SAT Writing › Correcting Preposition Errors
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
When you go to the market for onions, will you also buy some lettuce as well?
you also buy some lettuce?
you also buy some lettuce as well please?
you also buy some lettuce!
you as well buy some lettuce?
you also buy some lettuce as well?
"Also" and "as well" mean the same thing—in addition to. Only one is necessary to convey the meaning of the sentence above, and having both of them is redundant. The best way to rewrite the sentence is to delete either "also" or "as well."
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 girls were always challenging their father's rules for every opportunity.
their father's rules at every opportunity.
their father's rules for every opportunity.
their father's rules in every opportunity.
their father's rules on every opportunity.
their father's rules onto every opportunity.
The use of the preposition "for" in the sentence is odd, and does not properly reflect what the girls are doing. The preposition should be changed to indicate that they challenged during certain moments. The preposition that best shows this is "at," making the correct answer choice "their father's rules at every opportunity."
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.
Greg always wore black clothing, in an effort to seem different than his older brother.
in an effort to seem different from his older brother.
in an effort to seem different than his older brother.
in an effort to seem different to his older brother.
on an effort to seem different than his older brother.
in an effort to seem more different from his older brother.
"Than" is used for comparatives, so "different from" is better to use than "different than."
Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence. This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English.
The Congressman is opposed with the new trade deal: he will never support it.
opposed to the new trade deal:
opposed with the new trade deal
opposed with the new trade deal:
opposed with the new trade deal,
opposed at the new trade deal:
The correct preposition to use after the phrase "is opposed" is "to," not "with." This should be corrected in the sentence above, the best way to correct the underlined portion is "opposed to the new trade deal:"
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 always have a great time in the summer, because school is out and it's nice outside.
in
on
for
with
while
For specific dates or times, you typically want to use the prepositions "for" or "on." For general measurements of times, such as parts of the year or seasons, you use "in" instead. The preposition in the sentence above is correct as written, so the right answer is the one which reproduces the example 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.
Do you know what you'll be doing for the springtime?
in
for
on
while
from
For specific dates or times, you typically want to use the prepositions "for" or "on." For general measurements of times, such as parts of the year or seasons, you use "in" instead. The preposition in the sentence above should be "in."
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.
Bradley was standing knee deep into the swamp when the alligator swam by.
in
into
on
inside
in to
"In" is used in instances of position, whereas "into" is used in instances of direction of motion. Bradley's standing in the swamp was his position when the gator swam by; the preposition doesn't indicate any motion on his part. For this reason, "in" is most appropriate. Bradley wasn't fully & completely inside the swamp, so "inside" is also inappropriate.
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 amount of people living in the area was still a matter of much debate in researchers.
among researchers.
in researchers.
among research.
around researchers.
around research.
The underlined elements of the sentence have an issue with the usage of the preposition before researchers. The debate happens from one researcher to the next, and the correct preposition would indicate this. "Among researchers" is the best choice among the answers.
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 beach can be a fun place to visit about long weekends.
The beach can be a fun place to visit on long weekends.
The beach is always a fun place to visit further long weekends.
The beach is often a fun place to visit around long weekends.
The beach is always a fun place to visit beyond long weekends.
The beach can be a fun place to visit about long weekends.
Here, the preposition "on" is most appropriate of the choices available.
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 the past, corporations had very few restrictions on what they had to pay from employee's wages.
to pay for employees' wages.
to pay from employees' wages.
for pay from employees' wages.
to pay from employees' wage.
to pay on employees' wages.
The use of the preposition "from" in the sentence is very odd. The correct preposition needs to indicate the the "wages" are something the "corporations" give to the "employees." The answer choice that best reflexts this is "to pay for employees' wages."