SAT Writing › Correcting Verb Voice 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.
As his owner howled in frustration, the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
As his owner howled in frustration, the naughty dog ate the spaghetti.
As his owner howled in frustration, then the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
As his owner howled in frustration, if the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
As his owner howled in frustration, the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
As his owner howled with frustration the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
The sentence above, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice inverts the object and subject of a sentence, and is often more confusing and less concise than the active voice. In this case, the unnecessary use of the passive voice creates a dangling modifier, "as his" (meaning the dog's) "owner" is used in the first clause, the subject of the second clause must be "the dog." The best way to change the sentence above into active voice is, "As his owner howled with frustration, the naughty dog ate the spaghetti."
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 wild and untamed plains were roamed by fearsome warriors.
Fearsome warriors roamed the wild and untamed plains.
The wild and untamed, plains were roamed by fearsome warriors.
The wild, and untamed plains were roamed by fearsome warriors.
The wild and untamed plains were roamed, by fearsome warriors.
The wild and untamed plains were roamed by fearsome warriors.
The sentence above, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice inverts the object and subject of a sentence, and should usually be changed to active voice. Passive voice often makes sentences overly wordy and confusing. The best way to change the sentence above into active voice is, "Fearsome warriors roamed the wild and untamed plains."
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.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas to spar.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, were asked to spar by the boxing coach.
The boxing coach, eagerly sees how Mike and Jonas would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how the boxing coach would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
The initial independent clause in the sentence, "Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach," uses passive voice ("were asked"); it becomes clearer when we use active voice ("the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas . . .").
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 car was repaired by the brilliant mechanic.
The brilliant mechanic repaired the car.
The car was repaired, by the brilliant mechanic.
The car had been repaired by the brilliant mechanic.
The car were repaired by the brilliant mechanic.
The car was repaired by the brilliant mechanic.
The sentence above, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice inverts the object and subject of a sentence, and is often overly confusing and wordy. The best way to change the sentence above into active voice is, "The brilliant mechanic repaired the car."
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 first day of school was anticipated by the teacher of the students and also by their parents.
The students, their parents, and the teacher all anticipated the first day of school.
The first day of school was anticipated by the teacher, the students, and their parents.
The first day of school was to be anticipated by the students and their teacher, as well as their parents.
The teacher, the teacher's students, and the students' parents all anticipated the first day of school.
The first day of school was anticipated by the teacher of the students and also by their parents.
To avoid the passive "The first day of school was anticipated" and to eliminate unnecessary words, the sentence should read "The students, their parents, and the teacher all anticipated the first day of school."
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 important race was won by the incredibly fast horse, Big Chuck.
Big Chuck, the incredibly fast horse, won the important race.
The important race was won by the incredibly fast horse, Big Chuck.
The important race, was won by the incredibly fast horse, Big Chuck.
Big Chuck the incredibly fast horse won the important race.
The important race was won by the incredibly fast horse, Big Chuck.
The sentence above, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice inverts the object and subject of a sentence, and is often less concise, and more confusing, than sentences framed in a direct, active voice. The best way to change the sentence above into active voice is, "Big Chuck, the incredibly fast horse, won the important race." Note that the correct version of the sentence includes an interrupting phrase, which must be contained within commas.
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 nation’s economy was growing rapidly for reasons having to do with booming foreign investment following the discovery of vast natural resources.
because the discovery of vast natural resources led to a boom in foreign investment.
as a result of booming foreign investment following the discovery of vast natural resources.
for reasons having to do with booming foreign investment following the discovery of vast natural resources.
because a boom in foreign investment was what followed the discovery of vast natural resources.
since the discovery of vast natural resources is what can cause a boom in foreign investment.
The initial sentence is wordy and in passive voice. The correct answer is concise and active.
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 rebellious soldiers were brought before the court by the general. No error
The general brought the rebellious soldiers before the court.
No error
The rebellious soldiers were broughten before the court by the general.
The rebellious soldiers were brought before the court.
The rebellious soldiers brought the general before the court.
The sentence, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice should, in the majority of cases, be changed to active voice. In most cases, the passive voice construction create a sentence structure that is unnecessarily confusing and imprecise. The best way to do so is, "The general brought the rebellious soldiers before the court."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice 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.
Nobody knew why it took so long for Jamel to arrive; he had drove there plenty of times before.
had driven
had drove
had drived
drived
has drove
Since the sentence is in past tense (indicated by "knew"), "had" is correct. The correct past participleof the verb "drive" is "driven." "Had driven" is the correct pairing and therefore the best improvement in this 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.
Paula's ball was taken away from her by her frustrated teacher. No error
The frustrated teacher took Paula's ball away.
Paula's ball was taken away from him by his frustrated teacher.
Paula's ball was taken away from she by her frustrated teacher.
Paula's ball was taken away from her by her frustrated teacher!
No error
The sentence, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice should usually be changed to active voice. As in the example sentence, passive voice construction often leads to unnecessarily confusing and imprecise sentences. The best way to write this sentence is: "The frustrated teacher took Paula's ball away."