SAT Writing : Identifying Conjunction Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Identifying Conjunction 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
Both Suzannah or Adrienne
always did
were told.
excellent children;
No error
Both Suzannah or Adrienne
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 #25 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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 America. No error
venerable political institutions
the Supreme Court
United States of America
nor
No error
nor
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 #26 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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
No error
but they could invite
go to the new movie
for the children to make
their parents had set
but they could invite
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 #27 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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
the administration was
or a hard place
a rock
way out of
No error
or a hard place
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 #32 : Identifying Conjunction 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
No error
to be change
was in complete agreement
everything the speaker
and someone must
and someone must
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 #33 : Identifying Conjunction 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
which dish
so it will
or
No error
from
or
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 #29 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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
me, sir,
evening in jail.
Neither
No error
you're going
Neither
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 #31 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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
Baron had
the Duke or
the Summer Palace.
No error
that their liege
the Duke or
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 #32 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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
were the best
in history,
Mongols nor
between the two
No error
Mongols nor
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 #33 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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 well. No error
but you've
No error
Father as well.
your
you failed
but you've
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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