SAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Question #2 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
If you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
After you fix the sink, you're going to continue to having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
Unless you fix the sink you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
If you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
Because you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
Unless you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
Unless you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
From the context of the sentence, it is clear that the person being addressed must fix their sink, or continue to deal with water leaking on their floor. "Unless" is an appropriate subordinating conjunction to use in such a case. It is clear in the example that the speaker is seeking to express a condition that must be met in order to stop the result the speaker predicts. Therefore, the best construction of the sentence above is "Unless you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor."
Example Question #3 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
He would work outside for lower pay and stay stuck in an office all day, even if the pay was significantly higher.
rather than
because
and
in order to
since
rather than
It is clear from the context of the sentence that the person in question is choosing to work outside, in spite of the pay cut. "Rather than" is an appropriate subordinate conjunction to use for such a choice. The best possible construction of the potential answers for the sentence above is "He would work outside for lower pay rather than stay stuck in an office all day, even if the pay was significantly higher."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
The principal's office requires that these pamplets should be distribute before the end of the financial year.
for the pamplets to be distributing
that these pamplets be distribute
that these pamplets should distribute
that these pamplets be distributed
that these pamplets distribution
that these pamplets be distributed
"The principal's office requires that these pamplets should be distribute before the end of the financial year." - This sentence contains one error. The verb tense of "distribute" is incorrect; it should be in the past tense to complete the past participle phrase.
"The principal's office requires that these pamplets distribution before the end of the financial year." - This sentence contains a diction error. "These pamplets distribution" is improper diction.
"The principal's office requires for the pamplets to be distributing before the end of the financial year." - This sentence contains two error. "Requires" cannot be paired with "for." Also, "distributing" incorrectly uses the present perfect tense.
"The principal's office requires that these pamplets should distribute before the end of the financial year." - This sentence contains two errors. "Should distribute" is both a Verb Tense and a diction error.
"The principal's office requires that these pamplets be distributed before the end of the financial year." - This sentence has no errors.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
Some prescription drugs can produce dangerous interactions when combined with other chemicals, and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always be telling your physician about any medications you take at home.
although you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
but you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
This sentence contains an error in its logic of cause and effect. The first part of the sentence is the reason for the advice offered in the second part. So, you should change "and" to a word that demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship. Do not add a contrast word like "but" or "although" unless the sentence includes some sort of contradiction or opposition.
Example Question #51 : Correcting Conjunction 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 highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, although I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes and was closed on Monday, I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, or I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
Based on the information in this sentence, we can infer that there is a cause-and-effect relationship: as a result of the highway being closed, the speaker had to take a different route to work. “So” is the only conjunction here that indicates cause and effect.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
Even though I was afraid of heights, so I didn't go on the roller coaster.
I was afraid of heights, so I didn't go on the roller coaster.
The roller coaster I didn't go on, I was afraid of heights.
So I didn't go on the roller coaster, even though I was afraid of heights.
Even though I was afraid of heights, I didn't go on the roller coaster.
I was afraid of heights, didn't go on the roller coaster.
I was afraid of heights, so I didn't go on the roller coaster.
This choice eliminates the incorrect and unnececessary use of "Even though," which would suggest a contradiction rather than a cause or reason.
Example Question #51 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
So the python was bigger than the boar, the boar was faster and more fierce.
So the python was bigger than the boar,
But the python was bigger than the boar,
Even though the python was bigger than the boar,
Because the python was bigger than the boar,
So the python was bigger than the boar;
Even though the python was bigger than the boar,
In the sentence above, it is clear that a subordinating conjunction (or pair of subordinating conjunctions) that shows contrast should be placed in the underlined section. The best way to correct the underlined section of the sentence above is: "Even though the python was bigger than the boar,"
Example Question #12 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, and he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Under the old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
The old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, So he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
The old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
In the sentence above, the words "because" and "so" are being used to cause the portions of the sentence to be subordinate clauses: they are subordinate conjunctions. They also mean roughly the same thing, so only one of them is necessary, and the other should be deleted. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "The old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey."
An alternative correct answer would be: "Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, he poured himself a glass of whiskey."
Example Question #52 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
Paul was not selected for the final job, with he was the most qualified candidate.
with he was the most qualified candidate
but he was the most qualified candidate.
under he was the most qualified candidate.
over he was the most qualified candidate.
with he was the most Qualified Candidate.
but he was the most qualified candidate.
In the sentence above, it is clear that a subordinating conjunction (or pair of subordinating conjunctions that shows contrast) should be placed in the underlined section. The best way to correct the underlined section of the sentence above is: "but he was the most qualified candidate."
Example Question #53 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
The man was sure he was as strong as the horse, but although he was not.
although he was not.
but although he was not.
but and he was not.
and although he was not.
with although he was not.
although he was not.
"But" and "although" are both coordinating conjunctions, and either would be appropriate for this sentence; they also mean exactly the same thing, so using them together is redundant. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "although he was not."
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