SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Question #701 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may contain no error at all.
Nikki and Reena hope to become the world's most famous dancer some day. No error
No error
dancer
most
hope
world's
dancer
Since there are two people in the sentence, they cannot become one single dancer. Since "Nikki and Reena" are connected with "and," and are not separated into individual grammatical units by another conjunction the word "dancer" must be changed to "dancers" so that both nouns agree.
Example Question #702 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may contain no error at all.
When a manager is sick, they should call Lisa in the Human Resources Department. No error
is sick
manager
they
No error
in
they
Since the subject, "manager," is singular, the pronoun should be he or she, not they. "They" refers to a subject that is plural. The noun and pronoun in the sentence do not agree.
Example Question #703 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may contain no error at all.
Each individual has their right to the freedom of speech and expression according to the Constitution. No error
their
Each
No error
freedom
according to
their
Since the subject of the sentence is "each individual," the pronoun should be "his or her." "Their" refers to a large group, not individuals within that group, thus the noun and pronoun do not agree.
Example Question #704 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may contain no error at all.
Every time a medical student has the opportunity to treat a patient, their self esteem and confidence levels increase. No error
treat
medical student
No error
their
opportunity
their
The subject of the sentence is "student," which is singular; however the pronoun is "their", which is plural. "Their" should be replaced with "his or her" so that it agrees with the singular noun.
Example Question #705 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may contain no error at all.
A geese has a long neck and is considered to be a wild animal. No error
No error
to be
is considered
a long
geese
geese
Geese is the plural form of goose. The word "geese" should be replaced by "goose". This is because the rest of the sentence is in singular form, particularly words such as neck and animal. Also, because the singular article "a" is used, this also necessitates the singular form "goose."
Example Question #706 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may contain no error at all.
All of Kevin's tarantulas laid its eggs on Monday. No error
tarantulas
on
its
of
No error
its
There are multiple tarantulas described in the sentence since the word "all" is used. Therefore, the sentence should read All of Kevin's tarantulas laid "their" eggs on Monday. "Its" is incorrect because it is referring to a single tarantula.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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 library normally only allows patrons to check out three books at a time, and when I explained that I needed to check out more than that because I was working on a term paper, they allowed me to do so. No error
they allowed me to do so
time, and
My library normally only allows
when I explained that I needed to check out more than that
No error
time, and
This sentence's error is one that has to do with the logic of conjunctions. The conjunction "and" is used to join two sentences that do not contradict each other. This is not the case with these two sentences: based on the first sentence, you would think that the speaker would only be allowed to check out three books, but this is not the case. So, "and" is not the correct conjunction to use; changing "and" to "but" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction 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 would bake more cookies, and every time I do, my oven burns them. No error
every time I do, my oven
them
No error
and
would
and
This sentence begins with "I would bake more cookies" but then the speaker gives a reason why he or she does not bake more cookies, "every time [he or she] tries to bake cookies, [his or her] oven burns them." So, "and" is not the correct conjunction to use in this sentence. A conjunction like "but" is needed to contrast the two parts of the sentence and convey why the speaker does not bake more cookies even though he or she "would."
Example Question #33 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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.
Jonathan was a devoted fan of music of almost any kind, and he just could not tolerate reggae. No error
and
almost any
devoted
No error
could not tolerate
and
This sentence is not coordinated correctly. Logically, the second half contradicts the message of the first, so the conjunction “but” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads: Jonathan was a devoted fan of music of almost any kind, but he just could not tolerate reggae.
Example Question #34 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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.
Only six students attended the football game on Saturday, and many students went instead to the school dance. No error
on
to
No error
attended
and
and
This sentence contains an error in the logical expression of ideas. The original text uses the conjunction "and," which fails to capture the cause and effect relationship between low attendance at the football game and students going to the dance instead. A better conjunction to express the cause and effect relationship would be "because."
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