SAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : 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.
Even though the teacher told the student, "You have to remove you're shoes," the advice made no impact. No error
you're
though
made
No error
student,
you're
The underlined word, "you're" should be "your," as it is reflecting the student's possession of his or her shoes. "You're" is used when intending to communicate "you are," which would not be appropriate for this sentence.
Example Question #1 : 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.
It doesn’t matter weather it is rainy or sunny tomorrow, because the volleyball team is sure to hold practice. No error
weather
because
sure to
No error
or
weather
When describing two possibilities, the appropriate word is “whether,” not “weather,” which refers to the climate.
Example Question #9 : 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.
Bill, who was not looking forward to seeing his mean cousins, told his mother, “There going to make fun of me.” No error
No error
who
There
his
forward to
There
"They’re" is a contraction that means “they are," whereas "there" refers to a specified location. “They’re” is the appropriate word to use in this sentence, not “there.”
Example Question #10 : 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.
Mario yelled, “You’re not the only one whose tired; it’s been a long day, and practice was truly exhausting.” No error
whose
it's
yelled,
you're
No error
whose
The contraction “who’s," which is a shortened form of "who is," should replace “whose,” which is a possessive pronoun and doesn't make sense in the sentence.
Example Question #1 : 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.
Many people are not aware of the duel function of honey; it’s both a natural sweetener and an antiseptic for lesions and other wounds. No error
No error
it's
Many people are
honey;
duel
duel
A "duel” is a fight that adheres to a specific set of rules, while “dual” means having the quality of two. So, "duel" is being incorrectly used in this sentence, and to correct the sentence's error, you would need to replace "duel" with "dual."
Example Question #61 : Identifying Other 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're really excited that their are so many flavors to choose from for the birthday cake. No error
They're
their
to
No error
that
their
"Their" is a possessive pronoun that means "belonging to them," but nothing is being possessed by anyone here; the flavors do not belong to anyone in this sentence. "There" would be more appropriate.
Example Question #12 : 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.
Randy warned his children that they’re family would stand out once they moved to Tokyo, simply because of how different they would look compared to many other people in Japan. No error
No error
they're
how
his
once
they're
“They’re” is used to abbreviate the phrase “they are,” while “their” is used to show possession. Since possession is being shown, “their” should be used, not “they’re.”
Example Question #71 : Identifying Other 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 Sarah knew that going to the basketball game instead of studying was what lead to her bad grade on her math test, she felt it was worth it. No error
No error
that
instead of
lead
though
lead
“Lead” is the present tense form of the verb “to lead” for a plural noun. However, the appropriate form of the verb for the singular subject (Sarah) in the past tense is “led.”
Example Question #11 : 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.
Overexposure to ultraviolet rays has been linked to types of skin cancer, so if your staying outside for a long time, apply sunscreen regularly. No error
has been linked
regularly
No error
so
your
your
"Your" is a possessive pronoun. It should be replaced in the sentence with the contraction for "you are," which is "you're."
Example Question #15 : 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.
Weather or not you like stormy whether, I enjoy listening to the thunder, watching the lightning, and hearing the rain plunking against my house's tin roof. No error
listening to the thunder, watching the lightning, and hearing the rain
against
No error
Weather or not your like stormy whether,
my house's tin roof
Weather or not your like stormy whether,
"Weather or not you like stormy whether" contains the sentence's errors. "Weather" is a noun that means atmospheric phenomena like rain, snow, or sleet, and "whether" is a conjunction that presents two options, as in the sentence, "I couldn't decide whether or not to wear my heavy coat that day, because the weather was supposed to start off freezing warm up drastically." So, to correct this sentence's errors, "weather" and "whether" should be switched around, resulting in the sentence, "Whether or not you like stormy weather, I enjoy listening to the thunder, watching the lightning, and hearing the rain plunking against my house's tin roof."
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