SAT Writing › Correcting Sentence Fragment and Sentence Combination 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.
The detective was an expert in these kinds of cases, always called on when the force needed expert advice.
and was called on when the force needed expert advice.
always called on when the force needed expert advice.
always call on when the force needed expert advice.
always calling on when the force needed expert advice.
always called on when the force needs expert advice.
The underlined portion of the phrase is a dependent clause that is confusing because of the way it is worded. The phrase needs to be better linked to the main portion of the sentence. The answer choice which best does this is "and was called on when the force needed expert advice."
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
Going to college can lead to some fantastic careers, young adults who do not pursue additional education can find fulfilling and exciting jobs as well.
Although going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Since going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
If going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Unless going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
In its current state, this is a run-on sentence because it has two independent clauses that are not joined with a conjunction or semicolon. In this answer choice, the appropriate conjunction is added to the introductory clause, making the introductory clause dependent and the sentence grammatically correct.
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 neighbor down the street who spent months caring for his lawn only to see it destroyed by the storm.
The neighbor down the street spent months caring for his lawn only to see it destroyed by the storm.
The neighbor down the street who spent months caring for his lawn only to see it destroyed by the storm.
The neighbor down the street he spent months caring for his lawn only to see it destroyed by the storm.
The neighbor down the street, who spent months caring for his lawn only to see it destroyed by the storm.
The neighbor down the street, spent months caring for his lawn only to see it destroyed by the storm.
"Who" in the original sentence is used as a relative pronoun, meaning everything in that following clause is part of a relative clause. As such, the original sentence has no predicate to accompany the subject—it is a fragment. Removing "who" gets rid of the relative pronoun, and "spent" can be used appropriately as the main verb of the sentence.
She liked the finer things in life she always had to have nice clothes and fine food.
She liked the finer things in life, and she always had to have nice clothes and fine food.
She liked the finer things in life she always had to have nice clothes and fine food.
She liked the finer things in life, she always had to have nice clothes and fine food.
She liked the finer things in life and she always had to have nice clothes and fine food.
She liked the finer things in life, always had to have nice clothes and fine food.
The sentence is a compound sentence, or one sentence that contains two complete thoughts joined together to highlight their relationship to each other. All compound sentences must be joined either by a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "She liked the finer things in life, and she always had to have nice clothes and fine food."
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.
Patients were not allowed in many different parts of the clinic they were restricted to staff only.
Patients were not allowed in many different parts of the clinic; they were restricted to staff only.
Patients were not allowed in many different parts of the clinic they were restricted to staff only.
Patients were not allowed in many different parts of the clinic were restricted to staff only.
Patients were not allowed in many different parts of the clinic was restricted to staff only.
Patients not allowed in many different parts of the clinic were restricted to staff only.
The sentence as written is a compound sentence, or two complete sentences joined into one sentence to show the relationship between the two thoughts. All compound sentences need to be joined by either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "Patients were not allowed in many different parts of the clinic; they were restricted to staff only."
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 television show became an overnight success and it quickly became the network's biggest hit.
The television show became an overnight success; it quickly became the network's biggest hit.
The television show became an overnight success and it quickly became the network's biggest hit.
The television show became an overnight success, it quickly became the network's biggest hit.
The television show became an overnight success it quickly became the network's biggest hit.
The television show became an overnight success; and it quickly became the network's biggest hit.
The sentence is a compound sentence, or two sentences that are joined into one sentence to show their relationship. The two independent clauses that form a compound sentence must be connected by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that appropriately employs either of these ways of joining two independent clauses is "The television show became an overnight success; it quickly became the network's biggest hit."
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.
Cats were traditionally used as pest control on small farms and the use of the animals was an inexpensive way to protect food stores.
on small farms, and the use of the animals
on small farms and the use of the animals
on small farms; and the use of the animals
on small farms, the use of the animals
on small farms so the use of the animals
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, with two independent clauses joined together to show their relationship. All compound sentences must be joined either by a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The correct answer is the only answer choice that features the appropriate joining, "on small farms, and the use of the animals."
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 smaller child never had any hope fighting his brother one-on-one but he kept picking fights anyway.
one-on-one, but he kept
one-on-one but he kept
one-on-one; but he kept
one-on-one he kept
one-on-one and he kept
The sentence is a compound sentence, one that joins two independent clauses together to show their relationship. Any compound sentence needs to be joined by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. Only "one-on-one, but he kept" properly joins the two independent clauses of the compound 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.
Her daughters were all exemplary students and she was always proud of their academic accomplishments.
exemplary students, and she was always proud
exemplary students and she was always proud
exemplary students; and she was always proud
exemplary students, she was always proud
exemplary students so she was always proud
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses in one sentence in order to show their relationship. A compound sentence can only be joined by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that properly joins the two clauses is "exemplary students, and she was always proud."
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.
Weddings have become big business in recent years, vendors finding their profits increasing with each event.
with vendors finding their profits increasing with each event.
vendors finding their profits increasing with each event.
vendors find their profits increasing with each event.
vendors finding there profits increasing with each event.
vendors finding profits increasing with each event.
The underlined portion of the sentence stands oddly next to the preceding phrase, as it is in no way connected to the preceding phrase. The phrase needs to be changed so that it appropriately links with the first part of the sentence. "With vendors finding their profits increasing with each event" is the correct answer choice.