SAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors
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Example Question #412 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed in order to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The seagull must have injured it's wing; it is having a lot of difficulty flying and can't seem to get off the ground. No error
have
flying and
No error
wing;
it's
it's
"It's" is the contraction, meaning "it is." "Its," without the apostrophe, is the possessive pronoun - the correct one that should be used here. This is a VERY common error, just remember that this is a rare case where the possessive form specifically does not take an apostrophe.
Example Question #413 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
"You're beautiful," he whispered sensually in her ear, "and I hope to multiply you're happy days for the rest of our lives." No error
sensually
No error
ear,
you're
beautiful,"
you're
Although "you're" is correct the first time it appears in the sentence, it is a contraction of "you are;" it is, in other words, a subject and a verb. In the second half of the sentence, "happy days" is an object that the speaker is talking about, and "you're" should be changed to your, the possessive form of the pronoun "you." This makes it clear that she has happy days, but is not herself made of happy days. To see the problem more clearly, replace "you're" with "you are" every time it appears: "...I hope to multiply you are happy days..."
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