SAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors
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Example Question #3 :Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Thecomprehensivechemistry exam consistsinfour partsin whichstudents mustcorrectly identifythe element or compound.No error
No error
correctly identify
in
in which
comprehensive
in
The correct preposition to use with the verb “to consist” is “of.” For example, “The Constitution consists of many sections.”
Example Question #4 :Identifying Word Usage 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 his parentswere at work, Michael skipped school and decided to take the trainforthe city,where他遇到了他的老的肉汤er Jimmyand some of Jimmy'sfriends.No error
where
for
No error
While his parents
and some of Jimmy's
for
"For" is a preposition error, as well as an idiom error. An idiomatic error is a grammatical error, but one that no longer has any logical explanation; it is simply the way we speak, or write in English. The correct preposition to substitute for would be "to."We take trains "to" cities, not "for" them. An idiosyncrasy is something unique or odd to a person that has no explanation. An idiopathic symptom, or illness, medically, is a condition with an unknown cause.
Example Question #11 :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.
Everyonewill tellyouthatoursoccer team isthe bestamongour county.No error
the best
our
among
No error
will tell you
among
This is a sentence with an idiomatic error in the use of a preposition; "among" is the error and "in" would be the a preposition. "Among" is used a bit more like "between" in cases where there are several other entities implied. In this sentence, "best" is correct because there is no comparison between two specific things. A more through rephrasing of the sentence to read "our soccer team is among the best in the country" would also be correct, but would carry the implication that the team was not the single best, but rather was in the top tier of teams.
Example Question #12 :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.
Selena was very angryonher sister forarrivingmorethanthirty minutes late totheircousin’s surprise party.No error
on
arriving
their
No error
than
on
The adjective “angry” should always be paired with either the preposition “with” or "at." For example, “I’m angry with you for missing the appointment.”
Example Question #13 :Identifying Sentence Errors
Her explanation forher absence, that shehad beenat the laundromat and lost track of time, wasconfirmed withthe piles ofneatly folded laundryon the dresser.
had been
No error
confirmed with
neatly folded laundry
her absence
confirmed with
This sentence has a problem with a prepositional idiom. The corrected sentence reads:Her explanation for her absence, that she had been at the laundromat and lost track of time, was confirmed by the piles of neatly folded laundry on the dresser.
Example Question #14 :Identifying Sentence Errors
My two dogshave recently becomerathermutuallyantagonistic,and I amstruggling to keep themseparate toeach other.
No error
and I am
have recently become
separate to
mutually
separate to
This sentence has a problem with prepositional idioms. The corrected sentence reads:My two dogs have recently become rather mutually antagonistic, and I am struggling to keep them separate from each other.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jon, as an avidlover of all animals, decided to protestoverthe depiction of violencetowardsdogs, which isbecomingincreasingly common in feature films.No error
becoming
lover of all animals
towards
over
No error
over
As a general idiomatic rule, the verb "protest" always goes with the preposition "against," not "over." Therefore, the phrase should be "protest against," not "protest over."
Example Question #2 :Identifying Preposition 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 the battermade contactwith the baseball, it zoomedthrewthe airlikea bullet and flew出了park.No error
出了
No error
threw
like
made contact
threw
The preposition here should be spelled "through." "Threw" is the past tense singular form of the verb "to throw" and is not appropriate in this sentence.
Example Question #301 :Identifying Word Usage 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 zoo visitorbecamestartledwhenhe saw the tiger runningathim with a crazed lookinits eyes.No error
when
became
at
No error
in
at
Idiomatically, a person or animal would not be “running at” something, but rather, “running towards” something. Therefore, the underlined word “at” contains the error in the sentence.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
In choosingbetweenhummus,salsa, andguacamole as a dip to serve with pita chips,mostpeople would say that pita chipsarebest served with hummus.No error
salsa, and
between
No error
most
are
between
"Between" is used to compare two items, while "among" should be used to compare three or more items. Given that three items (hummus, salsa, and guacamole) are being compared, "among" should be used instead of "between."
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