SAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #241 : 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 rains came so hard that there football game had to be delayed.
there football games
their football game
there football game
there own football game
they're football game
their football game
The use of "there" is absolutely incorrect in this sentence. What should be used is the third person plural possessive pronoun "their; therefore, "their football game" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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.
Over the course of history, powerful people have always asserted their selves when a crisis has occurred.
them
their self
their selves
themselves
their selfs
themselves
"Their selves" means essentially their independent identities, and is not a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the "powerful people" Therefore, the correct answer is "themselves," which is just such a reflexive pronoun.
Example Question #50 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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.
Few domesticated animals have the ability to fend for themselves without humans providing for themselves.
providing for themselves
providing themselves
provide for themselves
providing for them
provide for them
providing for them
"Themselves" is a referential pronoun, and the structure of the sentence would make it refer to "humans." For the sentence to make sense, the pronoun needs to indicate "domesticated animals" are the ones being provided for. "Providing for them" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1681 : Sat Writing
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.
After the essay is written, please deliver a copy to ourselves.
to us
for ourselves
to ours
in ourselves
to ourselves
to us
The use of "ourselves" is incorrect, as it is a referential pronoun, meaning that the word must refer to an earlier use of the first person plural pronoun. The use at the end of the sentence is the first one, and should not be a referential pronoun. "To us" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1682 : Sat Writing
The long term failure of the treaty was largely assumed to be due to it's unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to it's unfavorable agreements toward the weaker party.
due to it's unfavorable agreements among the weaker party.
because its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to it's unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
due to its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party.
The sentence has an issue with the use of "it's" in the underlined portion. "It's" can only mean "it is" and never be the possessive, which can only be "its;" therefore, the correct answer choice is "due to its unfavorable agreements for the weaker party."
Example Question #802 : Word Usage Errors
In the sentence below, select the phrasing of the underlined portion that produces the best sentence.
The physics conference, an annual gathering of elite minds, was the highlight of the year for forty world-class professors and myself.
both for me as well as forty world-class professors.
for forty world-class professors and me.
for forty world-class professors as well as for myself.
for forty world-class professors, including myself.
for forty world-class professors and myself.
for forty world-class professors and me.
Never use "myself" as a simple subject (for "I") or object (for "me")—it should only be used in very particular circumstances. Use "myself" (and other pronouns ending in "self") only reflexively (where the subject and object are the same person, as in "I see myself") or to add emphasis ("I myself was there!").
Example Question #51 : Correcting Usage Errors
Everybody knows someone who has hated themself.
someone who hates themself.
people who hate themself.
people who have hated themselves.
someone who having hated themselves.
people having hated themselves.
people who have hated themselves.
The problem with the underlined portion is the conflation of "someone" and "themself." This confusingly places a plural, "them," into a singular form to match it with "someone." To clean up this awkward phrasing, the best choice among the answers is "people who have hated themselves."
Example Question #61 : Improving Sentences
Suddenly, the hikers saw the mountain lion on the trail ahead of there path.
in the trail ahead of there path.
on the trail ahead of there path.
on the trail ahead of their path.
on the trail ahead there path.
on the trail up ahead of there path.
on the trail ahead of their path.
The underlined portion of the sentence needs one change to one word. "There," indicating a location, should be changed to "their," the third person plural possessive. Thus, "on the trail up ahead of their path" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #81 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
When you are done with the book, please bring it to myself.
for myself.
unto myself.
to myself.
to I.
to me.
to me.
The use of "myself" in the sentence is incorrect, as "myself" is a referential pronoun, but has nothing in the sentence to refer to earlier in the sentence; therefore, "to me" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #805 : Word Usage Errors
Fine tuning the book took a great deal of time due to it's massive length.
due to it is massive length.
due to it's massive length.
due to its massive length.
due to it's massive longevity.
because of it's massive length.
due to its massive length.
The use of the word "it's" is incorrect in the sentence, as "it's" is only the contraction of "it is." The possessive form is always "its," making the correct answer "due to its massive length."
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