SAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : 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 cat, that has orange and white stripes, enjoys consuming food made for human beings, like bread and noodles. No error

Possible Answers:

consuming

that

has

like

No error

Correct answer:

that

Explanation:

In this sentence, "that" should be replaced with "which" because the phrase it introduces ("has orange and white stripes") is non-essential—that is, the phrase can be removed from the sentence without altering its meaning. "That" should be used with essential words or phrases, meaning that such phrases must be in the sentence for a reader's to understand it properly. An example of an essential phrase would be "The painting that the thief stole last night is still missing." To say "The painting is still missing" would leave out essential information - that it's missing because a thief stole it last night.

Example Question #33 : 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 house on the corner near the evergreens has a gabled roof, that has always appealed to AnnaNo error

Possible Answers:

that

to Anna

near the evergreens

has

No error

Correct answer:

that

Explanation:

Information that is added in a phrase that follows a comma should begin with "which," not "that." "That" is used at the start of a phrase not preceded by a comma that, if removed from a sentence, causes the sentence to not make sense. "Which," on the other hand, is used to begin a phrase that is set apart from the sentence by a comma and can be removed from the sentence without causing it to not make sense. IN this case, "that" should be changed to "which," since omitting the comma is not an option.

Example Question #391 : 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.

They were very excited because they had baked their friend a triple layer chocolate cake which they knew he was going to loveNo error

Possible Answers:

which

No error

had baked

was going to love

very excited

Correct answer:

which

Explanation:

Use “which” for added information after a comma. “That” is for cases like this, where the information is an important part of the sentence and there is no comma. The corrected sentence reads, "They were very excited because they had baked their friend a triple layer chocolate cake that they knew he was going to love."

Example Question #34 : 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.

Maria's favorite cupcake was the one which was topped with coconut frosting and had papaya wedges in the middleNo error

Possible Answers:

in the middle

which

No error

and papaya

was

Correct answer:

which

Explanation:

“Which” is used to signal modification to a phrase when the modifying dependent clause comes after a comma. “That” is used to signal modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the subject being modified ("one" in reference to the cupcake) does not have a comma after it. Therefore, “that” is appropriate, not “which.”

Example Question #37 : 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.

I knew all of the information except for the material on the Civil War, that of course was the focus of the exam. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

that

was

on 

except for

Correct answer:

that

Explanation:

This sentence confuses the words “that” and “which.” "That" is used to begin restrictive clauses—clauses that provide necessary information about the sentence's subject and are not set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. (An example of this would be, "The kitten that had a spot on its nose was Marlene's favorite.") "Which" is used to begin nonrestrictive clauses—clauses that are introduced by commas and provide extra information that could be omitted from the sentence without significantly altering its meaning. (An example would be "The kitten, which had a spot on its nose, slept peacefully.")

In the given sentence, the information "that of course was the focus of the exam" follows a comma, signaling that it is a nonrestrictive clause and should begin with "which," not "that." You could correct the sentence by changing "that" to "which," making it, "I knew all of the information except for the material on the Civil War, which of course was the focus of the exam."

Example Question #471 : 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.

I never admitted it to my daughter, but I lost the little sock puppet which traveled with us throughout Europe, posing in front of historic landmarks. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

it

but

which

Europe, posing

Correct answer:

which

Explanation:

This sentence uses the word "which" where it should use the word "that," so "which" contains the sentence's error and is the correct answer.

"That" is used to signal the start of a restrictive clause, a type of clause that provides necessary information about the sentence's subject and is not set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. (Example: "The fish that was frying in the pan smelled delicious.") "Which" is used to begin nonrestrictive clauses, which are introduced by commas and provide extraneous information that could be omitted from the sentence without significantly altering its meaning. (Example: "The pancakes, which were warm, were Jenna's favorite part of the breakfast buffet.")

In the given sentence, the phrase "which traveled with us throughout Europe, posing in front of historic landmarks" tells us important information that helps define its referent, so "that" should be used, not "which," making the corrected sentence, "I never admitted it to my daughter, but I lost the little sock puppet that traveled with us throughout Europe, posing in front of historic landmarks."

Example Question #471 : 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.

My grandmother tells me that its the best time of the year to make homemade apple sauce, but she still won’t pass along her secret recipe. No error

Possible Answers:

its

still won't pass along

sauce, but

tells me

No error

Correct answer:

its

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong form of its/it’s. “Its” is a possessive pronoun, while “it’s” is a contraction of “it is.” The latter is what is appropriate here. The corrected sentence reads, "My grandmother tells me that it’s the best time of the year to make homemade apple sauce, but she still won’t pass along her secret recipe."

Example Question #41 : 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.

Before going out in the blizzard, the men put on they're warmest winter coats, scarves, and hatsNo error

Possible Answers:

Before

No error

they're

put on

and hats.

Correct answer:

they're

Explanation:

This is an example of commonly confused words: in this case we need the possessive pronoun "their."

"They're" is a contraction for "They are" and "there" indicates a location.

Example Question #291 : Identifying 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.

While I expected giraffes and monkeys at the zoo, I had no idea their were going to be naked mole rats as wellNo error

Possible Answers:

their

While

zoo, I

No error

as well

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

In this sentence, the incorrect spelling of their/there/they’re is used. “Their” is a possessive pronoun (e.g. their giraffes), while “there” is used for existence (e.g. there are naked mole rats). The corrected sentence reads: While I expected giraffes and monkeys at the zoo, I had no idea there were going to be naked mole rats as well.

Example Question #292 : Identifying 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.

I’ll admit that I was a little skeptical about the idea of chickens as pets, but you’re chicken Spike’s friendliness and character took away all of my doubtsNo error

Possible Answers:

skeptical

No error

all of my doubts

admit that

you're

Correct answer:

you're

Explanation:

In this sentence, the wrong version of you’re/your is used. “You’re” is a contraction of “you” and “are,” while “your” is the possessive pronoun that we want in this sentence. The corrected sentence reads, "I’ll admit that I was a little skeptical about the idea of chickens as pets, but you’re chicken Spike’s friendliness and character took away all of my doubts."

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