SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Other Pronoun 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 report was immediately given to himself when I was done reading it.

Possible Answers:

gave to himself 

given to himself 

given for himself 

giving to himself 

given to him

Correct answer:

given to him

Explanation:

The use of the reflexive pronoun "himself" is incorrect in the sentence as a reflexive pronoun needs to refer back to an earlier use of the regular pronoun of the same person. The pronoun needs to be changed to the simple "him," making "given to him" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #41 : 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.

Are you mad about me going to the party with them?

Possible Answers:

Are you mad about my going to the party with them?

Are you mad with them going to the party about me?

Are you mad about the going of the party of me with them?

(No changes to original.)

Are you mad about the party?

Correct answer:

Are you mad about my going to the party with them?

Explanation:

When the "–ing" form of a verb is used as a noun (called a "gerund"), the pronoun immediately preceding it should be in the possessive form.

Example Question #42 : 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.

Wealthy patrons often give anonymous gifts because identities are protected.

Possible Answers:

because identities be protected.

so their identities are protected.

so identities are protected.

because identities are protected.

because their identities protection.

Correct answer:

so their identities are protected.

Explanation:

The sentence as written is incorrect because it does not specify what or whose "identities are protected" by "anonymous gifts." The correct answer needs to at least refer back to the "wealthy patrons" in order to explain their behavior. "So their identities are protected" is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #2381 : 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.

The board only requires you to attend this meeting.

Possible Answers:

only requires yourself

only require you

only requires you

requires only yourself

requires just yourself

Correct answer:

only requires you

Explanation:

The sentence is correct as it is written. The use of "you" in this sentence is proper instead of "yourself," because "yourself" is a reflexive pronoun, meaning it needs to refer back to an earlier use of "you." 

Example Question #2382 : 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.

There is many issues with the prosecution's case against the mafia leader.

Possible Answers:

There are

That is

These have

There is

Those are

Correct answer:

There are

Explanation:

The verb in the underlined portion is used with the "many issues," a plural. Therefore, the verb needs to be plural. Also, the word beginning the sentence needs to appropriately reference the "many issues." "There are" is the only answer choice that fits both criteria.

Example Question #45 : 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.

This has been a favorite band of me for a while.

Possible Answers:

Of I, this has been a favorite band for a while.

This has been a favorite band of myself's for a while.

Of myself for a while, this has been a favorite band.

For a while, this has been one of mine favorite bands.

This band has been a favorite of mine for a while.

Correct answer:

This band has been a favorite of mine for a while.

Explanation:

Instead of using the first-person objective pronoun "me," the first-person possessive pronoun "mine" should be used in order to imply ownership of opinion in this sentence. So, the correct answer is, "This band has been a favorite of mine for a while."

Example Question #2041 : 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.

If you ever see someone walking along this street at night trying to hitch a ride, make sure you don't pick them up.

Possible Answers:

them

him and her

him or her

they

he

Correct answer:

him or her

Explanation:

"Someone" is singular, so a singular pronoun must be used to refer back to it. Because "someone" can be male or female, it's best to use the phrase "him or her."

Example Question #81 : 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.

After the team had them first big victory, the coach decided to go out for a celebration pizza dinner.

Possible Answers:

his

them

its

it's

their

Correct answer:

its

Explanation:

"Team" is a singular word, so "them" must be replaced by a singular possessive pronoun.

Example Question #42 : 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.

Your sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?

Possible Answers:

Your sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?

Your sure you're dad told you what time you're mom would be home tonight, right?

You're sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?

You're sure you're dad told you what time you're mom would be home tonight, right?

You're sure your dad told you what time you're mom would be home tonight, right?

Correct answer:

You're sure your dad told you what time your mom would be home tonight, right?

Explanation:

The first underlined part can be broken apart into "you are," and calls for the use of the contraction "you're;." The second two cases are possessives, and call for the use of "your."

Example Question #81 : 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.

In order to decrease scrutiny, the organization began holding all there press conferences in secret.

Possible Answers:

all of there press conferences in secret.

all their press conferences in secret.

all they are press conferences in secret.

all there press conferences in secret.

all they're press conferences in secret.

Correct answer:

all their press conferences in secret.

Explanation:

The use of "there," which means a particular place, is incorrect in this sentence. The sentence is written in a way to indicate that "there" should be the third person plural possessive pronoun, "their." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "all their press conferences in secret."

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