SAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #8 : Misplaced Or Interrupting 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.

Only the time that will work for everyone is in the evenings.

Possible Answers:

Only the time that will work

The only time that will work

Only the timing that will work

Only the time that will be working

Only the time which will work

Correct answer:

The only time that will work

Explanation:

The insertion of "only" at the beginning of the sentence creates confusion as to exactly what it is modifying. The word should be moved to make it clear it is modifying "time," which is the way the sentence makes the most sense. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "The only time that will work."

Example Question #3 : Misplaced Or Interrupting 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.

His manner of speech was like exactly his grandfather's.

Possible Answers:

His manner of speech was exactly like his grandfather's.

His manner of speech was like exactly that of his grandfather's.

His manner of speech was like exactly his grandfather's.

His manner of speech was like exactly his grandfathers.

His manner in speech was like exactly his grandfather's.

Correct answer:

His manner of speech was exactly like his grandfather's.

Explanation:

The placement of "exactly" in the sentence is confusing, as placing it after "like" makes it seem as though the manner was almost exactly or kind of exactly. By placing "exactly" after "was," the comparison between the two manners of speech is more clear, making the correct answer "His manner of speech was exactly like his grandfather's."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Misplaced Or Interrupting 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.

The new information confused the merely investigative team working on the case.

Possible Answers:

The new information confused the investigative team merely working on the case.

The new information merely confused the investigative team working on the case.

The new information confused the merely investigative team working on the case.

The new information confused merely the investigative team working on the case.

The new merely information confused the investigative team working on the case.

Correct answer:

The new information merely confused the investigative team working on the case.

Explanation:

The word "merely" is dangling in the middle of the sentence, seemingly modifying nothing and making little sense in the sentence. The word should be moved to indicate a clearer usage of the adverb. The place where the word makes most sense is between "information" and "confused," so it is clear that it is modifying the verb "confused."

Example Question #281 : 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.

He barely pushed the stone five yards, making him the contestant in last place after the round.

Possible Answers:

He pushed the stone barely five yards,

Barely he pushed the stone five yards,

He barely pushed the stone five yards barely,

He barely pushed the stone five yards,

He pushed the barely stone five yards,

Correct answer:

He pushed the stone barely five yards,

Explanation:

The placement of "barely" in the sentence is extremely odd, as it seems to imply that the subject only lightly pushed, but still got the stone "five yards." The word "barely" needs to be moved to clarify that the stone "barely" made the distance. Thus, "He pushed the stone barely five yards," is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #281 : 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.

Only the issue that mattered was the territorial rights of each nation.

Possible Answers:

The only issue that mattered

Only that issue that mattered

Only the issue that matters

Only the issue that mattered

Only the issue that is mattering

Correct answer:

The only issue that mattered

Explanation:

The use of "Only" at the beginning of the sentence is strange and confusing, making it unclear what it is modifying. The construction of the rest of the sentence means the word should modify "issue" directly. "The only issue that mattered" is the answer choice that correctly deploys the adjective.

Example Question #11 : Misplaced Or Interrupting 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.

After a full night of work, the team had barely dug two feet into the hard ground.

Possible Answers:

the team had dug two feet into the barely hard ground.

the team had barely dug two feet into the hard ground.

the team had dug barely two feet into the hard ground.

the team had dug two feet barely into the hard ground.

barely the team had dug two feet into the hard ground.

Correct answer:

the team had dug barely two feet into the hard ground.

Explanation:

The placement of "barely" in the sentence as confusing, as it modifies "dug" and makes the sentence read that the team was not digging very much. The meaning of the sentence is more clear if "barely" modifies the "two feet" to show how little was actually done. The answer choice that correctly deploys "barely" is "the team had dug barely two feet into the hard ground."

Example Question #282 : 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.

The vogue for mixed breed dogs helps to improve actually the health of canines overall.

Possible Answers:

The vogue for mixed breed dogs actually helps to improve the health of canines overall.

The vogue for actually mixed breed dogs helps to improve the health of canines overall.

The vogue actually for mixed breed dogs helps to improve the health of canines overall.

The vogue for mixed breed dogs helps to improve actually the health of canines overall.

The vogue for mixed breed dogs helps to improve the health of canines actually overall.

Correct answer:

The vogue for mixed breed dogs actually helps to improve the health of canines overall.

Explanation:

The adverb "actually" is stuck in a place in the sentence where it is unclear what verb it is supposed to be modifying. An adverb like "actually" modifies verbs, and should be placed directly next to the word it modifies. The only answer choice that places the adverb next to a verb is "The vogue for mixed breed dogs actually helps to improve the health of canines overall."

Example Question #282 : 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.

The young attorney was highly still idealistic, taking on cases that had no chance of paying her well.

Possible Answers:

The young attorney was high still idealistic

The young attorney was still highly idealistic

The young attorney were highly still idealistic

The young attorney was highly still idealistic

The young attorney was highly still idealist

Correct answer:

The young attorney was still highly idealistic

Explanation:

The insertion of "still" between "highly" and "idealistic" is awkward, as "highly" should directly modify "idealistic." The word order of the sentence should be modified, so that "still" is placed before "highly." "The young attorney was still highly idealistic" is therefore the correct answer choice.

Example Question #111 : 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.

The only young girl was interested in math among her required school subjects.

Possible Answers:

The young girl was interested in math among her required school subjects only.

The young girl was interested in math only among her required school subjects.

The young girl was interested in math among her required only school subjects.

The only young girl was interested in math among her required school subjects.

The young girl was only interested in math among her required school subjects.

Correct answer:

The young girl was only interested in math among her required school subjects.

Explanation:

The use of "only" to modify "young girl" is confusing, and makes the sentence unclear. If the word "only" is shifted, it can more clearly show that the "young girl" was "interested" in math and little else "among her required school subjects." The answer choice which most clearly uses "only" is "The young girl was only interested in math among her required school subjects."

Example Question #121 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Only they read the author's books, and refuse to touch books by anyone else.

Possible Answers:

Only they read the author's books,

They read the books only of the author,

Only they are reading the author's books,

They read the only author's books,

They read only the author's books,

Correct answer:

They read only the author's books,

Explanation:

The use of the word "only" is incorrect in this sentence, as the second part of the sentence makes it clear that the subjects read "only" the individual's author's work. The sentence is written to make it seem like the subjects are the only people reading the author's work. "They read only the author's books" is the answer choice that best fixes the problem.

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