SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #27 :Identifying Punctuation 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.
Ireallyenjoy eating outwith mostof myfriends;but I don't enjoy spending time withEmmett.NO ERROR
Emmett.
with most
NO ERROR
friends;
really
friends;
It is possible to separate two independent clauses with a semi-colon. It is also possible to separate two independent clauses with a comma and a conjunction, but you can't mix and match the two methods. The sentence above should read, "I really enjoy eating out with most of my friends, but I don't enjoy spending time with Emmett."
Example Question #28 :Identifying Punctuation 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.
The old manwas extremelytired;he hadundergoneone of the most arduous ordeals ofhis long life.NO ERROR
NO ERROR
tired;
undergone
The old man
his long life.
NO ERROR
The sentence above consists of two independent clauses. One way to join two such clauses is to use a semi-colon. The sentence above is correct as it is written.
Example Question #29 :Identifying Punctuation 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 ceremonybegan;shelitthe candle andpassedit to Natasha.No error
No error
The ceremony
began;
lit
passed
No error
"The ceremony began" and "she lit the candle and passed it to Natasha" alone are both independent clauses. A semicolon or a comma with a conjunction can be used to connect the two independent clauses into one sentence. The rest of the sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #81 :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.
As shewaspacking for college, Jennamadea list of itemsto takethat included the followingthings;alarm clock, trash can, and pillows.No error
things;
to take
No error
made
was
things;
When introducing a list of items following an independent clause a colon should be used, not a semicolon. Semicolons combine two independent clauses, or two sentences that could each stand alone. This is not the case here since "alarm clock, trash can, and pillows" cannot be its own sentence.
Example Question #82 :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.
Wehadseveralsnacksto choosefrom;popcorn, chips, chocolate, and ice cream.No error
to choose
several
No error
had
from;
from;
When beginning a list of three or more items following an independent clause, a colon should be used not a semicolon. Semicolons are only used to combine two independent clauses into one sentence.
Example Question #83 :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.
Cindy isgenerally一个欧tgoingperson,however, tonightshehardly said aword.No error
she
generally
No error
word
person,
person,
There should be a semicolon after "person" because the sentence includes two independent clauses. Separating two independent clauses with just a comma creates a comma splice error. Comma splice errors can be fixed by inserting a coordinating conjunction after the comma, replacing the comma with a semicolon, or replacing the comma with a period.
Example Question #84 :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.
The professorwasnot only known forheroratoricalskills;but also for her compassion forstudents.No error
her
was
students
skills;
No error
skills;
There should be a comma after skills, not a semicolon. A semicolon connects two independent clauses into one sentence. "But also for her compassion for students" cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Example Question #85 :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.
WhenIvisitedSpain with my parents, I reallywantedto see fourcities;马德里、巴塞罗那、瓦伦西亚和塞维利亚。No error
No error
visited
When
cities;
wanted
cities;
At the introduction of a list following an independent clause, a colon should be used, not a semicolon. The items in this list do not form an independent clause, and therefore should not be preceded by a semicolon.
Example Question #81 :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.
Juan'sgrandmotherwasbecomingfrailquickly:she was getting thinnerbythe second.No error
quickly:
grandmother
by
No error
becoming
quickly:
There should be a semicolon after quickly rather than a colon, since there are two independent clauses in the sentence. Two independent clauses should be connected into a compound sentence with a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction.
Example Question #87 :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.
KinjaldrivesaMercedes;Michael drivesaToyota.No error
No error
drives
a
Toyota
Mercedes;
No error
The sentence is correct as written. The semicolon is correctly used to connect two independent clauses into one sentence. A comma and a conjunction, or a period would also have been acceptable options here.
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