SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #102 : Correcting 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.
I have to admit, although Paul is a good golfer, Johnny is best.
I have to admit although Paul is a good golfer, Johnny is best.
I have to admit, although Paul is a good golfer, Johnny is better.
I have to admit, although Paul is a good golfer Johnny is best.
I have to admit although Paul is a good golfer Johnny is best.
I have to admit, although Paul is a good golfer, Johnny is best.
I have to admit, although Paul is a good golfer, Johnny is better.
When you are comparing only two things, you must use the comparative construction of the adjective or adverb in question. When you are comparing three or more things, or an indefinite number of things, you must use the superlative construction instead. Since only two golfers are being compared, the best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "I have to admit, although Paul is a good golfer, Johnny is better."
Example Question #66 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
I don't care for strawberries, but apples are my absolute less favorite fruit.
I don't care for strawberries, but apples are my absolute lesser favorite fruit.
I don't care for strawberries, but apples are my absolute less favoriter fruit.
I don't care for strawberries, but apples are my absolute least favorite fruit.
I don't care for strawberries, but apples are my absolute favoritest fruit.
I don't care for strawberries, but apples are my absolute less favorite fruit.
I don't care for strawberries, but apples are my absolute least favorite fruit.
In the example sentence, two kinds of fruit are named, but they are not directly compared to one another. Instead, the second clause distinguishes "apples" as the author's "favorite" of all kinds of fruit. Thus, the superlative, NOT the comparative, is required. The correct version of the sentence reads, "I don't care for strawberries, but apples are my absolute least favorite fruit."
Example Question #711 : 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.
I find that people with accents are difficult to understand, but it's most difficult to understand people who mumble.
I find that people with accents are difficult to understand, but it's more difficult to understand people who mumble.
I find that people with accents are difficult to understand, but it's mostest difficult to understand people who mumble.
I find that people with accents are difficult to understand, but it's most difficult to understand people who mumble.
I find that people with accents are difficult to understand, but its most difficult to understand people who mumble.
I find that people with accents are difficult to understand, but it's mostly difficult to understand people who mumble.
I find that people with accents are difficult to understand, but it's more difficult to understand people who mumble.
In the sentence above, the level of difficulty inherent to understand people with accents and those who mumble are directly compared, thus "most" should be changed to "more."
Note also that "it's" is a contraction of "it is," and is correctly used in both the example sentence and the correct answer option.
Example Question #1492 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
Less people threw they're support behind the politician as more of his personal issues were revealed.
Less people through they're support
Fewer people threw their support
Less people threw there support
Less peoples threw they're support
Fewer people threw they're support
Fewer people threw their support
The use of "they're" is incorrect in the sentence. "They're" is a contraction for "they are," while the sentence needs the third person plural possessive pronoun, "their." "Fewer people threw their support" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1 : 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 girls were always challenging their father's rules for every opportunity.
their father's rules for every opportunity.
their father's rules at every opportunity.
their father's rules on every opportunity.
their father's rules onto every opportunity.
their father's rules in every opportunity.
their father's rules at every opportunity.
The use of the preposition "for" in the sentence is odd, and does not properly reflect what the girls are doing. The preposition should be changed to indicate that they challenged during certain moments. The preposition that best shows this is "at," making the correct answer choice "their father's rules at every opportunity."
Example Question #4 : Correcting Preposition 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.
While I really enjoy studying the French language, I would also like to try and learn some Portuguese as well.
I would also like to try learning some Portuguese.
I would also like to try and learn some Portuguese as well.
I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese.
I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese as well.
I would also like to try and learn some Portuguese.
I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese.
Only the preposition “to” can follow the verb “to try.” It isn’t necessary to include the “as well” because “also” means the same thing; the original phrasing is redundant.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
She would frequently compare her mother with the most loving of saints.
to the most loving of saints.
with most loving of saints.
with saints that are the most loving.
with the most loving of saints.
to most loving of saints.
to the most loving of saints.
The grammatical error in the underlined portion is the use of the word "with." Comparisons are not done "with" something else, but "to" something else. The correct answer choice is "to the most loving of saints."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Grammatical 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 amount of people living in the area was still a matter of much debate in researchers.
in researchers.
around researchers.
around research.
among research.
among researchers.
among researchers.
The underlined elements of the sentence have an issue with the usage of the preposition before researchers. The debate happens from one researcher to the next, and the correct preposition would indicate this. "Among researchers" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
Questions are rarely asked by students in an imposing teacher.
to an imposing teacher.
in an imposing teacher.
through an imposing teacher.
in a teacher imposing.
by an imposing teacher.
to an imposing teacher.
The underlined portion of the sentence has an odd use of the preposition "in." The questions are actually being asked by students, directed at the teacher, and the preposition needs to reflect this; therefore, "to an imposing teacher" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Grammatical 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 the past, corporations had very few restrictions on what they had to pay from employee's wages.
for pay from employees' wages.
to pay from employees' wages.
to pay on employees' wages.
to pay for employees' wages.
to pay from employees' wage.
to pay for employees' wages.
The use of the preposition "from" in the sentence is very odd. The correct preposition needs to indicate the the "wages" are something the "corporations" give to the "employees." The answer choice that best reflexts this is "to pay for employees' wages."
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