Identifying Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
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SAT Writing › Identifying Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
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.
The man walked into the store; bought his groceries, and went back home. NO ERROR
store; bought
The man
NO ERROR
groceries,
back home.
Explanation
Introductory or interrupting phrases, i.e. phrases that are subordinate and add information to a sentence but are not necessary to the sentence being complete, must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Using a semi-colon for such a purpose is erroenous. In the sentence above "store; bought" should read "store, bought."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Werent you supposed to be guarding the food stores last night? No error
Werent
supposed
No error
be guarding
night?
Explanation
"Weren't" is a contraction of the words "were not" and must always contain an apostrophe. "Werent" is incorrect as written in the provided sentence, as it is missing this apostrophe.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
Hunters in the boreal region have complained about the statewide hunting sanctions, since the local deers’ prevalence has led to the destruction of many valuable crops. No error
the local deers’
No error
sanctions
boreal region
has led to
Explanation
The plural of deer is “deer,” not “deers,” so the correct possessive form would be “deer’s.” Everything else in the sentence is grammatically correct.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
"How much farther do we have to go?", she panted, her breathing coming hard as they began to run up a steep hill. No error
go?",
farther
panted,
have
No error
Explanation
In standard American English, quotations that end in an exclamation point or question mark require no further punctuation to set them off from the rest of the sentence; the comma following the quotation marks can be eliminated.
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 stand the old man's behavior in public," cried Angelina. He is so rude." No error
Angelina. He
"I can't stand
No error
man's behavior
rude."
Explanation
Quotation marks, used to convey that someone is speaking, should always precede the first letter of the quotation, and follow the final punctuation mark of the quotation. If there is an intervening part of the sentence in the middle of a quotation, then it should be separated from the quotation marks by punctuation. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "I can't stand the old man's behavior in public," cried Angelina. "He is so rude."
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.
He ran to and from the store; several times. No error
;
No error
He ran
and
times.
Explanation
Semicolons are predominantly used to separate two independent clauses. In the sentence above, the semicolon is incorrect because it is not separating two such clauses. The best way to correct this sentence would be to simply remove the semicolon.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The carousel, originally introduced to Europe during the Crusades, was derived from a jousting game; and later became a staple at fairs and amusement parks. No error
game;
carousel, originally
Crusades,
fairs and amusement parks
No error
Explanation
A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses. In this case, the phrase after the semicolon is not an independent clause but rather a compound predicate of the subject "The carousel." No punctuation is needed here.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Werent you supposed to be guarding the food stores last night? No error
Werent
supposed
No error
be guarding
night?
Explanation
"Weren't" is a contraction of the words "were not" and must always contain an apostrophe. "Werent" is incorrect as written in the provided sentence, as it is missing this apostrophe.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
Hunters in the boreal region have complained about the statewide hunting sanctions, since the local deers’ prevalence has led to the destruction of many valuable crops. No error
the local deers’
No error
sanctions
boreal region
has led to
Explanation
The plural of deer is “deer,” not “deers,” so the correct possessive form would be “deer’s.” Everything else in the sentence is grammatically correct.
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Scientists have been tracking the Canadian geeses’ migratory patterns for the better part of thirty years, and they have begun to notice some unusual habits. No error.
geeses'
have been tracking
the better
have begun
No error.
Explanation
The plural of goose is “geese,” not “geeses,” so the correct possessive form would be “geese’s.” "The better part of" is a commonly used phrase, and "have been tracking" and "have begun" are both the correct forms of the present perfect.