SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #611 : 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.

That universityalong with many other schools, have made efforts to encourage diversity in higher educationNo error

Possible Answers:

in higher education

have made

That university

No error

along with

Correct answer:

have made

Explanation:

In this sentence, the subject ("university") is modified by the parenthetical phrase "along with many other schools." This should not cause you to lose track of the fact that "university" is the single subject of the sentence, and as such the verb phrase must match it in number. Mentally taking out the modifying phrases leaves the subject-predicate "That university have made," which is obviously incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is "have made," which should be changed to "has made."

Example Question #612 : 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.

Each of my friends are going on vacation this summer, but I am staying home to work on my family's farm. No error

Possible Answers:

family's

No error

am staying

summer, but

are

Correct answer:

are

Explanation:

"Are" should be changed to "is" because "each" is a singular noun. Think of "each" as "every one" or "each one" if it helps you to remember that "each" is singular and therefore pairs with "is" instead of "are."

Example Question #613 : 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.

Despite the dilapidated exterior of the restaurant, the quality of the meals are always impressive and the small dining room is always crowded. No error

Possible Answers:

Despite

is always crowded

are

No error

restaurant, the

Correct answer:

are

Explanation:

"Are" should be "is." This might seem tricky, because the word right before it is "meals," which is plural, but what is impressive is not the meals but the "quality" of the meals, which is a singular noun, so it needs the singular "is."

Example Question #614 : 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.

Mt. McKinley, as well as the other peaks in its range, are nearly impossible to climb unless you’re a seasoned climber with years of experience. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

are nearly impossible

seasoned

Mt. McKinley

unless you're

Correct answer:

are nearly impossible

Explanation:

Here’s a subtle error in subject-verb agreement. The subject of this sentence is “Mt. McKinley,” a singular noun, and not “the other peaks.” Therefore, the correct conjugation of the verb “to be” is “is,” not “are.” In other words, “Mt. McKinley . . . is nearly impossible to climb.”

Example Question #615 : 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 book of fairy tales are one of the grandfather's favorite books to read to his grandchildren before they fall asleep at night. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

asleep

are

grandchildren

books

Correct answer:

are

Explanation:

The subject, "the book of fairy tales" is singular, as the phrase refers to a single book. The fact that there are multiple "tales" within the book does not make the subject plural. The corresponding verb in this case should be "is," not "are."

Example Question #616 : 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 teacher did not realize that each one of his twenty students need a green marker for the exam. No error

Possible Answers:

exam.

realize

The

need

No error

Correct answer:

need

Explanation:

The word "need" refers to "each one" of the students. "Each one" is singular, and thus, the form "needs" is appropriate, even though the existence of twenty students may be misleading. "Needed" would be the correct replacement for this sentence.

Example Question #63 : Identifying Subject Verb 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.

"Our choices have led us to this fell point," he said, looking around, "and now we've no choices remained." No error

Possible Answers:

have led

fell

No error

we've

remained

Correct answer:

remained

Explanation:

This sentence includes several tricky word usages, but only one underlined choice is actually incorrect. "Have led" is an entirely legitimate use of the perfect present tense: the choices the speaker has made over time led up to this moment. "Fell" is used here in an unusual adjective form, which means "fierce, cruel, or terrible." "We've" is momentarily tempting, since we're used to seeing "we've" used in perfect tenses, and points to the correct answer because "we've no choices remained" sounds strange. Expanding the contraction, however, clarifies the meaning: restating it as "we have no choices remained" makes it clearer that "remained" should be "remaining."

Example Question #617 : 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.

Many students have trouble learning the order of operations in math, which have led to the creation of many mnemonic devices to help them remember it. No error

Possible Answers:

math, which

many mnemonic devices

have led to

Many students have

No error

Correct answer:

have led to

Explanation:

"Have led" refers to "the order of operations," or more specifically, "order," a singular noun. "Have" is a verb that is used with plural nouns, so it does not agree with the singular "order." To fix the sentence, "have" would need to be changed to "has."

Example Question #64 : Identifying Subject Verb 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.

We have all been taught that dinosaurs is a types of reptile that went extinct a long time ago. No error

Possible Answers:

dinosaurs

No error

is a

have all been

that

Correct answer:

is a

Explanation:

"Dinosaurs" is in its plural form, and needs to be accompanied by a verb also in the plural form. Thus, "is a" contains the sentence's error, and should be changed to "are."

Example Question #63 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors

The bald eagle, a symbol of American freedom and justice, are no longer considered to be threatened.

Possible Answers:

symbol of

and

considered to be

are

No error

Correct answer:

are

Explanation:

The verb “are” does not agree in number with its singular subject “bald eagle.” The corrected sentence reads: The bald eagle, a symbol of American freedom and justice, is no longer considered to be threatened.

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