SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #5 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As the substitute teacher wrote the homework assignment on the board, the last bell began to ring as well. No error
No error
as well
wrote
on
board, the last bell
as well
Since the use of "as" in the introductory clause already establishes that another action is happening at the same time, the "as well" is redundant and should be omitted.
Example Question #2891 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Darren spent most of the day sulking alone in his room, but however he came out once to eat dinner with his parents. No error
No error
most of the day
spent
to eat
but however
but however
Using both "but" and "however" is redundant; there is no need for both of those conjunctions here. Only one is necessary (and, for what it's worth, "but" would sound better in this sentence).
Example Question #2892 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error.
In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp counselors also gave them dessert and played educational games with them. No error
played
them
the children, the
No error
also
also
The error in this sentence is redundancy, which is basically saying more than you need to. Since the beginning of the sentence already established that the counselors were going to provide something else besides lunch ("in addition"), saying "also" later is redundant. The solution for redundancy is almost always just cutting something out so the revised sentence would read "In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp counselors gave them dessert and played educational games with them."
Example Question #243 : Identifying Word Usage 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 small children on the plane found that there ears were in extreme pain due to its rapid descent from a high altitude. No error
in extreme
on
there
No error
its
there
“There” is an adverb that means a specified place, while "their" is the possessive form of the pronoun "they." So, “their” should be used in this sentence in order to show possession, and "there" is the part of the sentence that contains the error.
Example Question #432 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The grandmother was very proud for her daughter, who had just won a very competitive statewide cross-country race. No error
No error
who
statewide
for
was
for
Idiomatically, when the word "proud" is used, it may be accompanied by the preposition “of,” but not “for.” Therefore, the phrase “proud for” should actually be “proud of," and "for" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.
Example Question #433 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If under a lot of stress, your much more likely to make mistakes that you otherwise would not make if operating under normal circumstances. No error
under
No error
operating under
otherwise
your
your
“Your” is the possessive form of the pronoun "you," which doesn't make sense in the sentence. The word “you’re,” the contracted form of “you are," should be used instead.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My cousin insists on eating hole wheat bread because it is supposed to contain more fiber than the white bread that the rest of our family eats. No error
on
it is
hole
than
No error
hole
The "whole" in "whole wheat" refers to the use of whole grains. "Hole" is a noun, and conveys a physical hole. In this context, the underlined word should be spelled "whole," not "hole."
Example Question #251 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Like a mussel, patience can be strengthened with exercise, time, practice, and persistence. No error
with
mussel
No error
and
can be
mussel
A "mussel" is a type of shellfish and is not appropriate for this sentence. The word that the sentence needs to use is "muscle."
Example Question #432 : Psat Writing Skills
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 the teacher told the student, "You have to remove you're shoes," the advice made no impact. No error
student,
made
you're
though
No error
you're
The underlined word, "you're" should be "your," as it is reflecting the student's possession of his or her shoes. "You're" is used when intending to communicate "you are," which would not be appropriate for this sentence.
Example Question #252 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It doesn’t matter weather it is rainy or sunny tomorrow, because the volleyball team is sure to hold practice. No error
No error
weather
or
because
sure to
weather
When describing two possibilities, the appropriate word is “whether,” not “weather,” which refers to the climate.
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