Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors - PSAT Writing
Card 1 of 40
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, and she could not be bothered to practice every day. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, and she could not be bothered to practice every day. No error.
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The logic of this sentence calls for a different conjunction. Since the two parts of the sentence are contradictory, “but” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, but she could not be bothered to practice every day."
The logic of this sentence calls for a different conjunction. Since the two parts of the sentence are contradictory, “but” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, but she could not be bothered to practice every day."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Defying all expectations, the space shuttle reentered the atmosphere at 3:57, that was three whole minutes ahead of schedule. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Defying all expectations, the space shuttle reentered the atmosphere at 3:57, that was three whole minutes ahead of schedule. No error
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence has a clunky dependent clause tacked on the end. We can make it sound better by taking out some words and making it an appositive phrase: "Defying all expectations, the space shuttle reentered the atmosphere at 3:57, three whole minutes ahead of schedule." Or, alternatively, one could also change "that was" to "which was," but one introduce a phrase that provides additional information about a subject and follows a comma with "that"; one should use "which" instead in this instance.
This sentence has a clunky dependent clause tacked on the end. We can make it sound better by taking out some words and making it an appositive phrase: "Defying all expectations, the space shuttle reentered the atmosphere at 3:57, three whole minutes ahead of schedule." Or, alternatively, one could also change "that was" to "which was," but one introduce a phrase that provides additional information about a subject and follows a comma with "that"; one should use "which" instead in this instance.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, and there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, and there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence is not coordinated correctly. When the first phrase starts with “although,” the main phrase should start after the comma without using another conjunction in between the comma and the main phrase. The corrected sentence reads, "Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns."
This sentence is not coordinated correctly. When the first phrase starts with “although,” the main phrase should start after the comma without using another conjunction in between the comma and the main phrase. The corrected sentence reads, "Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process which was making oven-baked macaroni and cheese. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process which was making oven-baked macaroni and cheese. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
The relative pronoun “which” in this sentence is not used correctly. It should add extra information about a noun, and it should follow a comma. There is a better, shorter way of phrasing this sentence: "Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process of making oven-baked macaroni and cheese."
The relative pronoun “which” in this sentence is not used correctly. It should add extra information about a noun, and it should follow a comma. There is a better, shorter way of phrasing this sentence: "Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process of making oven-baked macaroni and cheese."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Traveling during the holidays can be expensive, and it is worth it to celebrate with your family. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Traveling during the holidays can be expensive, and it is worth it to celebrate with your family. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
The conjunction used in this sentence (“and”) does not match the logic of the sentence's content. The two parts oppose each other, so “but” is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Traveling during the holidays can be expensive, but it is worth it to celebrate with your family."
The conjunction used in this sentence (“and”) does not match the logic of the sentence's content. The two parts oppose each other, so “but” is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Traveling during the holidays can be expensive, but it is worth it to celebrate with your family."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, that is one of the most popular local languages. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, that is one of the most popular local languages. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence uses “that” to introduce a non-restrictive clause (added information rather than details central to the meaning of the sentence). It would be correct to use “which” instead: "Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, which is one of the most popular local languages."
This sentence uses “that” to introduce a non-restrictive clause (added information rather than details central to the meaning of the sentence). It would be correct to use “which” instead: "Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, which is one of the most popular local languages."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The weather should be beautiful on Friday, but Barbara has made plans to go hiking. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The weather should be beautiful on Friday, but Barbara has made plans to go hiking. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
The conjunction that this sentence uses does not make logical sense. The first half is the reasoning for the second half, so the conjunction “so” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "The weather should be beautiful on Friday, so Barbara has made plans to go hiking."
The conjunction that this sentence uses does not make logical sense. The first half is the reasoning for the second half, so the conjunction “so” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "The weather should be beautiful on Friday, so Barbara has made plans to go hiking."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Some experts have proposed that one’s physical health may have more to do with genetics then diet, exercise habits, or lifestyle choices. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Some experts have proposed that one’s physical health may have more to do with genetics then diet, exercise habits, or lifestyle choices. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
“Then” is used to describe a sequence of events (e.g. "First I went home, and then I went to the store"). “Than” is used for making comparisons (e.g. "I have more books than Julie").
