SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #30 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent 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.
Lucius Sulla was a particularly effective general; he was very good at making soldiers listen to them. No error
was
them
he
No error
particularly
them
In this sentence, it is obvious that the author's intent is to convey the fact that Sulla was good at making soldiers listen to him. As such, the final "them" of the sentence as written should be replaced with the pronoun "him", which corresponds correctly with Lucius Sulla (who is one, singular person).
Example Question #31 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Everyone has their fair share of troubles, and some suffer mightily for them. No error
Everyone
suffer
their
of
No error
their
The noun "everyone" is a third person, singular noun. Therefore, the correct pronoun to use in conjunction with "everyone" is "his" or "her." While the "troubles" are plural this have no bearing on the pronoun agreement which precedes them.
The full correct version of this sentence would read: "Everyone has his or her fair share of troubles, and some suffer mightily for them."
Example Question #32 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The wild men became violent; in such a large group they were practically uncontrollable. No error
they
violent;
wild
became
No error
No error
There is no error in the sentence above, it is correct as written. Note that "wild men" is plural, and so is its corresponding pronoun, "they." While the sentence features two independent clauses, these clauses are correctly connected with a semi-colon.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The table managed to stand upright, even though it only had three of his legs left. No error
managed
his
upright
though
No error
his
In this sentence "the table" is the object, and as such it should correspond with the pronoun near the end of the sentence. Because a table is a genderless object, it is inappropriate to use a gendered pronoun (his) in conjunction with it: its is superior in this case.
Example Question #34 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent 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 admissions committee benefited from their decision to accept him, as he proved to be an industrious student. No error
benefited from
industrious
as
No error
their
their
An admissions committee is a thing or a body, so its possessive adjective would be “its.” If the sentence read, “The members of the admissions committee,” “their” would be correct.
Example Question #35 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent 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.
Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own home, but that isn't always the case, unfortunately. No error
isn't always
their
case, unfortunately.
home, but
No error
their
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "everyone" does not match up correctly with "their." The part of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "their," which should be replaced with "his or her"
Example Question #36 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent 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.
No one should ever be held accountable for something that they didn't do, but it is still important to pursue justice at all times. No error
No error
justice at all times.
ever be held
they didn't
but it is
they didn't
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "no one" does not match up correctly with "their." The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "they didn't."
Example Question #37 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent 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.
Somebody will have to pay for the damage that they caused to the auditorium; the school can't afford to fix it without help. No error
will have to
No error
they
auditorium;
can't afford
they
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "somebody" does not match up correctly with "they." The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "they."
Example Question #38 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent 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.
Everyone has a right to one's opinion, but that doesn't mean that the truth should ever be ignored. No error
No error
one's opinion,
has a
the truth should
doesn't mean
one's opinion,
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "everyone" does not match up correctly with "one's" The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "one's opinion," which should be replaced with "his or her opinion," since everyone, while being inclusive, individualizes the multiple subjects.
Example Question #651 : 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.
Bob's story was not only more interesting than John, but it was more realistic. No error
John
No error
more
was
it
John
This is an illogical comparison. To be grammatically correct, the sentence needs to say "John's story" or "that of John's" instead of just "John."
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
