective “fierce” modifies the verb “ran.” Given that adverbs can only modify verbs, the proper word would instead be “fiercely,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #21 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb 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 bird flew cautious over the fence, which the owners had laced with barbed wire. No error
cautious
No error
which
had
barbed
cautious
In this sentence, the adjective “cautious” modifies the verb “flew.” Given that only adverbs can modify verbs, the proper word to use would instead be “cautiously,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #22 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb 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 nurse adjusted the bandages softly and gentle, as she knew the wound beneath them was very tender. No error
beneath
No error
knew
adjusted
gentle
gentle
In this sentence, the adjective “gentle” modifies the verb “adjusted.” Given that adverbs can only modify verbs, the proper word would instead be “gently,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #23 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many people find the appearance of the potoo, a small brown bird, to be extremely amusing due to the large of its round, yellow eyes. No error
round, yellow eyes
large
the potoo, a small brown bird,
to be extremely amusing
No error
large
You can spot this sentence's error by realizing that the adjective "large" needs to be a noun because it is preceded by the definite article "the," which refers to nouns, not adjectives. Changing "large" to "largeness" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #24 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb 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 sorry that I'm running late for dinner," I said to my mother on the phone, "but I'll be home real soon." No error
that
said
No error
real
running
real
The word "real" here is meant to modify the adjective "soon," which means that an adverb is needed. The adverb form of the word "real" is "really," so the sentence should say, "I'm sorry that I'm running late for dinner," I said to my mother on the phone, "but I'll be home really soon." People might use the word "real" as an adverb during everyday conversation, but that slang form is grammatically incorrect.
Example Question #25 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Though the dog had been washed by the petsitter just yesterday, he continued to smell badly. No error
No error
smell badly
yesterday,
had been
continued to
smell badly
This sentence's error is that it uses an adverb in the place of an adjective. "Badly," as an adverb, is referencing not the quality of the dog's odor, but its poor ability to smell.
Example Question #26 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Sarah, Emilie, and Jenn competed against one another in the four hundred meter hurdle event, and they both scored similarly. No error
one another
similarly
event, and
No error
both
both
This sentence has three subjects: "Sarah," "Emilie," and "Jenn." Because of this, the sentence requires a form of the word "both" that is used to refer to groups of three or more. "Both" would be correct if only two of the girls were racing. However, since all three are racing, we need to use the adverb "all" instead of "both." The corrected sentence would read "Sarah, Emilie, and Jenn competed against one another in the four hundred meter hurdle event, and they all scored similarly."
Example Question #27 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many popular books and movies are inspired by folktales that were original passed down orally from generation to generation. No error
inspired by
that were
No error
from generation to generation
original
original
The word "original" is an adjective and should modify a noun. Here, it modifies the verb "passed". An adverb would be correct: "Many popular books and movies are inspired by folktales that were originally passed down orally from generation to generation."
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