SAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Even though Joseph is a big fan of cooking shows, he hasn't never cooked in his entire life. No error
his
hasn't
No error
cooked
Even though
hasn't
Double negatives are grammatically incorrect in standard written English, so instead of saying "hasn't never cooked," one should say "has never cooked."
Example Question #8 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Every year, thousands of tourists swarm to New York City to view the impressive, timeless monument known as the Statue Of Liberty. No error
the Statue Of Liberty
thousands of tourists
the impressive, timeless, monument
No error
to New York City
the Statue Of Liberty
The preposition “of” in the title “Statue of Liberty” does not need to be—and should not be—capitalized.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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 jury, despite hours of deliberation, is not able to resolve the issue; in the end, they cannot determine whose responsible for the crime. No error
No error
deliberation, is
determine whose
issue; in the end
jury, despite
determine whose
"Who is" and "who's" is not interchangeable with "whose": here the correct sentence is: "they cannot determine who is (who's) respsonsible ..."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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 Odyssey is a very long epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus and the long journey he undertakes to try to return to his home. No error
he undertakes
The Odyssey is a long epic poem
No error
that
to try and return to his home
The Odyssey is a long epic poem
The sentence tells us (correctly) that the Odyssey is "a long epic poem," so as a long poem, its title should be italicized as "The Odyssey."
Example Question #11 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
During the "Great Famine" of the mid-1800s, many Irish citizens immigrated from Ireland to countries around the world in an effort to escape mass starvation. No error
No error
starvation
immigrated
Ireland
effort
immigrated
The correct verb to describe the process of people leaving their country is "emigrated," which means to have left one's own country to live in another, usually out of necessity. The verb "immigrate" means to permanently relocate to a foreign country. One might emigrate from Ireland, and immigrate to America. In this case, "emigrated" is the correct choice because the focus is on the Irish citizens moving from Ireland, rather than to a specific destination.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic Usage Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Only one state was added in the 1870s: Colorado, which became apart of the United States in August of 1876. No error
No error
apart
which
:
Only
apart
"Apart" is an adverb. "A part" is a noun, and, more importantly, the appropriate noun to use in this instance. "Apart" is usually used in the "apart from" construction, which is not relevant to this sentence.
Example Question #12 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Grace's little sister always depends to Grace for help on homework. No error
Grace's
depends to
No error
for help
always
depends to
In this context, "depends" is conventionally followed by "on," not "to." In this case the little sister "depends on Grace," so she should be "grateful to" her.
Example Question #13 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
In order to do well on a standardied test, it helps for one to be familiar to the format of the test and with one's own testing tendencies. No error
No error
familiar to
do well
one's
SAT,
familiar to
This question is testing the idiom "familiar with," which means that "familiar to" is incorrect. An idiom is just a conventional way of saying something. Unfortuately, idioms do not follow distinct rules so they must just be memorized. A corrected sentence would look like this: In order to do well on the SAT, it helps for one to be familiar with the format of the test and with one's own testing tendencies.
Example Question #14 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error.
The late Maya Angelou is celebrated by her poems, novels, and collections of essays; her work has been and continues to be inspirational to many. No error
by
essays;
No error
has been
inspirational
by
This question tests knowledge of the idiom "celebrated for." This idiom indicates the reasons why someone is celebrated—in Maya Angelou's case, her writing. "Celebrated by," on the other hand, is used to explain who celebrates someone, which is not specifically discussed in this sentence.
A sample sentence using "celebrated by":
"The court decision was celebrated by many activists."
A sample sentence using "celebrated for":
"The late Maya Angelou is celebrated for her poems, novels, and collections of essays; her work has been and continues to be inspirational to many."
Example Question #15 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Although the father loved his two children equally, the younger sibling expects to be bequeathed a grossly unequivocal portion of the inheritance. No error
unequivocal
grossly
children equally, the
to be bequeathed
No error
unequivocal
Although "unequivocal" appears to indicate the younger sibling expects an unequal or uneven split, that's not what "unequivocal" means. "Unequivocal" means to be unclear about something.
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