SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Voice 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 the novelist threw the draft into the trash, the crumpled paper was retrieved by his concerned assistant.
retrieved by his concerned assistant, who crumpled the paper.
his concerned assistant retrieved the crumpled paper.
his concerned assistant, retrieving the crumpled paper.
the crumpled paper was retrieved by his concerned assistant.
the crumpled paper had been retrieved by his concerned assistant.
his concerned assistant retrieved the crumpled paper.
Avoid the passive voice of the original ("the crumbled paper was retrieved") and choose the simplest answer that preserves the original meaning of the text.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Verb Voice 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 new boss was eagerly anticipating by the employees, because no one in the office knew what to expect.
was eager anticipation
was anticipating eagerly
eagerly anticipated
was eagerly anticipated
was eagerly anticipating
was eagerly anticipated
The context of the underlined phrase show it is actually a use of the passive voice, with the anticipation done "by the employees," not the new boss. Thus, the correct answer must feature a passive construction. "Was eagerly anticipated" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Verb Voice 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 ancient texts are often confused to people who do not understand their full context.
are often confusing
are often confused
are confused often
often are confused
confusing often are
are often confusing
The sentence is written as to make the texts be "confused," when the latter part of the sentence makes clear the people reading them are "confused." The word needs to be changed to a form that properly conveys this. "Are often confusing" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #91 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Under the old regime, liberties curtailed greatly.
Under the old regime, liberties curtailed greatly.
The old regime's liberties were greatly curtailed.
The old regime had liberties curtailing a great amount.
The old regime greatly curtailed liberties.
Under the old regime, liberties being curtailed greatly.
The old regime greatly curtailed liberties.
The underlined portion of the sentence contains a flaw in word order. To have the sentence make sense, the government, and not liberties, must be doing the curtailing. The only answer choice that correctly indicates that "the old regime" is the thing doing the curtailing without introducing errors into the sentence is "The old regime greatly curtailed liberties."
Example Question #3 : Correcting Verb 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.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion, although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion, although the most senior accountants were recognized normally only by Mr. Jones.
Mr. Jones gave Tom the most lucrative promotion although normally only he recognizes the most senior accountants.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion after Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants.
Although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants, he gave Tom the most lucrative promotion.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion, although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants.
Although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants, he gave Tom the most lucrative promotion.
The initial clause of the sentence, "Tom was given the most lucrative promotion," uses the passive voice; conventionally, altering this type of sentence to use active voice makes it clearer and more concise.
Example Question #11 : Verb Voice 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.
At the turn of the century, many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists.
At the scientist's turn of the century, they discovered many new advances in technology.
Scientists discovering many new advances in technology at the turn of the century.
At the turn of the century, scientists discovered many new advances in technology.
At the turn of the century, many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists.
Many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists at the turn of the century.
At the turn of the century, scientists discovered many new advances in technology.
This example shows how the active voice is preferred over the passive voice. The active voice constructs a much stronger sentence than the passive does.
Example Question #221 : Correcting Word Usage 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 first day of school was anticipated by the teacher of the students and also by their parents.
The first day of school was anticipated by the teacher of the students and also by their parents.
The first day of school was anticipated by the teacher, the students, and their parents.
The students, their parents, and the teacher all anticipated the first day of school.
The teacher, the teacher's students, and the students' parents all anticipated the first day of school.
The first day of school was to be anticipated by the students and their teacher, as well as their parents.
The students, their parents, and the teacher all anticipated the first day of school.
To avoid the passive "The first day of school was anticipated" and to eliminate unnecessary words, the sentence should read "The students, their parents, and the teacher all anticipated the first day of school."
Example Question #222 : Correcting Word Usage 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 reforms were made by Paul, the best king we've had in ages.
Paul made the best king in ages, reforms were done by him.
The reforms, were made by Paul, the best king we've had in ages.
The reforms were made by Paul; the best king we've had in ages.
Paul, the best king we've had in ages, made the reforms.
The reforms were made by Paul the best king we've had in ages.
Paul, the best king we've had in ages, made the reforms.
The sentence above, as originally written is in passive voice. It should be changed to the active voice, and the best way to do so is as follows: "Paul, the best king we've had in ages, made the reforms."
Example Question #223 : Correcting Word Usage 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 loudest barks were made by the biggest dogs.
The biggest dogs barked most loudly.
The most loudly barks were made by the biggest dogs.
The loud barks were made by the big dogs.
The loudest barks made the biggest dogs.
The loudest barks were made by the biggest dogs.
The biggest dogs barked most loudly.
The sentence above, as originally written, is in passive voice. It must be corrected to active voice, and the best way to do so is as follows: "The biggest dogs barked most loudly." Passive voice is not necessarily grammatically incorrect; however when used in the wrong situation it tends to be less precise, clear, and smooth than the active voice version of the same sentence.
Example Question #224 : Correcting Word Usage 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 rebellious soldiers were brought before the court by the general. No error
The rebellious soldiers were broughten before the court by the general.
The rebellious soldiers were brought before the court.
The rebellious soldiers brought the general before the court.
The general brought the rebellious soldiers before the court.
No error
The general brought the rebellious soldiers before the court.
The sentence, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice should, in the majority of cases, be changed to active voice. In most cases, the passive voice construction create a sentence structure that is unnecessarily confusing and imprecise. The best way to do so is, "The general brought the rebellious soldiers before the court."
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