SAT Writing › Identifying Other Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
According to our boss, we are suppose to lock the register, clean the restrooms, and restock the shelves before we finish our shifts. No error
suppose to
No error
According to our boss,
restrooms, and
before we finish our shifts.
Here, we have a simple verb error. The correct form is always “supposed to,” never “suppose to.”
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although the weather had became terribly cold and dry of late, a warm front with showers was on its way. No error
had became
Although
of late
was
No error
The error here lies in the verb agreement. Because the past participle is called for, the verb should employ both the past form of the verb "have" (i.e., "had," as it does) and the present form of the verb "become" (i.e., "become," as it does not). Thus, the past form of "become" is incorrect and must be changed to the present form.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If he hadn’t read the book on midwifery, he wouldn’t of known that birthing practices in modern hospitals are sometimes deleterious to women. No error
wouldn’t of known
midwifery,
in modern hospitals
deleterious
No error
We have another simple verb error here. Despite how it sounds in spoken dialogue, the correct form is always “wouldn’t have” and never “wouldn’t of.”
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I can’t hardly see the road; the frost, while beautiful and sparkly, has completely obscured my windshield. No error
I can't hardly see
road;
No error
while beautiful and sparkly,
obscured
The phrase “can’t hardly” works as a double negative and is grammatically incorrect. If you can’t hardly see something, you can actually see it pretty well, which is clearly not the meaning that the speaker of this sentence intends. The correct form would be “I can hardly see the road.” Elsewhere in the sentence, the semicolon is the correct punctuation, since it’s separating 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.
Even though the runners were clearly exhausted and had even begun to limp, the coach wouldn’t let them rest until they had ran the entire course. No error
they had ran
Even though
No error
had even begun
limp,
Here we have an error with the present perfect. The correct conjugation is “they had run,” not “they had ran.”
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
The triplets didn’t rest until they had drove the babysitter insane with their bickering, tantrums, and juvenile games. No error
they had drove
No error
The triplets didn't rest
their bickering,
juvenile
Here we have another error with the present perfect. The correct conjugation is “they had driven,” not “they had drove.”
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Before meeting my best friend, Ana, I had never eaten sushi, climbed a mountain, or went on a roller coaster. No error
went
friend,
Ana,
never eaten sushi,
No error
In order to maintain a parallel structure, each verb in the list should be in the present perfect form. Therefore, the correct conjugation for the final verb is “gone,” as in “I had never gone,” not “went.”
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
We anticipated that John and Michael would want to quickly solve the assigned problems so that they could go home and rest. No error
quickly
anticipated
problems
and
No error
The phrase "to quickly solve" is an example of what is called a split infinitive: the infinitive form of the verb ("to solve") interrupted by another word. In general, modifiers should not interrupt the infinitive structure. The phrase should be corrected to move the word "quickly" to a new position in the sentence (eg., "...John and Michael would want to solve the assigned problems quickly...").
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you want my opinion, the team was doing well with its current coach and shouldn’t of hired the new, inexperienced manager. No error
shouldn't of hired
opinion,
No error
was doing well with its
new, inexperienced
We have a simple verb error here. Despite how it sounds in spoken dialogue, the correct form is always “shouldn’t have” and never “shouldn’t of.”
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Without Jeff’s encouragement, guidance, and support, I couldn’t have graduated with high honors. No error
No error
encouragement,
guidance,
and
I couldn't have
This sentence is correctly punctuated and contains no errors. “I couldn’t have” is the proper form of the past perfect. Each item in the list is correctly separated by a comma, and the dependent clause is correctly separated from the main clause by a comma.