SAT Writing › Identifying Modifier-Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After learning that many experts believe that fear is a healthy evolutionary responses, he felt significantly less afraid of the dark. No error
responses
After learning
believe
less
No error
"Responses" is incorrect in this sentence as it is part of the phrase "a healthy evolutionary responses." The use of the singular indefinite article "a" means that the noun to which it refers has to be singular for the phrase to be grammatically correct. Changing "responses" to "response" would correct the sentence's error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After practicing for hour on end, Sarah finally managed to perform a perfect kickflip on her skateboard. No error
hour
managed
perform
her
No error
The structure of the sentence suggests that Sarah practiced for several hours in a row. The phrase "hours on end" would be correct.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She runs very fast; sometimes it's quite uncanny. No error
fast
very
it's
uncanny
No error
In the example sentence, the word "fast" is used to describe how the subject of the sentence runs, and the word "very" is being used to modify this description. Therefore, it is correct should use an adverb (for instance swiftly or quickly) in place of "fast." Anytime the manner in which an action is performed is described it is correct to use an adverb, rather than a modified adjective (or any adjective at all). Adverbs describe some of the most important aspects of life, not merely the subject and the verb that subject did, but the way that thing was done.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
"That blond man is real suspicious," said John. No error
real
is
blond
suspicious," said
No error
Here, the world "real" is being used to describe "the blonde man's" level of suspicion, and it seeks to do so by modifying the verb "is." Given that the word in question should be an adverb, you need to replace it with a word such as "really."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Josie ran as quick as the wind; she knew that she needed to gain some distance now, if she wanted a chance to win the race. No error
quick
to gain
now,
to win
No error
The word "quick" is modifying the verb "ran." Any time a verb is modified, it is correct to use an adverb (in this case, "quickly") rather than an adjective. A runner is quick, but that runner runs "quickly."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although many think of them as incredibly fast, my cheetah runs less than half as fast as my pet falcon flies. No error
them
my pet
as fast as
less than
No error
"A cheetah" is singular, which does not match with the pronoun "them" used to refer to the cheetah in the preceding clause.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jon's mother did not let him organize a garage sale for the family because she did not like the idea of strangers being able to peruse their many belonging. No error
belonging
let him
for
idea of
No error
Given that the descriptor "many" is used to describe "belonging," "belonging" should be plural. Therefore "belonging" should actually be "belongings."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Which of the two track stars will be quickest than the other? No error
quickest
Which of the two
will be
other?
No error
In the sentence above, the phrase "which of the two track stars" is being modified by the word "quickest." Only two things are being compared, so a comparative adjective should be used, rather than a superlative. Superlatives are used when one item is being distinguished from a group of 3 or more items; comparatives are used to directly compare two items. The best way to correct the sentence above is:
"Which of the two track stars will be quicker than the other?"
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The replacement referee is supposedly just as good as the regular Mr. Peterson, but I don't trust them. No error
them.
replacement
No error
is
as good as
In the example sentence, the plural pronoun "them" is used to incorrectly refer to the singular "replacement referee." To fix this sentence, "them" should be switched to "him."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The soldiers may well have been the bravest man in the unit, but that bravery cost him his life. No error
soldiers
bravest man in the unit
but that
cost him his life
No error
In the sentence above, the word "soldiers" is being modified by the phrase "bravest man in the unit." Therefore, we know that soldiers should be singular. The best way to correct the sentence above is:
"The soldier may well have been the bravest man in the unit, but that bravery cost him his life."