SAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #184 : 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.
Having been the one which was that which had been lost, the jewelry's discovery was considered a miracle.
That was the one that had been lost,
That which was the one which was lost,
Having been the one which was that which had been lost,
Having been lost,
That which had been lost,
Having been lost,
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely long, confusing, and wordy, meaning that it needs to be simplified. The simplification still needs to be grammatically correct and retain the sentence's intended meaning, however. "Having been lost," is the answer choice that is both simplest and correct gramatically.
Example Question #1401 : Improving Sentences
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.
That which was the thing that he did not want to do was his assignment from the officer.
That thing he not want to do
The thing he did not want to do
That which was that which he did not want to do
That thing that he did not want to do
That which was the thing that he did not want to do
The thing he did not want to do
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely wordy and confusing, and needs to be simplified. While being simplified, the sentence must be kept grammatically correct, and it needs to retain its intended meaning. "The thing he most did not want to do" is the answer choice that best simplifies the sentence.
Example Question #1402 : Improving Sentences
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.
Having been the one which was the thing she most desired, the little girl begged her parents for the toy.
Being the one which was the thing she most desired
Being what she most desired
Having been the thing she most desired
Having been the one which was the thing she most desired
Having been the one she most desired
Being what she most desired
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely awkward and overly wordy, meaning it needs to be simplified. While being simplified, the sentence needs to retain its intended meaning and be grammatically correct. "Being what she most desired" is the only answer choice that correctly simplifies the sentence.
Example Question #171 : Correcting Other 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 senator was very popular, and once at one point he was one which had been considered to have been a presidential contender.
once at one point he was considered a presidential contender
once at one point he was one which had been considered to have been a presidential contender
at one point he was considered a presidential contender
once he was considered to have being a presidential contender
at once he was considered as been a presidential contender
at one point he was considered a presidential contender
The underlined portion of the sentence needs to be simplified, as it is repetitive, confusing, and overly wordy. A simplification must still be grammatically correct and retain the sentence's intended meaning. The answer choice which best accomplishes both goals is "as at one point he was considered a presidential contender."
Example Question #31 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy 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 suspect was cornered because he was the one that was the only person who had been near what was the crime scene.
he was the one that was the only person who was near the crime scene
he was the only person who had been near what was the crime scene
he was the only person who was near the crime scene
he was the one that was near what was the crime scene
he was the one that was the only person who had been near what was the crime scene
he was the only person who was near the crime scene
The underlined phrase is extremely wordy, repetitive, and confusing, meaning it needs to be simplified. Any simplification still needs to be grammatically correct and retain the sentence's intended meaning. The only answer choice that accomplishes both of these goals is "he was the only person who was near the crime scene."
Example Question #32 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy 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.
Having been seen as that which was what was most problematic, the item was left off the table for discussion.
Having being seen as that which was what was most problematic
Having been seen as that which was what was most problematic
Having been seen as that which was most problematic
Being seen as what was most problematic
Having seen what was most problematic
Being seen as what was most problematic
The underlined portion of the phrase is extremely wordy and confusing, and it needs to be simplified. Any simplification needs to both retain the sentence's intended meaning and remain grammatically correct. "Being seen as what was most problematic" is the answer choice that best simplifies the phrase.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy 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.
Working toward what was that thing which he had always dreamed, the apprentice rarely slept.
Working toward what that was the thing he dreamed
Working toward what was that thing which was his dream
Working toward what was he had dreamed
Working toward his dream
Working was that thing which he was his dream
Working toward his dream
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely awkward and overly wordy, meaning it must be simplified. While being simplified, though, the sentence needs to retain its intended meaning and remain grammatically correct. "Working toward his dream" is the answer choice that best accomplishes both goals.
Example Question #42 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy 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.
That which was what was having been agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
What was agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
That which was what was having been agreed upon was acted by both sides.
That was having been agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
That which was having been agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
That which was what was having been agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
What was agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
The sentence is overwrought and awkwardly worded, and it needs to be simplified. Any simplification, though, must retain the sentence's intended meaning and be grammatically correct. The answer choice which best simplifies the sentence is "What was agreed upon was then acted out by both sides."
Example Question #522 : Improving Sentences
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.
Being that which was the sole thing that was the subject of discussion, that issue took up most of the meeting as people debated it.
Being which was the sole subject of discussion,
Being that which was the sole thing that was the subject of discussion,
Being the sole subject of discussion,
That sole thing which was being discussed,
Being that which was under discussion,
Being the sole subject of discussion,
The underlined portion of the sentence is extrmely overwrought, meaning it desperately needs to be simplified. While being simplified, however, the sentence still needs to have its original intended meaning and be grammatically correct. The only answer choice that correctly does both while simplifying is "Being the sole subject of discussion."
Example Question #523 : Improving Sentences
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.
That being what was the thing that was most important, a discussion of fiscal policy took up most of the meeting and allowed no time for the discussion of other topics.
Being was most important
That being most important
That being what was the thing that was most important
Being the most important thing
That being what was was most important
Being the most important thing
The sentence is overly wordy and confusing, and should be simplified to clarify its meaning. A simplification, though, needs to both be grammatically correct and retain the sentence's intended meaning. The answer choice that best accomplishes both goals while simplifying the sentence is "Being the most important thing."
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