SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #36 : Correcting Verb Mood 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 great teacher demands that all his students are attentive when he speaks.
The great teacher demands that all his students be attentive when he speaks.
The great teacher demands that all his students be attentive; when he speaks.
The great teacher demands that all his students are attentive when he speaks.
The great teacher demands that all his students are attentive, when he speaks.
The great teacher demands that all his students is attentive when he speaks.
The great teacher demands that all his students be attentive when he speaks.
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the word "demands" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. A demand is considered an unreal condition requiring the subjunctive mood. The sentence should read, "The great teacher demands that all his students be attentive when he speaks."
Example Question #1 : New Sat Writing And Language
There are two different ways to consider the so-called “Dark Ages.” On the one hand, you can think of the period directly after the fall of the Roman Empire, when civilization began to collapse throughout the Western Empire. On the other hand, you can consider the period that followed this initial collapse of society. It is a gross simplification too use the adjective dark to describe the civilization of either of these periods.
As regards the first period, it is quite a simplification to consider this period to be a single historical moment. It is not as though the civilization switched off like a lightbulb. At one moment light and then, at the next, dark. Instead, the decline of civilization occurred over a period of numerous decades and was, in fact, already occurring for many years before the so-called period of darkness. Thus, the decline of civilization was not a rapid collapse into barbarism, but instead, was a slow alteration of the cultural milieu of a partition of Europe. Indeed, the Eastern Roman Empire retained much of it’s culture.
More importantly, the period following the slow collapse of the Western Empire was much less “dark” than almost every popular telling states. Indeed, even during the period of decline, the seeds for cultural restoration was being sown. A key element of this cultural revival were the formation of monastic communities throughout the countryside of what we now know as Europe. Although these were not the only positive forces during these centuries, the monasteries had played an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance.
How should the underlined section be changed?
Although these were not the only positive forces during these centuries, the monasteries will play an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance
Although these were not the only positive forces during these centuries, the monasteries had played an important role in preserving, and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance
NO CHANGE
Although these were not the only positive forces during these centuries, the monasteries will have played an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance
Although these were not the only positive forces during these centuries, the monasteries would play an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance
Although these were not the only positive forces during these centuries, the monasteries would play an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance
The problem with the sentence, as written, is its misuse of the past perfect form "had played." We use the past perfect when we refer to things that are further in the past than are other past-tense verbs in the sentence. For example, you could say, "After he had brushed his teeth, he went to bed." This indicates that the person first brushed his teeth then went to bed.
For this sentence, you need to indicate that with the passage of years, the monasteries would play an important role. The future tense ("will play") is not completely appropriate, as we are not talking about the future relative to the rest of the narrative of the passage. Thus, it is a little clearer if we use the conditional "would." This expresses that, given the "condition" of years passing, the monasteries would play an important role in the preservation of culture.
Example Question #221 : 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 cheese was given to the child by the parent, who then complained that it was too smelly to eat.
The cheese was given to the child by the parent
The child gave by the parent the cheese
To the child the cheese was given by the parent
The cheese by the parent was given to the child
The parent gave the cheese to the child
The parent gave the cheese to the child
The correct answer choice ("The cheese was given to the child by the parent") uses the active voice instead of the passive voice and makes the most grammatical sense in the sentence. Sometimes the passive voice is necessary, but when it is not necessary, it should be avoided.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Intelligence is a trait that is actually quite difficult to measure, despite much different attempts to do so.
despite many different attempts to do so.
despite much different attempts to do it.
despite the much different attempts to do so.
despite much different attempting to do so.
despite much different attempts to do so.
despite many different attempts to do so.
The use of "much" in the sentence is incorrect, as "much" indicates a great amount, but not a large count, and should be used for singular nouns. The correct choice should have the word "many" instead of "much." The only answer choice that makes this chnage is "despite many different attempts to do so."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Highway construction involves a great deal of planning, as it can be quite unpredictably.
as it can be quite unpredictably.
if it can be quite unpredictably.
if it can be quite unpredictable.
as it can be very unpredictably.
as it can be quite unpredictable.
as it can be quite unpredictable.
The use of the adverb "unpredictably" is incorrect in the sentence, as it describes a noun and should be an adjective. Otherwise, the sentence is absolutely correct; therefore, the best answer choice is "as it can be unpredictable."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
Just as animals run when frightened, humans often have a strongly desire to flee when panicked.
have a strongly desire
have strong desire
have a strong desire
had strongly desires
had a strong desire
have a strong desire
The underlined portion of the sentence problematically contains a misused adverb, "strongly." This needs to be turned into an adjective to appropriately describe "desire." "Have a strong desire" is the only answer choice that does this and is fully gramatically correct.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
Under normal circumstances, the family would have never driven up to the frighteningly looking motel.
for the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frighteningly looked motel.
to the frighteningly looking motel.
to a frighteningly looking motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
The use of the word "frighteningly" is absolutely incorrect, as it is an adverb being used to describe a gerund, or a verb that takes the form of a noun, in "looking." Gerunds need to be modified with an adjective. Therefore, "to the frightening looking motel" is the correct answer.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Few people will ever remember too many detail from their early childhood.
many detail
too much details
too much detail
much details
too many detail
too much detail
The two words "many" and "much" mean the same thing, "a lot of," but are used in two distinct ways. "Many" is used exclusively with counting nouns, while "much" is used with noncounting nouns; therefore, when used with "detail," "much" is correct, while "many" would be correct with "details."
Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Until you completely comprehend the message of the author’s first novel, you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.
otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
The answer choice "otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect because it leaves the sentence with no independent clause.
In the answer choice "you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel," "equal" is an adjective, but you must choose an adverb that modifies the adjective “poignant." "Equally" is the correct form, so this answer choice is incorrect.
The answer choice "only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel," is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect. You must pick an independent clause.
In the answer choice "you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel,"the past tense form of “did appreciate” does not agree with the insubordinate clause, which indicates that something will happen in the future (after you comprehend the message). The appropriate choice should indicate somethign that occurrs in the future, so this answer choice is incorrect.
The answer choice "you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is a future-tense independent clause with the appropriate adverb form of "equally." It is correct!
Example Question #692 : 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.
Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers in simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.
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