SAT Writing › Correcting Colon 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.
Whenever I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task: I always ask my friends for help.
Whenever I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task,
Whenever I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task:
Whenever I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task;
Whenever, I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task:
Whenever I find myself faced by a particularly arduous task:
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence where the first clause is independent, and the second clause explains, defines, or clarifies the main clause. For the second purpose, however, you may only use a colon where a period might otherwise be used. To correct the sentence above change the colon into a comma.
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 need you to: sit down, be quiet, and follow all further instructions with precision.
I need you to sit down,
I need you to, sit down,
I need you to: sit down,
I need you to: sit down;
I need you to sit down
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon.
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.
There are three ways to go forward here we can get it together, we can go our separate ways, or we can stop altogether.
here: we
here, we
here; we
here our
here we
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. The colon is missing prior to the list above, the best way to correct the underlined portion is: "here: we"
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.
I want you to: pick up some cherries, some corn, and some watermelon for the salad, please. No error
to:
I want
some cherries, some corn, and some watermelon
salad, please.
No error
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence where the second clause explains, defines, or clarifies the first clause. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon since it follows a verb.
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 truth of the matter is, as always, rather simple you must do what I ask, or you will fail.
The truth of the matter is, as always, rather simple:
The truth of the matter is as always, rather simple:
The truth of the matter is as always rather simple:
The truth of the matter is, as always, rather simple
The truth of the matter is as always rather simple,
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the second purpose, however, you may only use a colon where a period might otherwise be used, after an independent clause, and for this use of the colon the second clause should explain or define the main clause. In this case, the dependent clause directly explains the main clause, so the best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "The truth of the matter is, as always, rather simple"
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.
His mother had three great qualities; she was tough, she was fair, and she was patient.
His mother had three great qualities: she was tough, she was fair, and she was patient.
His mother had three great qualities; she was tough, she was fair, and she was patient.
His mother had three great qualities, she was tough, she was fair, she was patient.
His mother had three great qualities; she was tough, she was fair and she was patient.
His mother had three great qualities; she was tough, she was fair, she was patient.
When a sentence includes a list, like the list of qualities describing the mother in the example sentence, the list should be preceded by a colon, not a semicolon. Semicolons are used to separate two independent clauses within a sentence.
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 ate four terrible things yesterday; a raw squash, a cold turkey sandwich, and a hot popsicle.
I ate four terrible things yesterday:
I ate four terrible things yesterday;
I ate four terrible things yesterday.
I ate four terrible things yesterday...
I ate four terrible things yesterday
The example sentence includes a list of three items. Often lists of three or more items are preceded by a colon (unless the last word before the list is a verb), but they should not be preceded by a semicolon. Semicolons are used to combine independent clauses into one sentence. Since the second clause is nowhere near to a grammatically complete independent clause, we know that a semicolon will not be the appropriate form of punctuation. The correct version of the example sentence reads, "I ate four terrible things yesterday: a raw squash, a cold turkey sandwich, and a hot popsicle."
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 need you to do: the dishes, your laundry, and the rest of the chores.
I need you to do the dishes,
I need you to do: the dishes
I need you to "do": the dishes
I need you to do the dishes
I need you to: do the dishes,
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon.
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.
I'm having a very long day, and it would be a great help to me if you: would pick up your socks, clean the sink, and turn out the lights. No error
you: would
I'm having
long day,
clean the sink,
No error
Here, a colon is incorrectly placed in the middle of a clause. Colons must come at the end of an independent clause that does not end in a verb. Thus, in this case, the only correction would be to simply delete the colon, the rest of the sentence is correct as written.
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.
When you don't you regard your family more favorably: you hurt them, they are clearly a great group of people.
When don't you regard your family more favorably,
When don't you regard your family better:
When you don't you regard your family more favorably:
When don't you regard your family better,
When, don't you regard your family more favorably:
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the second purpose, however, you may only use a colon where a period might otherwise be used (after an independent clause).