SAT Writing › Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After going to her friend's birthday party eating two large slices of chocolate cake, Jennie realized that she had eaten to much when her stomach began to make odd gurgling noises. No error
to much
two
to her friend's birthday party
to make odd gurgling noises
No error
This sentence's error has to do with the homonyms "to," two," and "too." The "two" in "two large slices of chocolate cake" is correct; this form of the word refers to the whole number greater than one but less than three. The "to" in "to her friend's birthday party" is also correctly used; this "to" is being used as a preposition. The "to" in "to make odd gurgling noises" is also correctly used because it is part of an infinitive verb, "to make." The "to" in "eaten to much" is incorrect, however; to correct the sentence, one would need to change this "to" to "too," which is used to mean in excess or in an amount that is greater than what is needed or desired.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Sarah believed that she would be excepted into her favorite university until she received a letter that dashed her hopes. No error
excepted
had believed
would be
dashed her hopes
No error
This sentence contains a common usage error—the word "accepted," meaning allowed into, has been confused with the word "excepted," meaning specifically left out. Confusing these words completely changes the meaning of the sentence.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The grandmother was very proud for her daughter, who had just won a very competitive statewide cross-country race. No error
for
was
who
statewide
No error
Idiomatically, when the word "proud" is used, it may be accompanied by the preposition “of,” but not “for.” Therefore, the phrase “proud for” should actually be “proud of," and "for" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Randy warned his children that they’re family would stand out once they moved to Tokyo, simply because of how different they would look compared to many other people in Japan. No error
they're
his
once
how
No error
“They’re” is used to abbreviate the phrase “they are,” while “their” is used to show possession. Since possession is being shown, “their” should be used, not “they’re.”
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My cat, that has orange and white stripes, enjoys consuming food made for human beings, like bread and noodles. No error
that
has
consuming
like
No error
In this sentence, "that" should be replaced with "which" because the phrase it introduces ("has orange and white stripes") is non-essential—that is, the phrase can be removed from the sentence without altering its meaning. "That" should be used with essential words or phrases, meaning that such phrases mustbe in the sentence for a reader's to understand it properly. An example of an essential phrase would be "The painting that the thief stole last night is still missing." To say "The painting is still missing" would leave out essential information - that it's missing because a thief stole it last night.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It doesn’t matter weather it is rainy or sunny tomorrow, because the volleyball team is sure to hold practice. No error
weather
or
because
sure to
No error
When describing two possibilities, the appropriate word is “whether,” not “weather,” which refers to the climate.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While I expected giraffes and monkeys at the zoo, I had no idea their were going to be naked mole rats as well. No error
their
While
zoo, I
as well
No error
In this sentence, the incorrect spelling of their/there/they’re is used. “Their” is a possessive pronoun (e.g. their giraffes), while “there” is used for existence (e.g. there are naked mole rats). The corrected sentence reads: While I expected giraffes and monkeys at the zoo, I had no idea there were going to be naked mole rats as well.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The house on the corner near the evergreens has a gabled roof, that has always appealed to Anna. No error
that
near the evergreens
to Anna
has
No error
Information that is added in a phrase that follows a comma should begin with "which," not "that." "That" is used at the start of a phrase not preceded by a comma that, if removed from a sentence, causes the sentence to not make sense. "Which," on the other hand, is used to begin a phrase that is set apart from the sentence by a comma and can be removed from the sentence without causing it to not make sense. IN this case, "that" should be changed to "which," since omitting the comma is not an option.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The doctor told his patient that he felt that there was an excess of nurses in the office, that was causing some crowding. No error
that
said to
there
in
No error
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the part of the sentence before the comma is being modified by the part of the sentence after the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bill, who was not looking forward to seeing his mean cousins, told his mother, “There going to make fun of me.” No error
There
who
forward to
his
No error
"They’re" is a contraction that means “they are," whereas "there" refers to a specified location. “They’re” is the appropriate word to use in this sentence, not “there.”