SAT Identify Sentence Errors Practice Test 1a

1. Because_A they played by_B the rules, the members of the team were given_C a standing ovation even though it_D did not win the match. No error_E.

-

It has no antecedent. Change to they or the team.

Explanation

It has no antecedent. Change to they or the team.

2. My uncle, who_A was_B on vacation, along with my two cousins and I_C, went_D fishing down by the river. No error_E.

-

Change I to me (object of a preposition).

Explanation

Change I to me (object of a preposition).

3. You would_A have to choose her _B, if you are looking for_C the best athlete to represent_D the school. No error_E.

-

Change would to will. 'Will' is future tense. 'Would' is conditional (e.g., If I knew the answer, I would tell you).

Explanation

Change would to will. 'Will' is future tense. 'Would' is conditional (e.g., If I knew the answer, I would tell you).

4. Neither of my brothers do_A anything to make life better for our_B parents who_C are both suffering from_D arthritis. No error_E.

-

Neither is singular and so we should change do to does.

Explanation

Neither is singular and so we should change do to does.

5. We have no choice but_A to appoint Mary:_B she is the best_C of the two candidates, and there is_D no prospect of finding more applicants. No error_E.

-

Since there are only two candidates we must use better not best.

Explanation

Since there are only two candidates we must use better not best.

6. Her avaricious_A relatives assembled at the lawyer's_B office to hear the reading of_C Jemima's will_D. No error_E.

-

No error.

Explanation

No error.

7. We hope_A, we can be_B able to complete the building before_C the rainy season sets in_D. No error_E.

-

Hope implies future tense. Change 'can' to 'will'.

Explanation

Hope implies future tense. Change 'can' to 'will'.

8. The teacher sat_A down besides_B the frightened child and tried to reassure_C him that the monster was merely_D imaginary. No error_E.

-

Change besides to beside. "Beside" is a preposition meaning "next to." "Besides" is a preposition meaning "except"

Explanation

Change besides to beside. "Beside" is a preposition meaning "next to." "Besides" is a preposition meaning "except"

9. The reason I will_A not be going_B to Mexico this year is because_C I will use up all my travel money attending_D an important meeting in Singapore. No error_E.

-

The correct usage is to say, “the reason is that”, not “the reason is because”. 'Reason is because' is a redundancy. 'Because' already means 'for the reason that'

Explanation

The correct usage is to say, “the reason is that”, not “the reason is because”. 'Reason is because' is a redundancy. 'Because' already means 'for the reason that'

10. If you were_A to work at least four hours a day on the project, we would_B complete it in a shorter_C time, and with less_D problems. No error_E.

-

Change less to fewer. Generally, when nouns are 'countable' use fewer; when nouns are 'uncountable' use less.

Explanation

Change less to fewer. Generally, when nouns are 'countable' use fewer; when nouns are 'uncountable' use less.

11. The new library is undoubtedly _A well stocked and functional, but_B no one can say that its_C atmosphere is anything like the old one_D. No error_E.

-

Incorrect comparison. Atmosphere must be compared to atmosphere. We could write, “... its atmosphere is anything like 'that' of the old one.”

Explanation

Incorrect comparison. Atmosphere must be compared to atmosphere. We could write, “... its atmosphere is anything like 'that' of the old one.”

12. All the trapped miners began_A to lose_B hope, it_C had been twenty four hours since_D the tunnel collapsed. No error_E.

-

Change the comma to a semi-colon since you can't join two sentences with a comma. You could use a comma and conjunction, but since the two sentences are related, a semicolon is a better fit.

Explanation

Change the comma to a semi-colon since you can't join two sentences with a comma. You could use a comma and conjunction, but since the two sentences are related, a semicolon is a better fit.

13. He was expected not merely_A to contribute funds to the project, but_B to work as hard as_C the other_D patrons. No error_E.

-

No error. Parallel structure.

Explanation

No error. Parallel structure.

14. The manager tried hard to effect _A a change in company policy, but_B the owner, who steadfastly refused to compromise_C, overruled_D him on every point. No error_E.

-

No error.

Explanation

No error.

15. None of us_A knows_B what the outcome of the battle between_C the coordinator and us_D will be. No error_E.

-

No error.

Explanation

No error.