SAT Writing : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
No matter how diverse a menu may be, John always orders the most basic dish that he could find. No error
always
No error
most
how
could
could
The sentence is written in the present tense, except for the modal verb, "could," which expresses possibility where none is needed; we're told that John "always" orders basic dishes. "Could" should be changed to the present tense verb "can" so that its tense matches that of "orders."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I was the principal, I would make the student council dedicate their time to issues that concern all students. No error
concern all students
No error
council dedicate
principal
was
was
Since the speaker is talking about a hypothetical situation, it is appropriate to use the subjunctive mood to denote that. The sentence should therefore begin "If I were the principal," ("were" being the first-person subjunctive form of "is") rather than "If I was the principal." Look out for key words such as "if" or "I wish" to denote where the subjunctive mood should be used.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I was president, I would adjust the national budget so that everyone would be able to live comfortably. No error
No error
would
comfortably
to live
was
was
Since the speaker of the sentence is discussing a hypothetical situation, the verb "was" should be changed to its subjunctive form, "were."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Caleb was certain that if he was in charge, the student council would be able to secure his favorite band to play at prom. No error
to play
was
No error
would be able
charge, the
was
In this sentence, the writer is referring to a hypothetical situation of Caleb being in charge. This requires the use of the subjunctive mood of the verb. The phrase "if he was in charge" should therefore be changed to "if he were in charge," so "was" should be replaced with "were."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Mood 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 her Agriculture classes, Daisy always asks her students to grow the biggest pumpkins they could grow. No error
No error
to grow
Agriculture
biggest
could
could
The sentence is written entirely in present tense without the use of modal verbs except for the modal verb "could." In order to maintain consistency, we need to change "could" to "can."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Standing at the front door, Patrick passionately proclaimed that everything would change if he was in charge of the house instead of his parents. No error
proclaimed
instead of
No error
Standing at the front door
was
was
In this sentence, Patrick is describing a hypothetical situation in which he is in charge of the house. Since this situation has not actually happened, he would need to use the subjunctive mood for the "verb" is and change "was" to "were" ("if he were in charge").
Example Question #3 : Identifying Verb Mood 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 when the chips are down, Daisy always thinks about how she could help her fellow students. No error
No error
always
about how
the chips
could
could
While the majority of the sentence is written in the present tense, the modal verb "could" expresses potential unnecessarily. "Could" should be changed to the present tense "can" in order to match the mood of the sentence.
Example Question #6 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I were the head chef at a restaurant, I would include lots of bizarre dishes with rare ingredients and combinations that would be new and exciting to patrons. No error
would be
ingredients and combinations
No error
If I were
restaurant, I
No error
"If I were" is correct because subjunctive mood is needed in hypotheticals introduced by "if." "Were" is correct here, not "was." A comma is appropriate between "restaurant" and "I" because an introductory phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Would be" is consistent with the mood of the sentence, and there are no issues with "ingredients and combinations." There is no error in the sentence.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We quickly determined that we'd almost never stay on the ground if we was able to fly. No error
almost never
was able
quickly determined
on the ground
No error
was able
The sentence is intended to convey the possibility of what would happen if the speakers could fly; therefore, "was able" should be changed to the correct subjunctive mood form: "were able."
Example Question #8 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A lot of Paul's students wish that their professor was kinder. NO ERROR
kinder
Paul's
NO ERROR
was
A lot
was
The "wish" in the sentence above indicates that the sentence will be in the subjunctive mood. In subjunctive, "was" should be replaced by "were."
All SAT Writing Resources
