SAT Writing : Identifying Conjunction Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #731 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Both Suzannah or Adrienne were excellent children; they always did as they were told. No error

 

Possible Answers:

were told.

excellent children;

Both Suzannah or Adrienne

always did

No error

Correct answer:

Both Suzannah or Adrienne

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "both," and it is followed by a conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and." "Or" is a correlative conjunction used with "either."

Example Question #732 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Both the Supreme Court nor the Senate are venerable political institutions in the United States of AmericaNo error

Possible Answers:

United States of America

the Supreme Court

No error

venerable political institutions

nor

Correct answer:

nor

Explanation:

Whenever you see the word "both" used as a conjunction, it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "and."

Example Question #733 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

It was hard for the children to make the choice their parents had set before them; on their day off, they could either go to the new movie they'd been anticipating but they could invite their friends over for a pool party. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

for the children to make

their parents had set

but they could invite

go to the new movie

Correct answer:

but they could invite

Explanation:

The use of the word "either" implies that a choice must be made, and signals the coming of the word "or." The correct sentence would read "It was hard for the children to make the choice their parents had set before them; on their day off, they could either go to the new movie they'd been anticipating or they could invite their friends over for a pool party." This makes the correct selection "but they could invite."

Example Question #734 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

There was no way out of this sticky situation; the administration was stuck between a rock or a hard place. No error

Possible Answers:

a rock

No error

the administration was

or a hard place

way out of

Correct answer:

or a hard place

Explanation:

When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "between" signals the coming use of the word "and." This means that the phrase in the sentence should read "between a rock and a hard place," and makes the correct selection "or a hard place."

Example Question #741 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Sonya was in complete agreement with everything the speaker had said; if there is to be change, and someone must step up and be the leader. No error

Possible Answers:

everything the speaker

and someone must

to be change

No error

was in complete agreement

Correct answer:

and someone must

Explanation:

When using a correlative conjunction pair, the use of the word "if" signals the coming of the word "then." This means that the sentence should read "if there is to be change, then someone must step up and be the leader," making the correct selection "and someone must."

Example Question #742 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

John enjoys foods from many different culinary backgrounds, so it will be difficult for him to choose which dish he likes better between the Japanese sushi rolls or the Thai curry. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

or

from

so it will

which dish

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

Given that John is choosing between two different options and the sentence uses the word "between" to describe his choosing between these options, "and" should be used to describe his selection of options, not "or."

Example Question #743 : Identifying Sentence Errors

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.

Neither come with me, sir, or you're going to spend your evening in jail. No error

Possible Answers:

me, sir,

you're going

evening in jail.

Neither

No error

Correct answer:

Neither

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or." As such, the "Neither" in the sentence above should be changed to "Either."

Example Question #744 : Identifying Sentence Errors

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.

Neither the Duke or the Baron had anticipated that their liege lord was going to be present at the Summer Palace. No error

Possible Answers:

the Summer Palace.

Baron had

No error

the Duke or

that their liege

Correct answer:

the Duke or

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor."  As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "nor."

Example Question #745 : Identifying Sentence Errors

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.

Either the Mongols nor the Huns were the best horseman in history, but it's hard to choose between the two of them. No error

Possible Answers:

between the two

in history,

were the best

No error

Mongols nor

Correct answer:

Mongols nor

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "either," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "or."  As such, the "nor" in the sentence above should be changed to "or."

Example Question #746 : Identifying Sentence Errors

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.

Not only have you failed your class, but you've disappointed Father as wellNo error

Possible Answers:

your

but you've

Father as well.

No error

you failed

Correct answer:

but you've

Explanation:

Whenever you see the conjunction "not only," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "but also." As such, the "but" in the sentence above should be changed to "but also."

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