SAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors amazon store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #993 : 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.

The new regulations are too strict; they will neither be affective nor respected by the target demographic. No error

 

Possible Answers:

too

nor

affective

target demographic

No error

Correct answer:

affective

Explanation:

"Affective" is easily confused with "effective." "Affective" means to influence someone emotively, while "effective" means to produce a desired result. 

Here, the problem is that the regulations will not be "effective," or produce the desired result. However, the sentence uses the word "affective," which is not the proper word choice. Therefore, "affective" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.

Example Question #994 : 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 sister has always loved to watch the swimmers in the Olympics when she was younger, so its no surprise that they inspired her to become an amazing athlete and win every race she ever swam during high school. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

she ever swam

that they

its

has always loved

Correct answer:

its

Explanation:

"Its" and "it's" are a pair of homonyms that are often confused. Without the apostrophe, "its" is the possessive form of the pronoun "it." On the other hand, "it's" is the contraction of "it" and "is." In this sentence, "it is no surprise" captures the sentence's meaning, but the possessive form of the pronoun "it" does not make any sense. So, "its" is the part of the sentence that contains the error.

Example Question #51 : 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.

John and Susan were disappointed when they heard the rain, because they knew that they're soccer game would be canceled. No error

Possible Answers:

they're

were disappointed

No error

knew

heard

Correct answer:

they're

Explanation:

"They're" is a contraction which means "they are." The correct form in this case is the possessive pronoun "their." So, "they're" contains the sentence's error.

Example Question #52 : 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 hand jive is a dance from the '50s where one slaps and claps one's hands to the beat. No error

Possible Answers:

'50s

No error

is

where

one's

Correct answer:

where

Explanation:

"Where" speaks to location. In this sentence, the clause should be "during which" or "in which." Note that '50s is appropriate: it is never "50's."

Example Question #401 : 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 last question, that was asked by the town’s famously off-kilter librarian, addressed the completely irrelevant issue of protection against government spyingNo error

Possible Answers:

famously

that

issue of

No error

government spying

Correct answer:

that

Explanation:

This sentence uses “that” where “which” is more appropriate. Use “which” for added information, after a comma. The corrected sentence reads, "The last question, which was asked by the town’s famously off-kilter librarian, addressed the completely irrelevant issue of protection against government spying."

Example Question #301 : Identifying Usage Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Judging from there aversion to loud noises, I doubt that the cats will enjoy having three toddlers running amokNo error

Possible Answers:

running amok

loud

will enjoy having

there

No error

Correct answer:

there

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong version of there/their. The possessive “their” is appropriate in this case. The corrected sentence reads, "Judging from their aversion to loud noises, I doubt that the cats will enjoy having three toddlers running amok."

Example Question #51 : 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.

Christopher Columbus did not reach India like he had originally planned; instead, he arrived at an island which is currently part of the Dominican Republic. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

at

planned; instead

which

had

Correct answer:

which

Explanation:

“That” would be a better substitute for “which” since the island we’re referring to is a thing. “Which” is used to refer to an action and/or introduce a new clause, especially after a comma. For example, “I couldn’t understand the directions, which bothered me.”

Example Question #52 : 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.

Sarah believed that she would be excepted into her favorite university until she received a letter that dashed her hopes. No error

Possible Answers:

had believed

excepted 

would be

dashed her hopes

No error

Correct answer:

excepted 

Explanation:

This sentence contains a common usage error—the word "accepted," meaning allowed into, has been confused with the word "excepted," meaning specifically left out. Confusing these words completely changes the meaning of the sentence.

Example Question #411 : 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.

I had reason to believe it was the same truck which had been involved in the hit-and-run last yearNo error

Possible Answers:

it

No error

which

reason

last year

Correct answer:

which

Explanation:

In this sentence, the phrase "had been involved in the hit-and-run from last year" is not a subordinate clause. Rather, it is part of the main clause and helps to identify which truck in particular the speaker is referring to. Because it is not subordinate, the use of the word "which" is inappropriate and confusing. The word "that" should be used instead.

Example Question #412 : 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.

Nancy brought over the most heavenly-smelling batch of pecan rolls, that would have been lovely if I weren’t allergic to both nuts and glutenNo error

Possible Answers:

both nuts and gluten

brought over

lovely

that

No error

Correct answer:

that

Explanation:

This sentence mixes up the words “that” and “which.” “Which” is used to start a phrase that provides additional information after a comma. The content of a which-phrase is loosely connected to the content of the main phrase, and the sentence would still make sense if the information contained in the phrase were omitted. “That” directly follows the word it’s modifying, with no comma intervening. The corrected sentence reads, "Nancy brought over the most heavenly-smelling batch of pecan rolls, which would have been lovely if I weren’t allergic to both nuts and gluten."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors