All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #101 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The science museum, one of my favorite places in the city was closed for repairs. No error
my
in the city was
repairs
museum, one
No error
in the city was
Here, "one of my favorite places in the city" is acting as an interrupting phrase, and should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Note that if the interrupting clause is NOT correctly separated from the sentence with two commas, but rather only one comma is used, it will result in a comma error by separating the subject ("the science museum") from the verb "was closed."
Example Question #102 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you wanted to be absolutely certain that there were no mistakes you should have overseen the details of the project yourself. No error
No error
yourself
should have overseen
If you wanted
no mistakes you
no mistakes you
"If you wanted to be absolutely certain that there were no mistakes" is an introductory phrase, and therefore it must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. The corrected sentence would read: "If you wanted to be absolutely certain that there were no mistakes, you should have overseen the details of the project yourself."
Example Question #103 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While I was out walking my dog it started to rain so hard I couldn't see. No error
to rain so hard
see.
While
No error
dog it
dog it
The sentence above contains a dependent clause (a clause that cannot stand on its own as a complete grammatical sentence). Dependent clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence, often using commas. This clause is also an introductory clause, and thus must be separated from the main clause with a comma after "dog." The best way to correct the sentence above is "While I was out walking my dog, it started to rain so hard I couldn't see."
Example Question #104 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After the rain stopped entirely I finally managed to get all of my groceries in. No error
entirely I
managed
After the rain
No error
all
entirely I
The sentence above contains a dependent introductory clause. Such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence. The best way to correct the sentence above is "After the rain stopped entirely, I finally managed to get all of my groceries in."
Example Question #105 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you don't stop being so rude in your classes you will get sent home before the end of the day. No error
day.
No error
If you
being
classes you
classes you
The sentence above contains a dependent introductory clause. Such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence. The best way to correct the sentence above is, "If you don't stop being so rude in your classes, you will get sent home before the end of the day."
Example Question #106 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When I walked in the woods I saw many beautiful creatures. No error
many
No error
creatures.
When I
woods I
woods I
The sentence above contains a dependent clause, a clause that cannot stand on its own as a grammatically complete sentence. "When I walked in the woods," is used as an introductory clause and thus must be separated from the rest of the sentence. The best way to correct the sentence above is "When I walked in the woods, I saw many beautiful creatures."
Example Question #107 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Frank Herbert one of my favorite writers of all time, is most famous for his Dune novels. NO ERROR
novels.
Herbert one
NO ERROR
famous
time,
Herbert one
In the sentence as written, the phrase "one of my favorite writers of all time" is an interrupting phrase. It should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. As such, there is a comma missing between "Herbert" and "one."
Example Question #101 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Whenever I get depressed I try to think of things that make me happy, like my dog Sam. NO ERROR
think of
happy, like
depressed I
me
NO ERROR
depressed I
In the sentence above, "Whenever I get depressed" acts as an introductory phrase. It should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
Example Question #3631 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When you go out this evening please be sure to lock the door. No error
sure to
this
No error
evening please
When
evening please
Introductory or interrupting phrases (i.e. phrases that are subordinate and add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being complete) must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. In the sentence above, "evening please" should read "evening, please" so that the introductory phrase is properly separated from the rest of the sentence.
Example Question #3632 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The great teacher exhausted by the impositions of the school board, had decided to retire early. No error
school board
The great teacher exhausted
by
No error
to
The great teacher exhausted
Introductory or interrupting phrases (i.e. phrases that are subordinate and add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being complete) must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. In the provided sentence, "The great teacher exhausted" should read "The great teacher, exhausted."
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