SAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #24 : 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.
“Whose book is this?” she asked inquisitively, flipping through the novel’s tattered pages and hoping to find it’s owner’s initials. No error
No error
it's
inquisitively
to
Whose
it's
You must understand the distinction between the homonyms "its" and "it's" to correctly answer this question. "It's" is a contraction of "it" and "is" and is used in sentences like "It's too early to go to sleep." "Its," on the other hand, is a possessive pronoun, identifying something that belongs to "it." "Its" is used in sentences like "The cat played with its toy." So, to correct this sentence's error, "it's" needs to be changed to "its."
Example Question #382 : 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.
Joshua studied all the subjects in his biology book to prepare for the final exam except for mitochondria, that unfortunately were the subject of an important essay on the test. No error
to
of
No error
that
all the
that
"Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the subject being modified is “mitochondria,” and is followed by a comma. Therefore, the word modifying that subject should be “which.”
Example Question #383 : 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 young terrier got along very well with a kitten which was very small and skittish around most other animals. No error
most other
which
No error
got along
and
which
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which a comma does not follow the subject being modified. Here, the subject being modified is “kitten,” but there is no comma after it. Therefore, “that” is appropriate, not “which.”
Example Question #27 : 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.
The key to writing a good essay is preparation and forethought, that is something that is challenging to many students. No error
challenging
key to
and
No error
that
that
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the first part of the sentence preceding the comma is the part that is being modified. Therefore, "which" should be used instead of "that."
Example Question #461 : 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 doctor told his patient that he felt that there was an excess of nurses in the office, that was causing some crowding. No error
that
in
said to
No error
there
that
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the part of the sentence before the comma is being modified by the part of the sentence after the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #384 : 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.
Geese are animals who are known for their loyalty; a male goose will never abandon its partner, even under the most extreme circumstances. No error
its
No error
their
loyalty; a male goose
who
who
“Who” should be replaced by “that” because geese are not human, and the pronoun "who" is only used to refer to humans.
Example Question #463 : 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 library had a number of fantasy novels, it did not have the one which Bill was looking for. No error
No error
had
Even though
which
it
which
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which a comma does not follow the subject being modified. Here, "which" is not preceded by a comma, so "that" is the more appropriate choice.
Example Question #464 : 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 chef was frustrated to see that his assistants had not replaced the saffron, that is a very expensive spice. No error
had not
was
very
that
No error
that
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, “saffron” is being modified by the part of the sentence after the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #465 : 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.
Jared was very happy when his parents said that they enjoyed the independent film, that Bill had helped to produce. No error
that
was
they
when
No error
that
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, “independent film” is being modified by the part of the sentence that follows the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #31 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Identifying sentence errors. Identify any error you find in an underlined portion of the passage. If you can find no errors, select "no error" as your answer choice.
The state of California, that is large, has millions of residents. No error
residents
that
No error
has millions
state of
that
Instead of "that," in this sentence the word "which" would be appropriate, since this is a non-restrictive relative clause. A non-restrictive relative clause has a noun that is already fully identified, but then adds additional information. Here, we already know that we're discussing the state of California, so its largeness is non-restrictive. "That" only works in restrictive clauses, i.e. those that refer to the noun, and which are never set off by commas.
All SAT Writing Resources
