SAT Writing › Correcting Misplaced or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Ascertaining the meaning of ancient writing is often beyond the reach of even the most learning scholars.
even the most learned scholars.
even the most learning scholars.
the most learning scholars.
even scholars most learning.
even the most learning of scholars.
The underlined phrase has a problem with the phrase "most learning." The phrase is describing the word "scholars." While the scholars might have "the most learning," this would make them "the most learned." The correct answer is "even the most learned of scholars."
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.
In all of human history, such actions before had never been undertaken.
such actions had never before been undertaken.
such actions before had never been undertaken.
such actions before never been undertaken.
actions before had never been undertaken.
such actions before had never be undertaken.
The main issue with the underlined phrase is one of word order, as "before" is stuck in a place that makes the meaning confusing. To improve this phrase, "before" should be moved to work with "never." "Such actions had never before been undertaken," is the correct answer choice.
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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Only the cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
The only cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only the cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only the cure for the common cold is rest relaxation and fluids.
Only the cure for a common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only a cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
The use of "only" at the very beginning of the sentence creates confusion throughout the rest of the sentence. As it needs to directly modify "cure," it should be moved directly next to it. The answer choice that appropriately does this is "The only cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids."
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.
His manner of speech was like exactly his grandfather's.
His manner of speech was exactly like his grandfather's.
His manner of speech was like exactly his grandfather's.
His manner of speech was like exactly that of his grandfather's.
His manner of speech was like exactly his grandfathers.
His manner in speech was like exactly his grandfather's.
The placement of "exactly" in the sentence is confusing, as placing it after "like" makes it seem as though the manner was almost exactly or kind of exactly. By placing "exactly" after "was," the comparison between the two manners of speech is more clear, making the correct answer "His manner of speech was exactly like his grandfather's."
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.
Only the issue that mattered was the territorial rights of each nation.
The only issue that mattered
Only the issue that mattered
Only the issue that matters
Only the issue that is mattering
Only that issue that mattered
The use of "Only" at the beginning of the sentence is strange and confusing, making it unclear what it is modifying. The construction of the rest of the sentence means the word should modify "issue" directly. "The only issue that mattered" is the answer choice that correctly deploys the adjective.
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 flood was the beginning only of the area's experience with natural disasters that season.
The flood was only the beginning of the area's experience
The flood was the beginning only of the area's experience
The flood was the beginning only of the areas experience
The flood was the beginning only of the area's experiencing
The flood was the beginning only for the area's experience
The insertion of "only" between "beginning" and "of" makes the sentence confusing and awkward. The sentence is attempting to say that the flood began a sequence of awful natural disasters, but "only" should be moved to better indicate this. The answer choice that best clarifies the sentence is "The flood was only the beginning of the area's experience."
Studies that have shown pets can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety.
Studies have shown that pets can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety.
Studies that have shown pets can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety.
Studies that have shown pets can help people with problems as such as depression and anxiety.
Studies that have shown pets can help people with problems such as depression or anxiety.
Studies have shown pets that can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety.
The insertion of "that" between "studies" and "have" makes the sentence unclear and strangely incomplete, as the sentence essentially becomes a dependent clause. By placing "that" after "shown," the sentence becomes much more clear and appropriately makes the dependent clause after the main body of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "Studies have shown that pets can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety."
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 king was the person only in the country who could exercise such power.
The king was the only person in the country who could exercise such power.
The king was the person only in the country who could exercise such power.
Only the king was the person in the country who could exercise such power.
The king was the person in the country only who could exercise such power.
The king was the person in the country who could exercise such power only.
In the sentence as it is written, "only" is floating between phrases, and it is not clear what exactly the word is modifying. The sentence is trying to say that the king was the singular person with the ability to exercise the power. So, "only" should be placed next to "person" to make this clear. The only answer choice that places "only" before "person" is "The king was the only person in the country who could exercise such power."
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.
The new information confused the merely investigative team working on the case.
The new information merely confused the investigative team working on the case.
The new information confused the merely investigative team working on the case.
The new information confused the investigative team merely working on the case.
The new information confused merely the investigative team working on the case.
The new merely information confused the investigative team working on the case.
The word "merely" is dangling in the middle of the sentence, seemingly modifying nothing and making little sense in the sentence. The word should be moved to indicate a clearer usage of the adverb. The place where the word makes most sense is between "information" and "confused," so it is clear that it is modifying the verb "confused."
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 Zulu tribe was the British army's arguably most formidable opponent in the Colonial period.
was arguably the British army's most formidable opponent
was the British army's arguably most formidable opponent
was the British army's arguable most formidable opponent
was the British army's most formidable opponent arguably
was the British army's arguing most formidable opponent
The word "arguably" is an odd place in the sentence that makes it unclear exactly what is being modified by the word. As the thing that is arguable is the status of "the Zulu tribe" against other British opponents. Therefore, the clearest and best answer choice is "was arguably the British army's most formidable opponent."