SAT Writing › Correcting Noun-Noun Agreement 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.
We decided resolutely to pin all of our hopes and dream on the team's victory.
pin all of our hopes and dreams
pin all of our hopes and dream
pinning all of our hoping and dreams
pin all of our hope and dreams
pin all of hopes and dream
There is a disagreement here between the nouns "hopes" and "dream" when they follow the phrase "all of our." Both nouns should be plural, and therefore the correct answer is "resolutely pin all of our hopes and dreams."
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.
As soon as the children heard the sound of the whistle, they grabbed their basket and ran off to search for egg.
they grabbed their baskets and ran off to search for eggs
they grabbed their basket and ran off to search for egg
they grabbed their basket or ran off to search for egg
they grabbed their basket and ran on to search for egg
they ran off to search for egg and grabbed their basket
Because the subject of the sentence ("children") is plural, it is presumed each child has their own basket and is looking for eggs. For this reason, the nouns "basket" and "egg" both need to be plural.
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.
After months of organizing the gala, several of the party planners are beginning to wish they worked as a waiter or bartender instead.
several of the party planners are beginning to wish they worked as waiters or bartenders instead.
several of the party planners are beginning to wish they worked as a waiter or bartender instead.
several of the party planners are beginning to wish they worked as waiter or bartender instead.
several of the party planners is beginning to wish they worked as a waiter or as a bartender instead.
several of the party planners is beginning to wish they worked as waiters or bartenders instead.
Because there are several party planners longing for different jobs, the jobs themselves must be plural; three or four people can’t work as a single waiter or bartender. And because “party planners” is plural, the correct verb conjugation is “are.”
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.
Paul really wanted to live up to his fathers legacy: he was set on becoming great knights.
he was set on becoming a great knight.
he was set on becoming great knights.
he was becoming great knights.
he was set on becoming a great knights.
he was set on becoming the great knights.
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "Paul" we know that we are dealing with an individual. Therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "knights" should be singular. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "he was set on becoming a great knight."
Note that a colon is correctly used to join two independent clauses, where the second clause explains or clarifies the first.
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.
All children are taught at an early age never to run while holding their pencil.
while holding their pencils
while holding their pencil
while holding his pencil
while holding her pencil
while holding our pencil
The noun "pencil" needs to be pluralize to reflect the fact that the subject of the sentence is "All children," who presumably each have a pencil and do not share a single pencil.
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.
Between leaving home or being unable to find a job, Martin was extremely depressed.
leaving home and being unable
leaving home or being unable
leaving home with being unable
leave home or be unable
leaving home for being unable
Whenever you see the conjunction "between," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and."
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.
All four of the basketball stars sustained serious injuries, and were not the player they could have been thereafter.
and were not the players they could have been thereafter.
and was not the player they could have been thereafter.
and were not the player they could have been thereafter.
and was not the player he could have been thereafter.
and were not the player they could have been, thereafter.
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "stars" we know that we are dealing with a group of stars. Therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "player" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "and were not the players they could have been thereafter."
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 amateurs wouldn't grow up to become a great performer: they lacked discipline and faith.
The amateurs wouldn't grow up to become great performers:
The amateurs wouldn't grow up to become a great performer:
The amateur would grow up to become a great performer:
The amateurs wouldn't grow up to become a great performer,
The amateurs wouldn't grow up to become a great performer;
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "amateurs" we know that we are dealing with a plural subject. Therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "performer" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "The amateurs wouldn't grow up to become great performers:"
Several amateurs cannot become one great performer (at least with how technology stands at this juncture of history).
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 young girls at space camp all hoped to grow up to become an astronaut.
all hoped to grow up to become astronauts.
all hoped to grow up to become a astronaut.
all hoped to grow up to become the astronaut.
all hoped to grow up to become one astronaut.
all hoped to grow up to become an astronaut.
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "girls" we know that we are dealing with a group of girls. Therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "astronaut" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "all hoped to grow up to become astronauts."
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.
Although they were on time, the students had their pencil sharpened or their drawing pad out at the beginning of class.
the students did not have their pencils sharpened or their drawing pads out at the beginning of class.
the students did not have their pencil sharpened or their drawing pads out at the beginning of class.
the students had their pencil sharpened and their drawing pad out at the beginning of class.
the students were not having their pencils sharpened or their drawing pads out at the beginning of class.
the students were having their pencils sharpened or their drawing pads out at the beginning of class.
Because the subject of the sentence is the plural “students,” we have to assume that each student would have his or her own pencil and drawing pad. Therefore, the correct sentence has “pencils” and “drawing pads.” Also, “had sharpened” is more concise and correct than “were having sharpened” or “were having sharpening.”