SAT Writing : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : 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.
Brad knew that if he was serious about becoming a professional musician, he should really be practicing trumpet for three hours a day. No error
should really be
No error
musician,
becoming
was
was
This question is testing knowledge of verb mood. Since the sentence contains a hypothetical condition indicated by "if," the verb before "serious" should be in the subjunctive mood, which expresses wishes, desires, and hypothetical situations. A corrected sentence would look like this: "Brad knew that if he were serious about becoming a professional musician, he should really be practicing trumpet for three hours a day."
Example Question #12 : 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 in your position, I would let Erica know immediately. No error
was
let
No error
position,
know
was
The sentence is in the subjunctive mood, so "was" must be replaced with "were." The subjunctive mood is used to describe a suggestion, a command, a wish, or a condition that is not factual.
Example Question #13 : 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.
I suggest that you are at my seminar later; you need lessons about business acumen. No error
you are at
I suggest
seminar later;
No error
you need lessons
you are at
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the word "suggest" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The sentence should read: "I suggest that you be at my seminar later; you need lessons about business acumen."
Example Question #14 : 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.
The dentist ordered that I be still while he powered up his drill. No error
I be still
The dentist ordered
while
No error
powered up
No error
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the word "ordered" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The sentence is correct as it is written.
Example Question #15 : 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.
The young businessman made a proposal to his partner that he buys more office supplies for their company. No error
he buys more
to his partner
No error
their company.
The young businessman
he buys more
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the words "made a proposal" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used.
The sentence should read: "The young businessman made a proposal to his partner that he buy more office supplies for their company."
Example Question #16 : 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 the politician was a smarter man, he would not have crossed the senator. No error
was
he would
No error
crossed
If the politician
was
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility rather than truth. In the sentence above, because the word "If" begins the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The correct subjunctive construction of the sentence above is "If the politician were a smarter man, he would not have crossed the senator."
Example Question #17 : 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.
Everyone agreed that Mrs. Powell were the best English teacher they'd ever had. No error
were
Everyone
had
English
No error
were
The verb "were" may be appropriately used if it describes a plural noun (as in "the Powells were the best English teachers") or if it describes a hypothetical situation in the subjunctive mood (as in "if Mrs. Powell were an English teacher, she would be the best"). In this case, it is more appropriate to use "was" instead.
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