SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #123 : Verb Formation 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 boy was unlike his brothers, as he has a strong artistic side to his personality.
as he has got a strong artistic side to his personality.
as he having a strong artistic side to his personality.
as he had a strong artistic side to his personality.
as he have a strong artistic side to his personality.
as he has a strong artistic side to his personality.
as he had a strong artistic side to his personality.
The non-underlined portion of the sentence, which is the main body, contains a past tense verb, "was." This means that the underlined portion, a dependent clause, must use the past tense as well. As it is written, the sentence currently contains a present tense verb, "has." The only answer choice that fixes this issue is "as he had a strong artistic side to his personality."
Example Question #124 : Verb Formation 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 novel was a long rambling mess that often confuse readers.
The novel was a long rambling mess that often confuse readers.
The novel was a long rambling mess that often was confuse readers.
The novel was a long rambling mess that often confuses readers.
The novel was a long rambling mess that often confused readers.
The novel was a long rambling mess that often confusing readers.
The novel was a long rambling mess that often confused readers.
The use of "confuse" is incorrect, as it is a present tense, plural verb. As the subject of the sentence, "novel," is singular, and the main verb of the sentence, "was," is in past tense, so "confuse" should take on a past tense, singular form. The only answer choice featuring such a form is "The novel was a long rambling mess that often confused readers."
Example Question #125 : Verb Formation 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 fastest of all the runners receive a special commemorative trophy.
The fastest of all the runners receiving
The fastest of any of the runners receive
The fastest of all runners receive
The fastest of all the runners receive
The fastest of all the runners receives
The fastest of all the runners receives
The use of the plural verb "receive" is incorrect. Even though the verb is next to the plural "runners," it refers to the singular subject, "fastest." The verb needs to be changed to be in agreement with the subject of the sentence. "The fastest of all the runners receives" is the only answer choice that does this, so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #126 : Verb Formation 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.
For the first half of the show, no performers said any words, but remain completely silent throughout.
but remaining completely silent throughout.
but remain completely silent through it.
but remain completely silent throughout.
but remains completely silent throughout.
but remained completely silent throughout.
but remained completely silent throughout.
The underlined portion of the sentence includes a present tense verb, "remain," while the non-underlined portion of the sentence includes a past tense verb, "said." The two verbs must be in the same tense, as they describe action taking place at the same time. The only answer choice that corrects this issue is "but remained completely silent throughout."
Example Question #41 : 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.
After the party ended, the two talk for hours and hours, staying up until dawn.
the two talk for hours and hours, stays up until dawn.
the two talk for hours and hours, stay up until dawn.
the two talk for hours and hours, staying up until dawn.
the two talk for hours and hours staying up until dawn.
the two talked for hours and hours, staying up until dawn.
the two talked for hours and hours, staying up until dawn.
The use of the present tense verb "talk" goes against the introductory clause in the sentence, which places the sentence's action in the past. The main verb of the sentence needs to be in the past tense. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "the two talked for hours and hours, staying up until dawn."
Example Question #21 : Correcting Verb Tense 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 new recruit made enough mistakes in basic training that the sergeant believes he would never become a good soldier.
that the sergeant believing he would never
that that sergeant believes he would never
that the sergeant believes he would not ever
that the sergeant believed he would never
that the sergeant believes he would never
that the sergeant believed he would never
The use of the present tense verb "believes" in the underlined portion of the sentence is at odds with the main verb of the sentence, "made," which is in the past tense. "Believes" needs to be changed to the past tense form, making "that the sergeant believed he would never" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #22 : Correcting Verb Tense 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.
Even though Georgie was grown up, all of the adults kept calling him by his childhood nickname, which made him so angry that his blood was boiling.
which made him so angry that his boiling blood.
which made him so angry that his blood boil.
which made him so angry that was blood boiled.
which will make him so angry that his blood was boiling.
which made him so angry that his blood boiled.
which made him so angry that his blood boiled.
The sentence calls for the past tense of the verb "to boil" because it uses other past-tense verbs (like "made") to describe the action taking place.
Example Question #291 : 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.
The mystery only deepens after the new evidence came to light three years ago.
The mystery only deepens after the new evidence
The mystery only deepens after a new evidence
The mystery only deepens after new evidence
The mystery only deepens after the newer evidence
The mystery only deepened after the new evidence
The mystery only deepened after the new evidence
The phrase "three years ago" indicates that the action of the sentence's action happened in the past. Despite this, the sentence is written with the present tense verb "deepens," leading to confusion with the timing of the sentence. "The mystery only deepened after the new evidence" is the only answer choice that features a past tense verb, so it is the only answer choice that clears up this confusion.
Example Question #261 : 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.
The team had to work through the night cleared debris from the wreckage site.
through the night cleared debris' from the wreckage site.
through the night cleared debris from the wreckage site.
through the night clearing debris from the wreckage site.
through the night cleared debris at the wreckage site.
through the night cleared debris from the wreckage's site.
through the night clearing debris from the wreckage site.
The use of the past tense verb "cleared" in the sentence is confusing and incorrect. "Cleared" is not the main verb in the sentence, and should take some other verbal form. Using the gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun, the correct answer choice is "through the night clearing debris from the wreckage site."
Example Question #25 : Correcting Verb Tense 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 ancient Romans create a large network of paved roads that revolutionized travel in the ancient Mediterranean.
The ancient Romans create a large network of paved roads
The ancient Romans create large network of paved roads
The ancient Romans creates a large network of paved roads
The ancient Romans creating a large network of paved roads
The ancient Romans created a large network of paved roads
The ancient Romans created a large network of paved roads
The use of the present tense verb "create" is odd in this sentence, as the verb in the dependent clause is a past tense verb, "revolutionized." The two verbs should be in the same tense for the sentence to be logically correct. "The ancient Romans created a large network of paved roads" is the only answer choice to use the correct verb.
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