SAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

A power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people, I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin.

Possible Answers:

I wrote my term paper on the power-hungry dictator and he was the infamous Joseph Stalin.

A power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people, I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin.

A power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people, my term paper was about the infamous Joseph Stalin.

A power-hungry dictator, I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin, who killed millions of people.

I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin, a power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people.

Correct answer:

I wrote my term paper on the infamous Joseph Stalin, a power-hungry dictator who killed millions of people.

Explanation:

As it is written, the initial sentence suggests that the speaker and author of the term paper is a murderous dictator, which is almost certainly not the speaker's intended claim. To fix this, we need to bring the modifying clause closer to the person to whom it is referring. One way that we can do that is by reversing the order of the two clauses.

Example Question #221 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Forced to draw a freehand map of the United States, all of her knowledge of geography suddenly left her.

Possible Answers:

all of her knowledge of geography suddenly left her.

she forgot all of her knowledge of geography suddenly.

all of her knowledge of geography was suddenly leaving.

she suddenly forgot all of her knowledge of geography.

all of her knowledge of geography suddenly forgotten.

Correct answer:

she suddenly forgot all of her knowledge of geography.

Explanation:

This sentence has a dangling participle; its word order separates "forced to draw a freehand map of the United States" from its object, "her," by a significant amount. The sentence can be made clearer by making sure that the object described by its introductory phrase immediately follows that phrase. The best answer choice, "she suddenly forgot all of her knowledge of geography," fixes this and keeps the adverb “suddenly” close to its verb, resulting in the sentence, "Forced to draw a freehand map of the United States, she suddenly forgot all of her knowledge of geography."

Example Question #1841 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Although she studied traditional French cuisine, food critics praised the master chef for her culinary innovations.

Possible Answers:

food critics praised the master chef for her culinary innovations.

food critics have praised the master chef for her culinary innovations.

food critics praised the master chef because of her culinary innovations.

the master chef received praise from critics for her culinary innovations.

food critics praising the master chef for her culinary innovations.

Correct answer:

the master chef received praise from critics for her culinary innovations.

Explanation:

The original text contains a misplaced modifier, making it sound as though the food critics were the ones who studied traditional French cuisine.

Only the answer choice "the master chef received praise from critics for her culinary innovations" avoids the misplaced modifier error because it places the person who did actually study traditional French cuisine—the master chef—immediately after the introductory modifying phrase.

Example Question #11 : Correcting Modifier Placement Errors

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Walking down the street, the time is something that Erica lost track of.

Possible Answers:

Walking down the street, the time lost track of Erica.

Walking down the street, the time is something that Erika lost track of.

Walking down the street the time is something that Erika lost track of.

Walking down the street, Erica lost track of the time.

Walked down the street, the time is something that Erika lost track of.

Correct answer:

Walking down the street, Erica lost track of the time.

Explanation:

The sentence as it is written contains a dangling modifier, because it appears that "the time" is "walking down the street." We need to rewrite the sentence so that it is apparent that "Erica" is the one who is "walking down the street." So, the correct answer is "Walking down the street, Erica lost track of the time."

Example Question #222 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

Alighting on the deck, the aircraft carrier shook from the force of the plane.

Possible Answers:

the aircraft carrier shakes from the force of the plane.

the aircraft carrier shook from the force of the plane.

the plane shaking the aircraft carrier's force.

the aircraft carrier shaking from the force of the plane.

the plane shook the aircraft carrier with its force.

Correct answer:

the plane shook the aircraft carrier with its force.

Explanation:

The sentence features a dangling modifier, making it seem like the "aircraft carrier" is the object "alighting," when in fact the plane "alights" on the carrier. To remedy this, the words must be rearranged to make the plane the subject of the sentence. "The plane shook the aircraft carrier with its force," is the only answer choice that does this and is completely grammatically correct.

Example Question #223 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

Rounding the corner, the park was right in front of the tourist group.

Possible Answers:

As the tourists rounded the corner, the park was right in front of them.

Rounding the corner, the park became right in front of the tourist group. 

As the tourists rounded the corner, the park being right in front of them.

Rounding the corner, the park was right in front of the tourist group.

Rounding the corner, the park was in right front of the tourist group.

Correct answer:

As the tourists rounded the corner, the park was right in front of them.

Explanation:

The sentence as written contains a dangling modifier, which confusingly makes it read like the park was what rounded the corner. The only answer choice that fixes this issue and is grammatically correct is "As the tourists rounded the corner, the park was right in front of them."

Example Question #22 : Correcting Modifier Placement Errors

Descending the stairs, the young man thought his prom date looked beautiful on the landing.

Possible Answers:

Descending of the stairs

Descended the stairs

As she descended the stairs

Descending the stairs

Descending from the stairs

Correct answer:

As she descended the stairs

Explanation:

The sentence indicates with its final phrase that the "prom date" was the one on the stairs, but is written like the "young boy" is the one "descending." The introductory phrase needs to be restructured to make this distinction clear. The only answer choice that does this is "As she descended the stairs."

Example Question #11 : Correcting Dangling Modifier Errors

Under the heavy weight, the rock was crushing the people trapped underneath.

Possible Answers:

the people being underneath trapping by the rock's crushing.

the rock crushing the people trapped underneath.

the people trapped underneath the rock were being crushed.

the rock was crushing the people trapped underneath.

the rock was crushing people who were trapped underneath.

Correct answer:

the people trapped underneath the rock were being crushed.

Explanation:

The sentence is confusingly written, as the modifier clause "Under the heavy weight" reads as though it is describing the rock. Actually the "people trapped underneath" are the ones "Under the heavy weight," and the sentence should be reworded to reflect this and clear up the confusion. The answer choice that does this and becomes clear is "the people trapped underneath the rock were being crushed."

Example Question #271 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

Behind the rock, the bullets could not hit the soldiers.

Possible Answers:

The soldiers being not hit by bullets behind the rock.

Behind the rock, the bullets could not hit the soldiers.

Behind the rock the bullets could not hit the soldiers.

Behind the rock, where the bullets could not hit the soldiers.

The bullets could not hit the soldiers behind the rock.

Correct answer:

The bullets could not hit the soldiers behind the rock.

Explanation:

As the sentence is written, it makes it seem like the bullets are behind the rock instead of the soldiers. The sentence needs to be reworded to clarify the sentence, and make it clear who is hiding where and from what. The answer choice that does this best is "The bullets could not hit the soldiers behind the rock."

Example Question #241 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

Walking out the door, the bright sunshine blinded the shoppers.

Possible Answers:

the shoppers were blinded by the bright sunshine.

the bright sunshine blinded the shoppers.

the bright sunshine blinds the shoppers.

the shoppers blinding the sunshine.

the bright sunshine blinding the shoppers.

Correct answer:

the shoppers were blinded by the bright sunshine.

Explanation:

The sentence is written in a manner that makes it appear the sunshine is what is "walking out the door." The underlined portion of the sentence must be reworded to make it clear the shoppers are the ones doing the walking. The answer choice that best fixes this problem is "the shoppers were blinded by the bright sunshine."

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