SAT Review: The Grammar Section:

Identifying and correcting errors in sentences

What to look for in the sentence correction section of the SAT:

  1. Check the subject and predicate. Make sure the subject and the predicate agree.

Look out for special words like neither, either etc.

Neither the girls nor the boy is going.

Neither the girl nor the boys are going.

  1. Check the pronouns and make sure the pronoun has an antecedent, and it is correct in number.

Incorrect: Someone left their book in the classroom.

Correct: Someone left his or her book in the classroom.

  1. Check that the clauses are next to the nouns they modify
  2. Incorrect: The toy was given to the child that we no longer wanted.
  3. Correct: The toy that we no longer wanted was given to the child.
  1. Check that describing phrases (participial phrases) are next to the nouns they modify.

Caught in a trap, the fishnet strangled the poor fish.

Caught in a trap, the poor fish died.

  1. Check for comma splices. Use periods, conjunctions or semicolons before the following words: accordingly, however, consequently, also, thus, nevertheless, hence, indeed, etc.
  1. Check the pronouns: Use object case after verbs and prepositions. This secret stays between you and me.

For the predicate nominative, nouns after a linking verbs (the verb to be) use subject case.

It is she who helped me.

These are they.

  1. Linking verbs take adjectives. Action verbs take adverbs

He feels badly about the mistake.

I feel certain about the answer.

He walks confidently.

  1. Check for parallelism.
  1. Fix commonly confused words.
  1. Fix any shifts in tense.
  1. Use Active voice.
  1. Make the sentence as concise as possible.

Directions: Correct all sentences that contain an error. Some sentences may be correct. Other sentences could have more than one error.

  1. Each of the girls in the play has their own prop to transport an off the stage.
  1. I ran to the track, my teammate was already done with his grueling workout.
  1. Either the students or the teacher is responsible for the terrible test grades. Larry ascended up the ladder to reach the gutters that were disgusting after the windy and rainy season.
  1. Larry ascended up the ladder to reach the gutters that were disgusting after the windy and rainy season.
  1. None of them are going with you and I to the Red Sox game.
  1. Nathalie and Dave gave a toy to their children with purple and webbed feet.
  1. In Italy, all of us loved the food the ancient Roman architecture and to walk on the narrow cobbles one streets.
  1. I lay the baby down for a nap while the babysitting and laid downon the couch next to the crib.
  1. Vases filled with roses were placed on each table by the caterers.
  1. The affect of all the flowers are allergies for the bridesmaids.

Exercise 2

Directions: correct all sentences that contain a error. Some sentences may be correct; others could have more than one error.

  1. Although criticized by a few for her unusual writing style and language, most people view Toni Morrison as a great writer.
  1. The council debated several important measures last evening, nevertheless, no votes were taken by the council member.
  1. Motorcycles and mopeds may be close in size, but the motorcycle is the more dangerous of the two and the moped the best on gas mileage.
  1. She performed flawless on the balance beams which won her a spot on the Olympics team.
  1. Is it her who deserves to receive a scholarship or should each of the students in the class receive their scholarships as well?
  1. For as many as thirty years or more, teachers have been running the SAT prep classes in the early spring. Hint: where is the sentence too wordy?
  1. Where’s the letters that were sent to the registrar’s office which were supposed to be mailed out before June first?
  1. Neither of the colleges that he planned to apply to were at the symposium; which really bothered his parents and guidance counselor.
  1. Michaud seemed cautious about driving the new car but once he got behind the wheel of the car he felt confidently about driving.
  1. Many schools in the area are forming stress committees because it will help the students immensely.

Exercise 3:

  1. This necklace was given to me by my grandmother, that is why I wear it all the time.
  1. Who did you give the oatmeal cookies to?
  1. Gertrude and her are the loveliest women at the park each day, they sit on the bench and feed the birds.
  1. When only tow years old my father took me to his birthplace in Vienna Austria.
  1. My oldest brother John loves to sleep in late, to read the newspaper in the morning and pancakes for breakfast.
  1. Gregory was admired by Francesca with a sharply trimmed mustache and a nicely tailored tuxedo.
  1. Any student who has high interest or is reasonably motivated can do well in college.
  1. Although one likes to think your best writing comes quickly and late at night, such a view is highly unlikely.
  1. Before signing up for next year’s courses, the students’ schedules should be checked for accuracy by their counselors and signed by their parents.
  1. Here is a few of the answers from the most recent chemistry exam although each of the questions on the exam were screened for their accuracy.