SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #2671 : Sat Writing

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

Susan, a fabulous salsa dancer, is also a brilliant data analystNo error

Possible Answers:

brilliant

No error

analyst

a fabulous salsa dancer

is

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence contains no grammatical errors and needs to stylistic adjustments made to it.

Example Question #871 : 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.

Unfortunately, the organization suffered from poor governance at the national levelNo error

Possible Answers:

Unfortunately

No error

suffered from

poor

the national level

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence is correct as written. "Unfortunately" is an adverb modifying the sentence as a whole, "suffered from" uses the correct tense and preposition, "poor" is an adjective modifying a noun, and "the national level" is a correctly formed noun phrase.

Example Question #2672 : Sat Writing

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

Because of severe drought in the western half of the country, produce prices skyrocketedNo error

Possible Answers:

Because of

skyrocketed

No error

severe

western half

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence is correct as written! It's okay to start a sentence with "because" if you have a main clause after, "severe" is an adjective modifying a noun, "western half" is formatted correctly (no capitalization!), and "skyrocketed" is a verb in the correct tense.

Example Question #2673 : Sat Writing

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

Never one to turn down a challenge, Pablo decided that he was going to revolutionize the classic canvas tote bag. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

turn down

was going to revolutionize

that

one

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence is correct as written! "One" is the appropriate pronoun, "turn down" is a verb in the correct tense, "that" is the correct relative pronoun, and "was going to revolutionize" is a correctly formed verb phrase.

Example Question #28 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors

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

Since he arrived in Minnesota two weeks ago, my uncle Ted has gone fishing at least ten times. No error

Possible Answers:

has gone fishing

arrived in

two weeks ago

my

No error

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence is correct as written. “Arrived in” is a conventional combination of verb and preposition, “two weeks ago” is a correctly formed adverbial phrase, “my” is a pronoun used correctly, and “has gone fishing” is in the appropriate tense.

Example Question #2674 : Sat Writing

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

Covered in tapestries, paintings, and maps, the cozy library looked like it held a million secrets. No error

Possible Answers:

it

cozy

looked

Covered in

No error

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

Nothing in this sentence needs to be changed!

Example Question #2675 : Sat Writing

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 rather run an entire marathon than spend one more day sitting at that table nibbling crumpets. No error

Possible Answers:

than spend one more day

No error

that

entire

nibbling

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence is correct as written. “Entire” is an adjective that modifies a noun, “than spend one more day” is a logical comparison, “that” is a demonstrative pronoun used correctly, and “nibbling” is a present progressive verb that describes a concurrent action.

Example Question #32 : Identifying No Errors Or Other Errors

The author was a master at writing science fiction that transported his readers to another dimension.

Possible Answers:

that transports his readers to another dimension.

that transporting his readers to another dimension.

transported his readers to another dimension.

transporting his readers to another dimension.

that transported his readers to another dimension.

Correct answer:

that transported his readers to another dimension.

Explanation:

The sentence is correct as is. The use of "was" indicates the second verb, in the underlined portion, also needs to be in the past tense. Additionally, "that" is needed to refer back to the author's writing.

Example Question #872 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Choose the best answer from the options given.

The reason Mary and Kelly got into a fight was not their personalities but instead their shared love interest.

Possible Answers:

as it was sharing love interest

but instead their shared love interest

than because of their shared love interest

but rather their shared love interest

than their shared love interest

Correct answer:

but instead their shared love interest

Explanation:

The original sentence is most concise and effective.

Example Question #2676 : Sat Writing

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

A salon, or a social gathering of important intellectuals and artists, is not to be confused with a Wild West saloon. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

with

is not to be

salon, or

intellectuals and artists,

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence is correct as written.

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