Identifying Verb Errors
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SAT Writing › Identifying 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.
Explanation
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.
Margaret carried her dog, which was often clad in a pink and white argyle sweater, everywhere she goes. No error
she goes
often
clad
pink and white argyle sweater
No error
Explanation
The first part of the sentence is in the past tense ("carried"), but the second is in the present ("goes"). These should be kept consistent. Changing "goes" to "went" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Margaret carried her dog, which was often clad in a pink and white argyle sweater, everywhere she went."
Allowed the students to continue their protest, the police stood watch without making a move.
Allowing the students to continue their protest
Allowed the students to continue their protest
Allowing the students to continue they're protest
Allowed the students to continue they're protest
Allowed students to continue their protest
Explanation
The underlined portion of the sentence is a conditional phrase, explaining the condition under which "the police stood watch." As such, the verb in the phrase needs to actually be a gerund, or a verb describing action that functions as a noun; therefore, "Allowing the students to continue their protest," is the correct answer choice.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The letter from the scholarship committee said that he had selected to be one of the recipients of the prestigious $10,000 scholarship because of his excellent grades and volunteer work. No error
had selected
from the scholarship committee
because of his excellent grades and volunteer work
one of the recipients of
No error
Explanation
We say that someone “is selected” by a committee to be the recipient of an award. This is in the passive voice. This sentence instead uses the active voice to describe the student who has been selected for the scholarship. To correct this, we need to change “had selected,” which is active, to “had been selected,” which is passive.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although Steven does not usually have an appetite, he has ate more tonight than anyone else at the dinner. No error
has ate
Although
he
than
No error
Explanation
The phrase "has ate" should be "has eaten." "Eaten" is the proper participle for the present perfect form.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I am finding them on clearance everywhere. No error
am finding
As soon as
expensive
everywhere
No error
Explanation
This sentence has a problem with the timeline of verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I found them on clearance everywhere."
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.
Explanation
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.
As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I am finding them on clearance everywhere. No error
am finding
As soon as
expensive
everywhere
No error
Explanation
This sentence has a problem with the timeline of verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I found them on clearance everywhere."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The letter from the scholarship committee said that he had selected to be one of the recipients of the prestigious $10,000 scholarship because of his excellent grades and volunteer work. No error
had selected
from the scholarship committee
because of his excellent grades and volunteer work
one of the recipients of
No error
Explanation
We say that someone “is selected” by a committee to be the recipient of an award. This is in the passive voice. This sentence instead uses the active voice to describe the student who has been selected for the scholarship. To correct this, we need to change “had selected,” which is active, to “had been selected,” which is passive.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although Steven does not usually have an appetite, he has ate more tonight than anyone else at the dinner. No error
has ate
Although
he
than
No error
Explanation
The phrase "has ate" should be "has eaten." "Eaten" is the proper participle for the present perfect form.