SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #241 : 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 important race was won by the incredibly fast horse, Big Chuck.
Big Chuck the incredibly fast horse won the important race.
The important race, was won by the incredibly fast horse, Big Chuck.
The important race was won by the incredibly fast horse, Big Chuck.
The important race was won by the incredibly fast horse, Big Chuck.
Big Chuck, the incredibly fast horse, won the important race.
Big Chuck, the incredibly fast horse, won the important race.
The sentence above, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice inverts the object and subject of a sentence, and is often less concise, and more confusing, than sentences framed in a direct, active voice. The best way to change the sentence above into active voice is, "Big Chuck, the incredibly fast horse, won the important race." Note that the correct version of the sentence includes an interrupting phrase, which must be contained within commas.
Example Question #233 : 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.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how the boxing coach would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
The boxing coach, eagerly sees how Mike and Jonas would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
Eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas to spar.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, were asked to spar by the boxing coach.
Eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas to spar.
The initial independent clause in the sentence, "Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach," uses passive voice ("were asked"); it becomes clearer when we use active voice ("the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas . . .").
Example Question #241 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice 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.
Nobody knew why it took so long for Jamel to arrive; he had drove there plenty of times before.
has drove
had drived
had drove
drived
had driven
had driven
Since the sentence is in past tense (indicated by "knew"), "had" is correct. The correct past participle of the verb "drive" is "driven." "Had driven" is the correct pairing and therefore the best improvement in this sentence.
Example Question #81 : Correcting 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Horses were domesticating by humans thousands of years ago.
were domesticated
were domesticating
domestication
domesticating
domesticated taking place
were domesticated
The sentence describes what humans did to horses in the past, a fact that needs to be reflected in the verb's tense and transitivity. The correct answer must indicate that the domesticating being discussed took place in the past and was done by humans to horses, leading to "were domesticated" as the only possible answer choice.
Example Question #716 : Sentence Correction
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.
As the suit was finished quickly, that it still needed alterations did not surprise Henry.
Henry was not surprised that it still needed alterations.
because it still needed alterations, which surprised Henry.
it still needed alterations, which did not surprise Henry.
that it still needed more alterations did not surprise Henry.
it was not surprising to Henry that it still needed alterations.
Henry was not surprised that it still needed alterations.
Avoid the passive voice of the original ("it still needed alterations") and choose the simplest answer which preserves the meaning of the original sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
In a prolonged effort to curb abuses, the governments reduce the amount in bonuses for arrests.
the governments to reduce
the governments reduction
the governments reduced
the governments reduce
the governments reduces
the governments reduced
The opening clause of the sentence notes a "prolonged effort," which indicates the government action has taken place over a long time period. The proper verb will either be in the past tense or show a long amount of time. "The governments reduced" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Celebrations begun in the school after it was announced they had won the championship.
began the school
begin the school
began in the school
begun by the school
begun in the school
began in the school
The underlined section of the sentence contains both a verb and a preposition, but the only issue lies in the present tense verb. The use of time in the sentence, "after they found out," indicates the celebrations took place in the past. "Began in the school," is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #131 : Usage Errors
Something strange occurs every night of the trip, which spooked the entire family.
Somethings strange occurs every night of the trip,
Something strange occurred every night of the trip,
Something strange occurs every nights of the trip,
Something strange occurring every night of the trip,
Something strange occurs every night of the trip,
Something strange occurred every night of the trip,
The sentence contains two complete thoughts, separated by the conjunction "which." This means the two verbs in each phrase need to have the same tense. As "spooked" is in the past tense, "Something strange occurred every night of the trip," is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Tense Errors
Politics has gains such a nasty tone in recent years that it has turned off many voters.
has gained such a nasty tone
has gains such nasty tone
has gains such a nasty tone
has gains a nasty tone
gains such a nasty tone
has gained such a nasty tone
The underlined phrase needs to be parallel to the later verb usage of "has turned off" later in the sentence. The underlined phrase then needs to similarly be in the past perfect tense. "Has gained such a nasty tone" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1181 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
All of the people know the costs of done business with the corrupt shopkeeper.
do business
does business
done business
doing business
business doing
doing business
The underlined phrase does not appropriately parallel the earlier verb use of "know" in the sentence. Thus, the correct answer choice needs to make the verb form into a present tense verb. "Doing business" is the best choice among the answers.
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