SAT Writing: Sentence Errors II Quiz!

1. Harry and Sarah walks to the store to buy a gallon of milk and a can of green beans for the dinner tonight.

Walks

To the store

A gallon

And a can of

No Error

Harry and Sarah is a plural subject while "walks" is conjugated as a singular verb. "walks" should be "walk." (Subject/Verb Agreement)

Explanation

Harry and Sarah is a plural subject while "walks" is conjugated as a singular verb. "walks" should be "walk." (Subject/Verb Agreement)

2. In this family, we are not to shout, to scream, to argue, or fussing.

In this

We are

Not

Fussing

No Error

Here is a parallel structure issue. The infinitive ("to" + verb) is used in the first three elements of the list whereas the gerund (verb + "ing") is used in the last element. "fussing" should be "to fuss." (Parallelism)

Explanation

Here is a parallel structure issue. The infinitive ("to" + verb) is used in the first three elements of the list whereas the gerund (verb + "ing") is used in the last element. "fussing" should be "to fuss." (Parallelism)

3. Even though many people are against free trade, there is still many supporters of the NAFTA and CAFTA acts.

Even though

Many people

Are against

There is

No Error

"there is" marks a singular verb construction where as "many supporters" indicates a plural subject. (Subject/verb agreement)

Explanation

"there is" marks a singular verb construction where as "many supporters" indicates a plural subject. (Subject/verb agreement)

4. I told him that he needed to finish quick.

I

Him

He

Quick

No Error

"quick" is an adjective that is being used as an adverb. It should be changed to "quickly." (Adverb usage)

Explanation

"quick" is an adjective that is being used as an adverb. It should be changed to "quickly." (Adverb usage)

5. Einstein couldn't hardly do well in school as a young boy but excelled in his later years.

Couldn't hardly

Do well

As a

But excelled

No Error

"couldn't hardly" is a double negative construction, which is a no-no in the English language. "Couldn't hardly" should be "could hardly." (Double negative)

Explanation

"couldn't hardly" is a double negative construction, which is a no-no in the English language. "Couldn't hardly" should be "could hardly." (Double negative)

6. Mom or dad are going to pick you up after the game.

Dad

Are

Going to

Pick you up

No Error

The use of the word "or" makes "Mom or dad" a singular subject while "are" is a plural verb. (Subject/verb agreement)

Explanation

The use of the word "or" makes "Mom or dad" a singular subject while "are" is a plural verb. (Subject/verb agreement)

7. There was agreement that I would mop the floor, Teryl would wash the dishes, and Bob was going to clean the living room.

There was

That

Mop the floor

Was going to

No Error

The conditional actions are marked by the use of the word "would" in the first two elements of the list, but the phrase "Bob was going to..." is an incorrect change of tense within the list. To maintain parallelism, it should be "Bob would..." (Parallel Structure / Incorrect Tense)

Explanation

The conditional actions are marked by the use of the word "would" in the first two elements of the list, but the phrase "Bob was going to..." is an incorrect change of tense within the list. To maintain parallelism, it should be "Bob would..." (Parallel Structure / Incorrect Tense)

8. I really envy how calm and collected rock stars can be; even when there is so much people watching them, they stay focused and energetic.

Really

Can be

So much

Focused

No Error

The word "much" is used when describing uncountable things whereas "many" is used to describe countable sets. People are countable (discreet) and so the word "many" ought to be used. (Using the right word)

Explanation

The word "much" is used when describing uncountable things whereas "many" is used to describe countable sets. People are countable (discreet) and so the word "many" ought to be used. (Using the right word)

9. Humility is a quality that I believe she exemplifies.

Is

A

I

She

No Error

This sentence is correct as written.

Explanation

This sentence is correct as written.

10. Hitler was a marginal general at best; he was to haughty and emotional to be an effective commander.

Was a

He was

To

To be an

No Error

The word "to" should be "too," meaning in excess. (Using the right word)

Explanation

The word "to" should be "too," meaning in excess. (Using the right word)

11. Everyone, including Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, are in shock of Jamie's terrible behavior.

Including

And

Are

Jamie's

No Error

"Everyone" is a singular subject while "are" is a plural verb. (Subject/verb agreement)

Explanation

"Everyone" is a singular subject while "are" is a plural verb. (Subject/verb agreement)

12. While Marxism is a decidedly materialistic philosophy, I find capitalism being more materialistic.

While

Is a

Being

More

No Error

"Being" is a gerund and cannot replace a verb. "Being" should be replaced by "is." (Tense error)

Explanation

"Being" is a gerund and cannot replace a verb. "Being" should be replaced by "is." (Tense error)

13. In spite of our differences, I still think we cover a lot of common ground.

In spite of

Our

We

Common ground

No Error

This sentence is correct as written.

Explanation

This sentence is correct as written.

14. Even though you may be stressed, it is important that one still focuses in times of trouble.

Even though

May be

It is

One

No Error

The informal "you" is used at the beginning of the sentence whereas the objective "one" is used at the end. You must stay consistent; "one" should be "you." (Pronoun case)

Explanation

The informal "you" is used at the beginning of the sentence whereas the objective "one" is used at the end. You must stay consistent; "one" should be "you." (Pronoun case)

15. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher are prepared for the upcoming game.

Neither

Nor

Are

Game

No Error

"Neither ... nor" construction implies a singular subject, whereas "are" is a plural verb. (Subject/verb agreement)

Explanation

"Neither ... nor" construction implies a singular subject, whereas "are" is a plural verb. (Subject/verb agreement)

16. Moorish Spain was no savage civilization and we should recognize them.

Spain

Was

Civilization

Them

No Error

Moorish Spain is a singular subject, while "them" is a plural pronoun. In addition, it is unclear whether "them" refers to Moorish Spain or the fact that Moorish Spain was no savage civilization. Thus, "them" is incorrect in both its agreement with the antecedent and in its ambiguity. (Pronoun/antecedent agreement, ambiguous pronoun)

Explanation

Moorish Spain is a singular subject, while "them" is a plural pronoun. In addition, it is unclear whether "them" refers to Moorish Spain or the fact that Moorish Spain was no savage civilization. Thus, "them" is incorrect in both its agreement with the antecedent and in its ambiguity. (Pronoun/antecedent agreement, ambiguous pronoun)

17. Some believe that a more conservative "fourth-wave" of feminism will replace the current "third-wave" feminism and the liberal values they endorse.

Some believe

More conservative

Replace the

They endorse

No Error

"Third-wave" feminism is a singular antecedent, but "they" is a plural pronoun. "They" should be "it endorses" (Pronoun/antecedent agreement, Subject/verb agreement)

Explanation

"Third-wave" feminism is a singular antecedent, but "they" is a plural pronoun. "They" should be "it endorses" (Pronoun/antecedent agreement, Subject/verb agreement)

18. Even though he thinks he is hot stuff, I am a much better violinist than him.

Even though

He thinks

Is hot stuff

Him

No Error

Although this sentence may "sound right," "him" should actually be "he" as "him" is in the incorrect case. If you ever want to clarify, a good rule of thumb is to add the implied verb "is/are" after the pronoun. The sentence becomes "...better violinist than him is" which is clearly wrong. (Pronoun case)

Explanation

Although this sentence may "sound right," "him" should actually be "he" as "him" is in the incorrect case. If you ever want to clarify, a good rule of thumb is to add the implied verb "is/are" after the pronoun. The sentence becomes "...better violinist than him is" which is clearly wrong. (Pronoun case)

19. I told them that if I was elected, I would not betray the ideals of our upright democracy.

I told

I was

I would

Of our

No Error

The conditional tense is incorrectly employed. The sentence should read "if I were..." (Tense error)

Explanation

The conditional tense is incorrectly employed. The sentence should read "if I were..." (Tense error)

20. Freud's theories regarding psychoanalysis, and more particularly his theory regarding the Elektra Complex, has come into question by feminist critics.

Regarding

Has

Come into

By

No Error

"Freud's theories" is a plural subject while "has" is a singular verb. (Subject/verb agreement)

Explanation

"Freud's theories" is a plural subject while "has" is a singular verb. (Subject/verb agreement)

21. I preceeded to tell him that I was unhappy with his current output and that I expected much better from him.

Preceeded

To tell

Him that

His current output

No Error

To precede is to come before. To proceed is to move on or go on. Clearly, the correct word to use here is "proceed." (Using the right word)

Explanation

To precede is to come before. To proceed is to move on or go on. Clearly, the correct word to use here is "proceed." (Using the right word)

22. It is only a natural reaction that the cat would scratch you, and you should not take it so personally.

It is

Only

Would scratch you

Take it so

No Error

This sentence is correct as written.

Explanation

This sentence is correct as written.

23. The first two superbowls were won by Green Bay but in these times anybody could win the big game.

First

Were won

In these times

Could win

No Error

This sentence is correct as written.

Explanation

This sentence is correct as written.

24. Clearly, Donald will not be in support of Mr. Phelps and I will do everything I can to support him.

Clearly

Will not be

And I will

Him

No Error

It is unclear whether "him" refers to Donald or Mr. Phelps and therefore "him" is an ambiguous pronoun. (Ambiguous pronoun)

Explanation

It is unclear whether "him" refers to Donald or Mr. Phelps and therefore "him" is an ambiguous pronoun. (Ambiguous pronoun)

25. Contracting any disease is not to be taken lightly but HIV is the worst.

Any

Disease

Is

HIV

No Error

"Contracting any disease" uses a different sentence structure than simply adding the noun "HIV." To match the sentence, "HIV" should be "contracting HIV." (Parallelism)

Explanation

"Contracting any disease" uses a different sentence structure than simply adding the noun "HIV." To match the sentence, "HIV" should be "contracting HIV." (Parallelism)