SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Question #171 : Improving Sentences
Magicians use the fact people having trouble focusing on multiple things at once to fool their audiences.
had trouble focusing
having trouble focusing
having trouble focus
having troubles focused
have trouble focusing
have trouble focusing
The underlined words are a compound verb, or multiple words that function as one verb in the sentence. These still need to follow a correct tense and form, which is not done with just "having" being placed after people. "Have trouble focusing" is the best way to improve the sentences among the answer choices.
Example Question #172 : Improving Sentences
The young family was heavily reliance on the kindness of strangers.
was heavy reliant
was heavily relianced
was heavy reliance
was heavily reliant
was heavily reliance
was heavily reliant
The word "reliance" is inappropriate in the context of this sentence as it indicates the relationship of relying. "Reliant," in contrast, Connors the state of being; therefore, the correct answer choice is "was heavily reliant."
Example Question #421 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Rita began work on the project last year, but she has yet to reach completion.
it has yet to reach completion.
she has yet to complete it.
she is still yet to be completed.
she has yet to reach completion.
it is not at completion yet.
she has yet to complete it.
The original sentence is wordy and awkward. The correct answer is concise, active, and clear.
Example Question #632 : Usage Errors
Being that he passed the driver’s test, Timothy was looking forward to getting his license.
If he had passed
For passing
Being that he passed
Having passed
Passing
Having passed
Sentences rarely start with “being.” Furthermore, "having passed" conveys the timing and cause of events with more precision.
Example Question #561 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
For amateur swimmers, or those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
No improvement necessary.
For amateur swimmers, which are swimmers that are lacking in swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who lack swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who have a lack of experience, which is in swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, meaning those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who lack swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
The improved sentence is better than the original because it cuts out unnecessary words, changing "or those who are lacking," to "or those who lack." This change also avoids having the same word next to itself, as was the case in "swimming, swimming." Although there was nothing grammatically wrong with this sentence, there was room for stylistic improvement, which was made.
Example Question #562 : 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.
In no uncertain terms, the principal outlawing the use of live models for art classes.
outlawing using
outlawing the use
outlawed using
outlawed the use
outlaw using
outlawed the use
The best clue to the correct answer is the fact "of" is not underlined, indicating the form must stay as "the use." The only issue is the form of "outlawing," which cannot be used with the subject of "the principal" as a verb on its own. "Outlawed the use" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #561 : 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 young girl was surprisingly involving in the decisions her parents made.
was surprising involving
was surprisingly involving
was surprised involving
was surprising involved
was surprisingly involved
was surprisingly involved
The underlined portion of the sentence has an odd verb usage in the word "involving." The sentence actually needs a past tense verb to make appropriate sense. "Was surprisingly involved" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #564 : 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.
Having eaten little food while lost at sea, the sailors attacking their meal upon arrival on dry land.
the sailors attacked their meal
the sailor's attacking their meal
the sailors attacking their meal
the sailors attacking their own meal
the sailors' attacking their meal
the sailors attacked their meal
The use of the word "attacking" is actually not a verb in the sentence, but a gerund, that is a verb form that can be used as a noun. The word needs to be turned into the appropriate verb form. "The sailors attacked their meal" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #171 : 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 reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The many problems accruing in the project seeming to get worse over time.
seeming to getting worse over time.
seeming to get worse over time.
have been seemed to get worse over time.
have seeming to get worse over time.
seemed to get worse over time.
seemed to get worse over time.
The use of the verb "seeming" in the sentence makes the sentence incomplete. As "seeming" is a gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun, there is actually no verb in the sentence. The correct answer is "seemed to get worse over time."
Example Question #891 : 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.
Having seen many natural wonders in his life, the general was still astonishing at the massive waterfall.
also astonishing at the massive waterfall.
still astonishing at the massive waterfall.
still astonished at the massive waterfall.
still astonishing to the massive waterfall.
still astonishing in the massive waterfall.
still astonished at the massive waterfall.
The "waterfall" makes the "general" have a feeling of astonishment. The sentence as written makes this quite confusing. To make it correct grammatically, the form of the word needs to be something the general does. "Still astonished at the massive waterfall" is the correct answer choice.
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