SAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #81 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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.
This bread is so good, it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; but it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good or it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good, it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; and it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; it's like eating a delicious sponge.
This bread is so good; it's like eating a delicious sponge.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. The only correct answer option simply replaces the comma with a semicolon.
Example Question #3763 : 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 reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I've really enjoyed my time working with you these last few years, it's time for me to move on to greener pastures.
I've really enjoyed my time working with you these last few years, but it's time for me to move on to greener pastures.
I've really enjoyed my time working with you these last few years; and it's time for me to move on to greener pastures.
I've really enjoyed my time working with you these last few years; but its time for me to move on to greener pastures.
I've really enjoyed my time working with you these last few years, it's time for me to move on to greener pastures.
I've really enjoyed my time working with you these last few years but it's time for me to move on to greener pastures.
I've really enjoyed my time working with you these last few years, but it's time for me to move on to greener pastures.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The only correct option uses the coordinating conjunction "but," as the second clause contradicts the sentiment of first.
Example Question #3764 : 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 reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I took my very good friend out to lunch, it was hard to hear each other over the bustle of the crowd.
I took my very good friend out to lunch, it's was hard to hear each other over the bustle of the crowd.
I took my very good friend out to lunch, and its was hard to hear each other over the bustle of the crowd.
I took my very good friend out to lunch, it was hard to hear each other over the bustle of the crowd.
I took my very good friend out to lunch, and it was hard to hear each other over the bustle of the crowd.
I took my very good friend out to lunch; and it was hard to hear each other over the bustle of the crowd.
I took my very good friend out to lunch, and it was hard to hear each other over the bustle of the crowd.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. The only correct option adds the coordinating conjunction "and" after the comma.
Example Question #3761 : 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 reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
A chef's life is extraordinarily difficult, it involves an incredible amount of hard work and dedication.
A chef's life is extraordinarily difficult; but it involves an incredible amount of hard work and dedication.
A chef's life is extraordinarily difficult; it involves an incredible amount of hard work and dedication.
A chef's life is extraordinarily difficult; and it involves an incredible amount of hard work and dedication.
A chef's life is extraordinarily difficult; while it involves an incredible amount of hard work and dedication.
A chef's life is extraordinarily difficult, it involves an incredible amount of hard work and dedication.
A chef's life is extraordinarily difficult; it involves an incredible amount of hard work and dedication.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. The only correct answer option simply replaces the comma with a semicolon.
Example Question #3762 : 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 reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
My great teacher taught me a lot, she was not great at making people feel understood.
My great teacher taught me a lot: and she was not great at making people feel understood.
My great teacher taught me a lot, she was not great at making people feel understood.
My great teacher taught me a lot; and she was not great at making people feel understood.
My great teacher taught me a lot, but she was not great at making people feel understood.
My great teacher taught me a great deal, she was not great at making people feel understood.
My great teacher taught me a lot, but she was not great at making people feel understood.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. Since the sentence indicates a contradiction, the best choice is to add the coordinating conjunction "but" to the example sentence.
Example Question #81 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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.
It's incredibly frustrating to me when people aren't loyal, it's my least favorite thing.
It's incredibly frustrating to me when people aren't loyal, or it's my least favorite thing.
It's incredibly frustrating to me when people aren't loyal; and it's my least favorite thing.
It's incredibly frustrating to me when people aren't loyal; it's my least favorite thing.
It's incredibly frustrating to me when people aren't loyal, it's my least favorite thing.
It's incredibly frustrating to me when people aren't loyal, but it's my least favorite thing.
It's incredibly frustrating to me when people aren't loyal; it's my least favorite thing.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. The best way to correct this sentence is to replace the comma with a semicolon.
Example Question #82 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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 really enjoy spending time outdoors, lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, but lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors; and lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, but lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasantly.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, but lately the weather has been incredibly hot and not altogether pleasant.
Comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. Since the sentence above expresses a contradiction, the best way to connect the two independent clauses is to add the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma.
Example Question #91 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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.
You have been really grouchy lately, it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately, it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately; and it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately... and it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately, and it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
You have been really grouchy lately, and it's causing a lot of people to dislike you intensely.
Comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. The only correct option provided adds the coordinating conjunction "and" after the comma.
Example Question #1592 : 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've been feeling rather depressed lately, a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately; and a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately; a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately, a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately but a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately, or a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
I've been feeling rather depressed lately; a good joke and an afternoon with an old friend would go a long way towards making me feel better.
Comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In this case, the most concise and grammatically correct option is to simply replace the comma with a semicolon.
Example Question #351 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week, I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week; and I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week; I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week; but I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week, I would love for you to come with me.
My favorite musical is playing in town next week; I would love for you to come with me.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon with no accompanying conjunction. The only correct answer option fixes this error by simply replacing the comma with a semicolon.
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