SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #73 : 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.

Young professionals often make mistakes, but they also learned from them.

Possible Answers:

Young professionals often make mistakes but they also learned from them.

Young professionals often make mistakes, but they also learned from those.

Young professionals often make mistakes, they also learned from them.

Young professionals often make mistakes, but they also learn from them.

Young professionals often make mistakes, but they also learning from them.

Correct answer:

Young professionals often make mistakes, but they also learn from them.

Explanation:

The sentence employs both the present-tense verb "make" and the past-tense verb "learned." Both of these verbs need to agree and employ the same tense. The only answer choice that correctly adjusts the tenses of the sentence's verbs is "Young professionals often make mistakes, but they also learn from them."

Example Question #433 : 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.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studied physics before her final exam the next morning.

Possible Answers:

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night; studying physics before her final exam the next morning.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studied physics before her final exam the next morning.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night, and studying physics before her final exam the next morning.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: and that was studying physics before her final exam the next morning.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studying physics before her final exam the next morning.

Correct answer:

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studying physics before her final exam the next morning.

Explanation:

This sentence is structured as an independent clause about a priority and then a clarification of what that priority is.

The only appropriate punctuation here is a colon, which will provide that correct structural division and allow the second part of the sentence ("studying physics before her final exam the next morning") to act as an explanation of the noun "priority."

 

INCORRECT EXPLANATIONS:

A semicolon connects two separate independent clauses, so that is incorrect.

Janine's priority is "studying," which is a gerund, so the past tense "studied" is incorrect. 

The option that uses a comma is incorrect because the second clause is dependent and is lacking a subject.

The option that uses a colon unnecessarily includes the connector "and that was." These superfluous words cloud the sentence's meaning and make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Avoiding the controversial topic for as long as possible, the congressman speaking for a long time on other subjects.

Possible Answers:

speaking for a long time for other subjects.

speaking for a long time on other subjects.

spoke for a long time on other subjects.

speaking for a long while for other subjects.

speaking for a long while on other subjects.

Correct answer:

spoke for a long time on other subjects.

Explanation:

While the underline dportion is a slightly long phrase, the only real grammatical problem is the verb form "speaking," which indicates an active, present verb, when the sentence's construction shows it needs a past tense verd. Therefore, the correct answer is "spoke for a long time on other subjects.."

Example Question #112 : 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.

Classic comedies have withstood the test of time to remaining popular.

Possible Answers:

to remains popular.

to remains popular.

remaining popular.

to remain popular.

remains popular.

Correct answer:

to remain popular.

Explanation:

The underlined phrase takes the form of an infinitive verb phrase, meaning "to remaining" is an incorrect construction. The appropriate form of an infinitive is "to remain," making "to remain popular" the correct answer.

Example Question #74 : 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.

In most understandings, the law was never wrote to provide for such actions.

Possible Answers:

had never written

was never wrote

was never quite wrote

was not wrote

was never written

Correct answer:

was never written

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence has a verb issue. "Wrote" is the past tense of the verb "to write," which is inappropriate in the sentence's construction. The perfect tense "written" must be used; therefore, "was never written" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1563 : Act English

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.

Sal, who purchasing stocks five years ago when the recession hit, is now reaping the benefits of his patience.

Possible Answers:

having been purchased stocks five years ago when the recession hit

had purchased stocks five years ago when the recession hit

purchasing stocks five years ago when the recession hit

purchased stocks five years ago when the recession hit

has been purchasing stocks five years ago when the recession hit

Correct answer:

purchased stocks five years ago when the recession hit

Explanation:

The word, purchasing, is incorrect, and must be changed to it's past tense, purchased, for the sentence to make sense.

Example Question #1564 : Act English

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.

Various theories were proposed, but none prove satisfactory to the investigators.

Possible Answers:

 none proving satisfactory

 none prove satisfactory

 nothing prove satisfactory

 none proved satisfactory

 nothing proving satisfactory

Correct answer:

 none proved satisfactory

Explanation:

The verb in the underlined portion of the sentence is in the present tense, while the verb in the first part of the sentence is in the past tense. The two verbs need to match their tenses due to the construction of the sentence. The correct answer choice is " none proved satisfactory."

Example Question #161 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Although he was suspicious of the deal, the negotiator knew he has to accept what he was offered or get nothing at all.

Possible Answers:

the negotiator knew he has to accepted

the negotiator knew he is accepting

the negotiator knew he had to accept

the negotiator knew he has to accept

the negotiator knew he having to accept

Correct answer:

the negotiator knew he had to accept

Explanation:

The issue with the underlined sentence is quite simple, with the verb form "knew," a past tense construction, being at odds with "has," a present tense form. These need to work together, making the correct answer choice "the negotiator knew he had to accept."

Example Question #162 : Verb Formation Errors

The filmmaker's stated intention to shock his audiences with scenes of horror and violence.

Possible Answers:

The filmmaker's statement of intention to shock

The filmmaker's stated intent to shock

The filmmaker's stated intention was to shock

The filmmakers stated intention to shock

The filmmaker's stated intention shocking

Correct answer:

The filmmaker's stated intention was to shock

Explanation:

The sentence as written actually contains no verb, as "stated" is used as an adjective to describe "intention," and the infinitive form "to shock" needs some form of the verb "to be." The only answer choice that remedies the lack of a verb is "The filmaker's stated intention was to shock," and is the correct answer.

Example Question #163 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Traditionally, movie audiences shown favor towards lighter fare.

Possible Answers:

Traditionally, movie audiences showing favor towards lighter fare.

Traditional, movie audiences shown favor towards lighter fare.

Traditionally, movie audiences have shown favor towards lighter fare.

Traditionally, movie audiences show of favor towards lighter fare.

Traditionally, movie audiences shown favor towards lighter fare.

Correct answer:

Traditionally, movie audiences have shown favor towards lighter fare.

Explanation:

"Shown" is a past perfect verb, and any past perfect construction cannot stand alone as the verb in the sentence without a helping verb, also known as an auxilary verb. The past perfect verb "shown" needs to be accompanied by the verb "have" to make it a complete verbal phrase. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "Traditionally, movie audiences have shown favor towards lighter fare."

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