Identifying Conjunction Errors
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SAT Reading & Writing › Identifying Conjunction Errors
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.
Not only is Chicago a great city for restaurants, and it has great live music as well. NO ERROR
and
Chicago
restaurants,
great live
NO ERROR
Explanation
Whenever you see the conjunction "not only," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "but also." As such, the "and" in the sentence above should be changed to "but also."
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.
You either need to start working harder, nor accept the consequences of your laziness. NO ERROR
nor
start working
your
laziness.
NO ERROR
Explanation
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
There's an old saying, "great men are rarely good men," but yet many of my favorite heroes from history were exceedingly kind. No error
but yet
"great men are rarely good men,"
No error
of my
were exceedingly kind.
Explanation
In the sentence above, the words "but" and "yet" are being as subordinate conjunctions. They also mean roughly the same thing. Only one of them is necessary, and the other should be deleted. The best way to correct the sentence above is:
There's an old saying, "great men are rarely good men," yet many of my favorite heroes from history were exceedingly kind.
OR
There's an old saying, "great men are rarely good men," but many of my favorite heroes from history were exceedingly kind.
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.
Not only is Chicago a great city for restaurants, and it has great live music as well. NO ERROR
and
Chicago
restaurants,
great live
NO ERROR
Explanation
Whenever you see the conjunction "not only," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "but also." As such, the "and" in the sentence above should be changed to "but also."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
There's an old saying, "great men are rarely good men," but yet many of my favorite heroes from history were exceedingly kind. No error
but yet
"great men are rarely good men,"
No error
of my
were exceedingly kind.
Explanation
In the sentence above, the words "but" and "yet" are being as subordinate conjunctions. They also mean roughly the same thing. Only one of them is necessary, and the other should be deleted. The best way to correct the sentence above is:
There's an old saying, "great men are rarely good men," yet many of my favorite heroes from history were exceedingly kind.
OR
There's an old saying, "great men are rarely good men," but many of my favorite heroes from history were exceedingly kind.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Whether and not the citizens agreed with the final decisions, the politicians felt that it was their responsibility to set laws that were fair for everyone. No error
Whether and not
the final decisions
it
for everyone
No error
Explanation
The form of the subordinating conjunction used here is incorrect—it should be "Whether or not" instead of "Whether and not."
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.
You either need to start working harder, nor accept the consequences of your laziness. NO ERROR
nor
start working
your
laziness.
NO ERROR
Explanation
Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Sonya was in complete agreement with everything the speaker had said; if there is to be change, and someone must step up and be the leader. No error
and someone must
was in complete agreement
everything the speaker
to be change
No error
Explanation
When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "if" signals the coming of the word "then." This means that the sentence should read "if there is to be change, then someone must step up and be the leader," making the correct selection "and someone must."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Whether and not the citizens agreed with the final decisions, the politicians felt that it was their responsibility to set laws that were fair for everyone. No error
Whether and not
the final decisions
it
for everyone
No error
Explanation
The form of the subordinating conjunction used here is incorrect—it should be "Whether or not" instead of "Whether and not."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Sonya was in complete agreement with everything the speaker had said; if there is to be change, and someone must step up and be the leader. No error
and someone must
was in complete agreement
everything the speaker
to be change
No error
Explanation
When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "if" signals the coming of the word "then." This means that the sentence should read "if there is to be change, then someone must step up and be the leader," making the correct selection "and someone must."