SAT Writing : Identifying Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #10 : Identifying Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We didn't have to look too hard for the owner of the green striped men's socks; only Jeremy would ever wear socks that tacky. No error
too hard
No error
would ever
socks that tacky
green striped men's socks
green striped men's socks
In the sentence above, the adjectives "green" and "striped" are intended to modify "socks" but have been misplaced to modify "men's" instead.
Example Question #171 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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.
The budding poet finished, during the first year of college, twenty poems and a novella, but she was too afraid to show any of them to her parents. No error
novella, but
No error
budding
of them
during the first year of college
during the first year of college
The error in this sentence is "during the first year of college" because it is an interrupting modifier. An interrupting modifier seperates the verb ("wrote") from its direct object ("twenty poems and a novella"), making the sentence less clear. A corrected sentence would be: "During the first year of college, the budding poet wrote twenty poems and a novella, but she was too afraid to show any of them to her parents."
Example Question #172 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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 is possible that James will have been able to afford the vacation if he had saved more of his money. No error
if
will have
No error
had saved
been able
will have
The phrases “been able” and “had saved” are both referring to something that did or could have happened in the past. In keeping with the same tense, “will have” should be in the conditional form that would correctly describe a possibility in the past—“would have.”
Example Question #941 : 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.
Our physics teacher is famous for distributing papers to students while at the same time chewing his gum quite loudly. No error
distributing
loudly
physics
No error
at the same time
at the same time
“At the same time” means the same thing as “while.” Therefore, it is redundant, and doesn't need to be included in the sentence.
Example Question #942 : 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.
Certain colors are associated with certain emotions in our minds, and while certain smells are associated with certain memories. No error
are
with
No error
associated
and while
and while
Either "while" or "and" could be used as a proper transition between the two sections of the sentence, but the phrase "and while" is overly wordy and therefore incorrect.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Our Algebra homework this week was definitely without a doubt the most challenging assignment yet, so it was gratifying to get a perfect score on it. No error
yet, so
most
Algebra
without a doubt
No error
without a doubt
"Without a doubt" means the same thing as "definitely" and therefore does not need to be included in the sentence.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When Lonnie stepped onto the field, he was definitely without a doubt the most confident member of our high school marching band. No error.
No error
definitely without a doubt
most confident
our
When Lonnie stepped
definitely without a doubt
"Without a doubt" means the same thing as "definitely," and is therefore redundant when used in the above sentence.
Example Question #943 : 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.
While when Rachel was cleaning her apartment, she found her long-lost high school yearbook beneath her cat's bed. No error.
long-lost
found
when
No error
beneath
when
In the sentence above, "when" is redundant since "While" is already used.
Example Question #944 : 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.
Jonah was really thirsty during the day, but however he didn't have enough money to buy a bottle of water from the vending machine. No error.
No error
to buy
however
really
from
however
In the sentence above, "however" is redundant, since "but" is already used.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
April's pencils were not all sharpened, even though although she had run them through the sharpener several times. No error.
run them
No error
were not
several
although
although
In this instance, "although" means the same thing as "even though" and is therefore redundant.
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