SAT Writing › Correcting Modifier-Word Modified Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a setence 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 powers that be are not happier with the current status quo.
The powers that be are not happy
The powers that be are not happiest
The powers that be are not happyer
The powers that be are not happier
The powers that be are not Happiest
In the sentence above, the phrase "powers that be" is being modified by the word "happier," however, there is no other end to the comparison. "Happier" is the wrong adjective to use in this case, as "happier" is a comparative adjective. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The powers that be are not happy."
The farmer was absolutely irate: one of his cow got out of the barn and raised a ruckus.
one of his cows got out of the barn and raised a ruckus.
one of his cow got out of the barn and raised a ruckus.
one of the cow got out of the barn and raised a ruckus.
one of his cow gotten out of the barn and raised a ruckus.
one of his cow got out of the barn and was raising a ruckus.
In the sentence above, the word "cow" is being modified by the words "one of;" therefore, we know that "cow" should be plural. There are two ways to make the noun "cow" plural, one is to change it to "cows" and the other is to change it to "cattle," the name for a group of cows, with the additional connotation that the cows are being used in an agricultural context. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "one of his cows got out of the barn and raised a ruckus."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a setence 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 series of industry that have disappeared over the last few years are a great cause of alarm for many modern economists.
The series of industries
The series of industry
The serieses of industry
The serieses of industrys
The series for industry
In the sentence above, the word "industry" is being modified by the phrase "series of;" therefore we know that industry should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The series of industries."
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.
Greyhounds are among the fastest canines in the world.
fastest
faster
fast
most fast
quickly
In the sentence above, greyhounds are being compared with all other canines. Therefore, the use of the superlative adjective "fastest" is appropriate 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.
The complex machine required that all of its many moving piece worked together in order to function.
pieces
piece
pieced
piecing
to piece
Here, it is clear from the word "many" that the underlined word should be plural. Therefore, the best option is "pieces."
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.
These set of problems that our math teacher gave us is incredibly difficult.
This
These
Their
Those
There
Even though there are multiple problems in the "set of problems," the "set" itself is singular. Therefore, the plural word "These" at the beginning of the sentence should be replaced with "This."
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.
Grey herons native to Scandinavia mostly migrate south during the winter, whereas them native to Britain tend to stay sedentary year-round.
those native to Britain
them native to britain
these native to Britain
that native to Britain
it's native to Britain
Because "grey herons" is a plural subject, the modifying pronoun must also be plural, in this case "those" is correct. Even though this modifier comes later in the sentence, it must still agree with what it modifies.
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 hate it when she treats me so bad, but I can't help but love her anyhow.
she treats me so badly
she treats me so badder
she treats me so baddest
she treats me so badlier
she treats me so bad
In the sentence above, the word "bad" is modifying the word "treats." Because "bad" is modifying a verb, it should be changed into it's adverb, "badly." The best way to correct the underlined section of the sentence above is: "she treats me so badly."
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 can't believe how bad I performed on the test; my teacher told me I had been adequately prepared.
I can't believe how badly I performed on the test
I can't believe how so bad I performed on the test
I can't believe how worse I performed on the test
I cant believe how bad I performed on the test
I can't believe how bad I performed on the test
In the sentence above, the word "bad" is modifying the word "performed," which is a verb. Therefore, the word "bad", which is an adjective, should be changed into an adverb. A semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses while joining them into a single sentence. "Can't" is an acceptable contraction of "cannot." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "I can't believe how badly I performed on the test."
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 prefer to go to those coffee shop during the middle of the afternoon; there are always fewer customers, and it's my favorite spot.
go to that
go to those
goes to those
go in those
go for those
In the sentence above, the phrase "coffee shop" is clearly singular. We know that all words modifying it must also be singular. "Those" is a plural word. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "go to that."