“Then” is used to describe a sequence of events (e.g. "First I went home, and then I went to the store"). “Than” is used for making comparisons (e.g. "I have more books than Julie").
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although so many people were already lined up at the ticket booth when we arrived, Louise and I missed the start of the movie we had come to see. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although so many people were already lined up at the ticket booth when we arrived, Louise and I missed the start of the movie we had come to see. No error
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence contains a logical error. The long line was the cause of missing the start of the movie, so the use of a contrasting conjunction like "although" here is wrong. Replacing it with "Because" or "Since" would be a simple correction.
This sentence contains a logical error. The long line was the cause of missing the start of the movie, so the use of a contrasting conjunction like "although" here is wrong. Replacing it with "Because" or "Since" would be a simple correction.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Vincent van Gogh sold only a few paintings during his lifetime, but yet he is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Vincent van Gogh sold only a few paintings during his lifetime, but yet he is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. No error
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence contains a redundancy error. The conjunctions "but" and "yet" are synonyms; they mean the same thing, so only one or the other is necessary to convey the intended meaning of the sentence.
The answer choice "sold" is correct because it contains the simple past tense, which is correct for events that happened in the past and don't continue into the present.
The answer choice "greatest" is correct because it uses the superlative form (the "-est" form) of the adjective great, which is appropriate for comparisons involving more than two items.
The answer choice "of all time" is a perfectly correct use of an idiomatic expression.
This sentence contains a redundancy error. The conjunctions "but" and "yet" are synonyms; they mean the same thing, so only one or the other is necessary to convey the intended meaning of the sentence.
The answer choice "sold" is correct because it contains the simple past tense, which is correct for events that happened in the past and don't continue into the present.
The answer choice "greatest" is correct because it uses the superlative form (the "-est" form) of the adjective great, which is appropriate for comparisons involving more than two items.
The answer choice "of all time" is a perfectly correct use of an idiomatic expression.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, and she could not be bothered to practice every day. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, and she could not be bothered to practice every day. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
The logic of this sentence calls for a different conjunction. Since the two parts of the sentence are contradictory, “but” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, but she could not be bothered to practice every day."
The logic of this sentence calls for a different conjunction. Since the two parts of the sentence are contradictory, “but” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, but she could not be bothered to practice every day."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Defying all expectations, the space shuttle reentered the atmosphere at 3:57, that was three whole minutes ahead of schedule. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Defying all expectations, the space shuttle reentered the atmosphere at 3:57, that was three whole minutes ahead of schedule. No error
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence has a clunky dependent clause tacked on the end. We can make it sound better by taking out some words and making it an appositive phrase: "Defying all expectations, the space shuttle reentered the atmosphere at 3:57, three whole minutes ahead of schedule." Or, alternatively, one could also change "that was" to "which was," but one introduce a phrase that provides additional information about a subject and follows a comma with "that"; one should use "which" instead in this instance.
This sentence has a clunky dependent clause tacked on the end. We can make it sound better by taking out some words and making it an appositive phrase: "Defying all expectations, the space shuttle reentered the atmosphere at 3:57, three whole minutes ahead of schedule." Or, alternatively, one could also change "that was" to "which was," but one introduce a phrase that provides additional information about a subject and follows a comma with "that"; one should use "which" instead in this instance.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, and there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, and there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence is not coordinated correctly. When the first phrase starts with “although,” the main phrase should start after the comma without using another conjunction in between the comma and the main phrase. The corrected sentence reads, "Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns."
This sentence is not coordinated correctly. When the first phrase starts with “although,” the main phrase should start after the comma without using another conjunction in between the comma and the main phrase. The corrected sentence reads, "Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process which was making oven-baked macaroni and cheese. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process which was making oven-baked macaroni and cheese. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
The relative pronoun “which” in this sentence is not used correctly. It should add extra information about a noun, and it should follow a comma. There is a better, shorter way of phrasing this sentence: "Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process of making oven-baked macaroni and cheese."
