SAT Writing › Identifying Colon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Leila was convinced that her new boyfriend was the man she would someday marry: however, when he showed up late for three dates in a row, she began to have second thoughts. No error
marry:
was convinced
No error
however,
in a row,
A semicolon, not a colon, is needed to separate the two independent clauses in this sentence. Colons are only used to introduce lists, and the second part of the sentence is not a list; it’s a full sentence in its own right. Therefore, a semicolon is the correct punctuation mark to use between “marry” and “however.”
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It’s been a long, hard winter: everyone in the Alaskan village just wants to see some green grass and feel the sun shining again. No error
winter:
the Alaskan
long,
No error
shining
Since the first sentence isn’t introducing the second sentence but is rather a separate thought, a colon isn’t the correct punctuation mark to use. Instead, a semicolon should be used to separate these two independent clauses.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Learning to crochet is a difficult task: since there are many stitches and patterns to keep track of and the yarn often slips off the hook entirely. No error
task: since
often slips off the hook entirely.
No error
there
to keep track of
The colon that is used in this sentence is extraneous. While the part of the sentence that precedes the colon is an independent clause, the part of the sentence that follows the colon is not; it is a subordinating clause because it is introduced by "since," which is here acting as a subordinating conjunction. Colons are not used to separate independent and subordinating clauses.
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
If you want to succeed in Dr. Henderson’s course, you need to do three things; complete your homework promptly, participate in class discussions, and read the textbook thoroughly. No error.
things;
Dr. Henderson's
No error.
course,
, and
Because “If you want to succeed in Dr. Henderson’s course, you need to do three things” is an independent clause (a complete sentence that stands on its own), the list that follows it must be preceded by a colon. (Semicolons are used to separate two independent clauses, not an independent clause and a list.) In this sentence, the commas are all used correctly.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
“I’ve never: seen such a beautiful night, had such a delicious dinner, or danced with such a graceful man,” Lily said. No error
never:
man,"
No error.
such a beautiful night,
dinner, or
Because “I’ve never” isn’t an independent clause (a complete sentence that can stand on its own), the list that follows it should not be separated with a colon or with any other punctuation. You would only use a colon to introduce a list if the part of the sentence before the list was an independent clause.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Smoking is a really bad habit: you must stop doing it soon. No error
No error
Smoking is
habit:
must stop
that soon.
Colons serve two primary purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses, where the first clause is an independent, and the second clause is a dependent clause that explains the main clause. If being used to connect two clauses, the first clause must always be a independent clause.
The sentence above is correct as written.
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When you behave this badly in class: it reflects poorly on the entire school. NO ERROR
class:
When you
reflects
entire school.
NO ERROR
Colons may be used to separate clauses in sentences, but only where you would also be able to use a period. You cannot use a period in the place of the colon in the sentence above, so that colon is erroneous. The sentence should read, "When you behave this badly in class, it reflects poorly on the entire school."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I need: flour, sugar, butter, and rum to make my Grandmother's cake. No error
I need:
No error
flour, sugar, butter, and rum
Grandmother's cake.
make
Colons serve two main purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon.
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
To complete their final projects, all students must prepare the following; a presentation, a posterboard, and a paper. NO ERROR
following;
projects,
a posterboard, and a paper.
complete
NO ERROR
Colons are used prior to lists of things in sentences, rather than semi-colons; therefore, the semi-colon in the sentence above is erroneous. The sentence should read, "To complete their final projects, all students must prepare the following: a presentation, a posterboard, and a paper."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I need: the following three things from the camp goods store: a backpack, a tent, and a flashlight. No error
I need:
following three things from the camp goods
store:
and a flashlight.
No error
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the first colon; the second one is correct and necessary, but the first is both redundant, and directly follows a verb.