SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #601 : 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 days immediately following the treatment has always been the most difficult, but the discomfort will improve soon. No error
No error
difficult,
has always been
but
immediately following
has always been
In this sentence the verb “has always been” does not agree in number with the plural subject “days.” The corrected sentence would read: The days immediately following the treatment have always been the most difficult, but the discomfort will improve soon.
Example Question #602 : 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 children of the lady who brought us a cake yesterday is coming over to play tomorrow. No error
tomorrow
who
No error
is
children of
is
In this sentence, the verb does not match the plural subject. The corrected sentence reads, "The children of the lady who brought us a cake yesterday are coming over to play tomorrow."
Example Question #603 : 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.
To the dismay of the audience, neither the prime minister nor any of his aides were able to attend the banquet. No error.
any
No error
were
neither
To
were
The subject neither is singular, while the verb were is plural. Were should be was.
Example Question #604 : 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.
He wanted to lay down and take a nice nap, but there were work to be done. No error
were
No error
but
and take
wanted to
were
The verb “were” should match its subject “work.” The corrected sentence reads, "He wanted to lay down and take a nice nap, but there was work to be done."
Example Question #605 : 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.
My three cars, which are blue, is faster than those of my friend Bob. No error
those of
No error
are
is
which
is
The subject "cars" is plural, so you must use "are" and not "is."
Example Question #63 : Identifying Agreement 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 stalemate between the Democrats and Republicans in Washington D.C. have caused many Americans to become disillusioned with their federal government. No error
No error
caused
between
their
have
have
While "Democrats and Republicans" would agree with the verb "have," the actual subject of the sentence is "stalemate," a singular noun, which does not agree with the verb "have" in number. Because the subject "stalemate" is singular, the verb must be singular as well. So, "have" should be changed to "has."
Example Question #606 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When it comes to me working out, I prefer to do so in the morning, when the gym is busier. No error
Me
do so
busier
prefer
No error
Me
"Me" should be "my." The gerund, "working out" should have its subject in the possessive case. "Me" is in the objective case.
Example Question #607 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The tennis courts, which are made of clay and often wet after a bad storm, is my least favorite place to play sports. No error
place
is
No error
which
often wet
is
This question separates the subject and verb with a complicated clause. Pay attention to whether the subject and verb agree. "Is" should be "are."
Example Question #608 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When Mary was cleaning her house, she discovered that hidden behind the bookshelf were a pile books. No error
were
was
discovered
hidden
No error
were
This sentence puts the subject after the verb. "Pile" is singular and "were" should be "was."
Example Question #609 : 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 committee reviewing the programs offered by the center that the quality of the baking classes were generally subpar. No error
were generally subpar
offered
reviewing
decided that
No error
were generally subpar
In "were generally subpar," the verb "were" is used with plural subjects, so it does not correlate with the singular subject of the sentence, "quality." This is a tricky question, as some students might think that "baking classes" is the subject; however, "baking classes" appears in a prepositional phrase, so "baking classes" cannot be the subject, and "quality" is in fact the subject of the sentence.
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