The relative pronoun “which” in this sentence is not used correctly. It should add extra information about a noun, and it should follow a comma. There is a better, shorter way of phrasing this sentence: "Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process of making oven-baked macaroni and cheese."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Traveling during the holidays can be expensive, and it is worth it to celebrate with your family. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Traveling during the holidays can be expensive, and it is worth it to celebrate with your family. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
The conjunction used in this sentence (“and”) does not match the logic of the sentence's content. The two parts oppose each other, so “but” is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Traveling during the holidays can be expensive, but it is worth it to celebrate with your family."
The conjunction used in this sentence (“and”) does not match the logic of the sentence's content. The two parts oppose each other, so “but” is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Traveling during the holidays can be expensive, but it is worth it to celebrate with your family."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, that is one of the most popular local languages. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, that is one of the most popular local languages. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence uses “that” to introduce a non-restrictive clause (added information rather than details central to the meaning of the sentence). It would be correct to use “which” instead: "Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, which is one of the most popular local languages."
This sentence uses “that” to introduce a non-restrictive clause (added information rather than details central to the meaning of the sentence). It would be correct to use “which” instead: "Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, which is one of the most popular local languages."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The weather should be beautiful on Friday, but Barbara has made plans to go hiking. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The weather should be beautiful on Friday, but Barbara has made plans to go hiking. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
The conjunction that this sentence uses does not make logical sense. The first half is the reasoning for the second half, so the conjunction “so” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "The weather should be beautiful on Friday, so Barbara has made plans to go hiking."
The conjunction that this sentence uses does not make logical sense. The first half is the reasoning for the second half, so the conjunction “so” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "The weather should be beautiful on Friday, so Barbara has made plans to go hiking."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Some experts have proposed that one’s physical health may have more to do with genetics then diet, exercise habits, or lifestyle choices. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Some experts have proposed that one’s physical health may have more to do with genetics then diet, exercise habits, or lifestyle choices. No error.
Tap to reveal answer
“Then” is used to describe a sequence of events (e.g. "First I went home, and then I went to the store"). “Than” is used for making comparisons (e.g. "I have more books than Julie").
“Then” is used to describe a sequence of events (e.g. "First I went home, and then I went to the store"). “Than” is used for making comparisons (e.g. "I have more books than Julie").
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although so many people were already lined up at the ticket booth when we arrived, Louise and I missed the start of the movie we had come to see. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although so many people were already lined up at the ticket booth when we arrived, Louise and I missed the start of the movie we had come to see. No error
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence contains a logical error. The long line was the cause of missing the start of the movie, so the use of a contrasting conjunction like "although" here is wrong. Replacing it with "Because" or "Since" would be a simple correction.
This sentence contains a logical error. The long line was the cause of missing the start of the movie, so the use of a contrasting conjunction like "although" here is wrong. Replacing it with "Because" or "Since" would be a simple correction.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Vincent van Gogh sold only a few paintings during his lifetime, but yet he is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Vincent van Gogh sold only a few paintings during his lifetime, but yet he is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. No error
Tap to reveal answer
This sentence contains a redundancy error. The conjunctions "but" and "yet" are synonyms; they mean the same thing, so only one or the other is necessary to convey the intended meaning of the sentence.
The answer choice "sold" is correct because it contains the simple past tense, which is correct for events that happened in the past and don't continue into the present.
The answer choice "greatest" is correct because it uses the superlative form (the "-est" form) of the adjective great, which is appropriate for comparisons involving more than two items.
The answer choice "of all time" is a perfectly correct use of an idiomatic expression.
This sentence contains a redundancy error. The conjunctions "but" and "yet" are synonyms; they mean the same thing, so only one or the other is necessary to convey the intended meaning of the sentence.
The answer choice "sold" is correct because it contains the simple past tense, which is correct for events that happened in the past and don't continue into the present.
The answer choice "greatest" is correct because it uses the superlative form (the "-est" form) of the adjective great, which is appropriate for comparisons involving more than two items.
The answer choice "of all time" is a perfectly correct use of an idiomatic expression.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →