SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #831 : 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.
Staring out the window, the lengthy car ride to Nebraska seemed to take forever. No error
lengthy
No error
to
take forever
Staring out the window
Staring out the window
The error in this sentence is the dangling modifier: "Staring out the window." A dangling modifier is one that is left without a noun to modify (or without one that it would make sense to modify). Since a car ride can't stare out a window, "staring out the window" does not have a logical noun to modify and is therefore a dangling modifier. A corrected sentence might look like this: "As Mia stared out the window, the lengthy car ride to Nebraska seemed to last forever" or "Staring out the window, Mia lamented that the lengthy car ride to Nebraska seemed to take forever."
Example Question #832 : 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.
Looking at it from above, the city seemed much smaller than George would have thought. No error
above
would
No error
than
the city
the city
The sentence above contains a dangling modifier. Since it is George who is "looking at it from above" in the first clause, George must be the subject of the second clause, not "the city."
Example Question #833 : 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.
Taking deep breaths, enough composure was regained by the pianist to finish the concert. No error
the pianist
enough composure was regained
to finish
the concert.
No error
enough composure was regained
This sentence contains a dangling modifier. As it is written, it seems as though “enough composure” was taking the deep breaths. In order to correct this mistake, “the pianist” must be listed first after the comma to make it clear that he is the subject of the sentence as the one taking the deep breaths. Correctly re-phrased this sentence would read, "Taking deep breaths, the pianist regained enough composure to finish the concert."
Example Question #834 : 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.
When I passed the shop window, I saw a silver woman’s locket that would be perfect for my aunt’s birthday. No error
passed
window,
would be
No error
silver woman’s locket
silver woman’s locket
Here, the word “silver” is a misplaced modifier. It’s the locket that’s silver, not the woman, so the correct wording would be a “woman’s silver locket.”
Example Question #835 : 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.
I’m looking for the torn biology teacher’s manual so I can replace it with a new one. No error
manual
torn
so
No error
a new
torn
It’s not the biology teacher who’s torn; it’s the manual. Therefore, “torn” is a misplaced modifier and should be moved directly next to the phrase it modifies.
Example Question #836 : 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.
We can’t give juice to any of the children in glass bottles; someone might drop one and break it. No error
any
in glass bottles
someone
No error
one
in glass bottles
The "children" aren’t in glass bottles; the "juice" is. Therefore, “in glass bottles” is a misplaced modifier and should be moved next to the noun it modifies.
Example Question #837 : 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 niece Tara wore her favorite blue dress to the homecoming dance, which unfortunately didn’t match her green shoes. No error
dance,
No error
favorite blue
which unfortunately didn’t match her green shoes.
niece
which unfortunately didn’t match her green shoes.
“Which unfortunately didn’t match her green shoes” is a misplaced modifier, since it describes not the dance but the dress. It is incorrectly placed in the sentence.
Example Question #838 : 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.
Ryan was elated to find the diamond men's chain on the street, but decided it would be more prudent to find out whom it belonged to than to keep it himself. No error
than to
No error
whom
diamond men's chain
was elated
diamond men's chain
The word "diamond" in the phrase "diamond men's chain" is a misplaced modifier. In its current placement in the sentence, "diamond" looks to be modifying "men's" instead of properly modifying chain. To fix it, we would move the modifier so that the phrase becomes "men's diamond chain."
Example Question #839 : 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.
Hansel and Gretel were lured into going into the candy witch's house, which was made of gingerbread and various kinds of sweets; because of their hunger, they were not aware of the trap the witch had set until it was nearly too late. No error
were not aware
candy witch's house
were lured
nearly too late
No error
candy witch's house
The phrase "candy witch's house" is incorrect because it is the house that is made of candy, not the witch. Therefore, we must move the modifier "candy" in the phrase to correctly refer to "house" - "witch's candy house."
Example Question #840 : 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.
We couldn't believe how many ingredients Kelly was able to fit into that chicken giant burrito, and we immediately knew we couldn't finish it in one meal. No error
chicken giant burrito
was able
No error
couldn't believe
immediately
chicken giant burrito
In the phrase "chicken giant burrito," it appears that "chicken" is improperly modifying "giant." The phrase "giant chicken burrito" corrects this misplaced modifier error.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
