SAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #61 : 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.
According to the census, more than three times as many people inhabit New York as in Chicago.
as in
than in
as inhabit
compared to
as well as
as inhabit
“More than” implies a comparison in the sentence between New York and Chicago, immediately eliminating choices that don’t contain the word “as”, which functions as an adverb here. It is also important to keep uniformity between verbs when comparing two things. This means that because the verb “inhabit” is used in reference to New York, it must also be used in reference to Chicago. This leaves us with, "as inhabit."
Example Question #62 : 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.
Arthur Vandelay’s drawings were not popular during his lifetime, now are considered to be among the most valuable artworks in the world.
but being now
but they now
but are now
now are
the paintings are now
but are now
This sentence contains two contrasting ideas: first, that Vandelay's paintings were not popular in his lifetime, and second, that they are now valuable. The conjunction “but” is thus necessary to include in the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
The vineyards of Napa Valley are at once breathlessly vibrant, symmetrical, and the green is profound.
and it is profoundly green.
and profoundly green.
and its green is quite profound.
and so profound green.
and the green is profound.
and profoundly green.
This sentence requires parallelism across all elements. Only "profoundly green" matches "breathlessly vibrant" and "symmetrical."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The kids took too much time cleaning their rooms, left little time to do outdoor chores.
leaving little time to doing outdoor chores.
leaving little time to do outdoor chores.
left few times to do outdoor chores.
left little time to do outdoor chores.
left little time to had done outdoor chores.
leaving little time to do outdoor chores.
The underlined phrase in the sentence, being the second part of a complex sentence, needs to have a parallel structure to the phrase in the first half of the sentence; therefore, "leaving little time to do outdoor chores," is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
When choosing a sport, youths are encouraged to consider its difficulty, its required skills, its necessary equipment, and its overall cost.
its overall cost.
how much it costs overall.
the money needed for it.
if it costs money.
the cost of it.
its overall cost.
In this question, only the original sentence shows parallelism. Any choice other than "its overall cost" would not exhibit parallel structure with the sentence's other elements.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
The teacher sought new ways of teaching, believing her students would get more from lessons featuring playing, acting, and creativity.
featuring the playing, acting, and creativity.
featuring play, act, and creativity.
featuring playing, acting, and creativity.
featuring playing, acting, and creative things.
featuring playing, acting, and creating.
featuring playing, acting, and creating.
The underlined portion of the sentence features a list of verbs, but they are not all in a parallel form. All such lists must feature a parallel structure for the verbs listed; therefore, the correct answer is "featuring playing, acting, and creating."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Stretching before physical workouts is important to improve flexibility and avoiding injury.
is important to improve flexibility and avoid injury.
are important to improve flexibility and avoiding injury.
is important to improve flexibility and being injured less.
is important to improve flexibility and in the avoidance of injury.
is important to both improve flexibility and also avoid injury.
is important to improve flexibility and avoid injury.
Paralellism: in a list of two or more items in a sentence, each should be worded in the same manner for consistency. One choice changes "is" to "are," which is incorrect because the subject is the singular "stretching," not the plural "workouts," which is part of a prepositional phrase.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
Writing an additional sentence for each paragraph you have is easier than the writing of a brand new paragraph altogether.
one's writing of
writing
when one has to write
the writing of
when you must write
writing
It is not a parallel comparison. The comparison should match, and state that writing something is easier than writing something.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
More than other children, he struggled adapting to middle school both academically and in his social life.
both for academics and in socially.
academically and in his social life.
academics and in his social life.
both academically and socially.
both academcially and in his social life.
both academically and socially.
The two items in the underlined portion are paried together, and as such should have a parallel structure. The only answer choice that has such a structure is "both academically and socially."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
She loved a number of creative activities as a child, always trying painting, singing, or to dance.
always tries painting, singing, or to dance.
always try to paint, to sing, or to dance.
always painting, singing, or to dance.
always trying painting, singing, or to dance.
always trying to paint, to sing, or to dance.
always trying to paint, to sing, or to dance.
The list in the underlined portion needs a parallel structure in its items, but does not, with "to dance" being different in structure. Of all the answer choices, "always trying to paint, to sing, or to dance" features a correct parallel structure.
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