SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #18 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

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.

I really love cooking; and baking in the afternoon. No error

Possible Answers:

;

afternoon.

really

No error

baking

Correct answer:

;

Explanation:

Semicolons are predominantly used to separate two independent clauses. In the sentence above, the semicolon is incorrect because it is not separating two such clauses. Semicolons should never be placed in the middle of a clause.

Example Question #72 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The milk wasn't past its listed expiration date; but we threw it out anyway because of a funky odor emanating from the box. No error

Possible Answers:

date; but

threw

past

its

No error

Correct answer:

date; but

Explanation:

A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses (grammatically complete clauses that could stand on their own as sentences). The second half of this sentence, after the semicolon, is a subordinate and dependent clause (it could not be a legitimate sentence on its own), thus a semicolon is inappropriate here. A comma would be the appropriate choice. "Its" is the correct possessive. The sentence is in the correct tense.

Example Question #73 : 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.

Franklin; one of the strongest people I know, can lift extremely heavy weights. No error

Possible Answers:

extremely

strongest

Franklin;

know,

No error

Correct answer:

Franklin;

Explanation:

Semicolons are almost exclusively used to separate two indepenedent clauses, or clauses which may stand as a sentence on their own. As such, the best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the semicolon following the word "Franklin" and replace it with a comma. Note that semicolons are never used to punctuate interrupting phrases, which require a comma on either end.

Example Question #21 : Identifying Punctuation Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Paul was very frustrated by the lack of progress; Mark was also annoyed. No error

Possible Answers:

annoyed.

No error

progress; Mark

frustrated

Paul was

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

Semicolons may be used to separate two independent clauses, or clauses which may stand as a sentence on their own. The other two ways to punctuate independent clauses are with a period or a coordinating conjunction and a comma.

In this sentence the semicolon correctly separates the two independent clauses. The verb tenses are consistent and correct for the situation. As such, the sentence above is correct as it is written.

Example Question #22 : Identifying Punctuation Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

"Oh boy;" exclaimed the child"I wonder what will happen now?" No error

Possible Answers:

child

No error

"Oh boy;"

"I wonder

now?"

Correct answer:

"Oh boy;"

Explanation:

Semicolons are primarily used to separate independent clauses. It is always incorrect to use a semicolon to separate a dependent clause, interrupting, or introductory clause. The example sentence could be fixed by replacing the semicolon with a comma.

Example Question #23 : Identifying Punctuation 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 man wore a long, black coat; he looked quite ominous in the moonlight. No error 

Possible Answers:

The man

No error

moonlight.

ominous

black coat;

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

Semicolons are primarily used to separate independent clauses. The semicolon in the example sentence is used correctly, and there are no other errors. The sentence is correct as written.

Example Question #24 : Identifying Punctuation Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Even though he already finished his homework; Bob studied for another hour to prepare for his upcoming test. No error

Possible Answers:

Even though

No error

upcoming test

homework; Bob

to prepare

Correct answer:

homework; Bob

Explanation:

A semicolon is not appropriate here because semicolons can only be used to separate two complete, but related sentences. To separate a dependent clause (in this case a dependent introductory clause) from a main clause a comma is needed.

Example Question #25 : Identifying Punctuation Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Joanna, repulsed, turned down the offer to eat ostrich meat; she had grown out of her vegetarianism, but this was a bit too extreme for her. No error

Possible Answers:

too

Joanna, repulsed, 

had grown

No error

meat;

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

There is no error here. The semicolon appropriately separates two independent clauses (grammatically complete sentences that could stand on their own). The commas around the adjective "repulsed" are appropriate as well. "Too" is the correct spelling, and "had grown" is the appropriate tense to use given the past tense already established by the main verb "turned down."

Example Question #26 : Identifying Punctuation Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error.

Due to the unresponsiveness of the school board and its inability to make decisions in a speedy manner; Sarah's mother decided to take action on her own. No error

Possible Answers:

speedy

her

manner;

No error

its

Correct answer:

manner;

Explanation:

This question requires knowledge of when to use semicolons. Semicolons are used to link two independent clauses together, i.e. two thoughts that could be seperate sentences but have closely linked ideas. In this case, "Due to the unresponsiveness of the school board and its inability to make decisions in a speedy manner" is a sentence fragment and could not stand on its own—it is not a complete thought without including the information in the second half of the sentence. A revised sentence would look like this: "Due to the unresponsiveness of the school board and its inability to make decisions in a speedy manner, Sarah's mother decided to take action on her own."

Example Question #27 : Identifying Punctuation 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 man walked into the store; bought his groceries, and went back home. NO ERROR

Possible Answers:

NO ERROR

back home.

The man

groceries,

store; bought

Correct answer:

store; bought

Explanation:

Introductory or interrupting phrases, i.e. phrases that are subordinate and add information to a sentence but are not necessary to the sentence being complete, must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Using a semi-colon for such a purpose is erroenous. In the sentence above "store; bought" should read "store, bought."

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