Sentence Correction Solved Questions | Grammar for Digital SAT PDF Download

Directions

The following questions assess correctness and effective expression. When choosing an answer, consider grammar, word choice, sentence structure, and punctuation. Each sentence has a portion underlined, and the A answer repeats the underlined part from the original sentence. The next four answers provide alternatives. Select the answer that best conveys the original sentence's meaning while maintaining grammatical correctness and stylistic superiority. The correct choice should be clear, unambiguous, and concise.

Analysis of Directions

• This question format features a single sentence with an underlined portion. Five options are provided, each representing a possible alternative for the underlined part. 
• The remaining portion of the sentence that is not underlined must be taken into account to determine the best answer among the five choices. 
• The initial option, A, reproduces the original version, while the following four options introduce modifications. In some cases, the original sentence may be superior to the proposed alternatives. 
• If you identify no error and believe the original sentence is the best, select choice A. 
• It is important to note that the correct choice should be clear, unambiguous, and concise.

Suggested Approaches with Samples

The sentences in this test section may contain similar errors to those found in the Identifying Sentence Errors (Usage) section. The following errors are frequently tested in the Improving Sentences section of the exam.

Misplaced Modifier Errors, Dangling Phrases

Misplaced parts in a sentence can be awkward without being strictly considered grammatical errors. Therefore, questions testing for misplaced parts will typically require you to choose a sentence that is not only grammatically correct but also clear, precise, and free from awkwardness and ambiguity. Pay attention to sentences that appear unusual or have unnatural word order. Additionally, be mindful of phrases that lack a clear element to modify, known as "dangling modifiers."

SAMPLE QUESTION: When she was only five, Janet's mother married for the third time.
(a) When she was only five, Janet's mother married for the third time.
(b) When only five, Janet's mother married for the third time.
(c) When Janet was only five, her mother married for the third time.
(d) When Janet's mother married for the third time, she was only five.
(e) Janet's mother married, when Janet was only five, for the third time.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The major problem in this sentence is the uncertainty about whom the "when she was only five" clause modifies — Janet or her mother. In choices A and D, the "she" appears to refer to the mother, while choice B, though the pronoun is missing, also seems to make the marrying mother five years old. Both C and E remove the ambiguity. In the choice between these two sentences, C is preferable, since E places the phrase "for the third time" awkwardly away from the verb "married," which it modifies. The correct answer is C.

Parallel Construction Errors

Exercise caution when dealing with sentences that employ correlatives such as "both . . . and," "no . . . but," "not only . . . but also," "not . . . but," "either . . . or," and similar constructs. Ensure that the structure following the second correlative conjunction mirrors the structure following the first one.

SAMPLE QUESTION: After he graduated from college, his parents gave him a new car, ten thousand dollars, and sent him on a trip around the world.
(a) After he graduated from college, his parents gave him a new car, ten thousand dollars, and sent him on a
(b) After he graduated from college, his parents gave him a new car, ten thousand dollars, and a
(c) After graduating from college, his parents gave him a new car, ten thousand dollars, and a
(d) After he had graduated from college, his parents gave him a new car, ten thousand dollars, and sent him on a
(e) After graduating from college, his parents gave him a new car, ten thousand dollars, and sent him on a

Correct answer is Option (b)
The problem in the original sentence is parallelism. The verb "gave" begins a series with nouns as objects ("car," "dollars"), but the third part of the series ("and sent him on") interrupts the series. Choices B and C correct this error by making "trip" a third object of "gave." Choice C cannot be right because it begins with a dangling participle; it appears that the parents are graduating from college. The correct answer is B.

Pronoun Agreement Errors

Pay attention to changes in pronoun subjects. If a sentence uses the pronoun "one," avoid using the pronoun "you" (referred to as parallel construction errors). Additionally, ensure that the pronoun agrees in number (singular or plural) with the noun it represents.

SAMPLE QUESTION: When one reaches the first plateau, it does not guarantee that you will complete the climb to the summit.
(a) When one reaches the first plateau, it
(b) Because one reaches the first plateau, it
(c) One's reaching the first plateau
(d) That you have reached the first plateau
(e) Reaching the first plateau

Correct answer is Option (e)
There is an inconsistency in the pronouns in this sentence. The part that cannot be changed uses "you," but the underlined section uses "one." A right answer will either use "you" or get rid of the pronoun altogether. Choices A, B, and C cannot be right, but D and E are both grammatically correct. In this case, E is preferable because it is more direct.

Verb Errors

There are many types of verb errors. Verb tense errors, verb sequence errors, change of voice errors, and subject-verb agreement errors are a few to watch for.
SAMPLE QUESTION: Four financial analysts prepare a summary of stock market activity each week, and it is broadcast by them on public radio.
(a) each week, and it is broadcast by them
(b) each week, and then it is broadcast
(c) each week and it is broadcast by them
(d) each week, and they broadcast it
(e) broadcasting each week

Correct answer is Option (d)
The first clause of the sentence uses a verb in the active voice ("prepare"), but the second clause uses a passive ("is broadcast"). Choice D uses active verbs in both parts of the sentence, while A, B, and C keep the passive. C is also a run-on sentence. E is briefer but it loses some of the meaning of the sentence. The correct answer is D.

Connective Errors

Read two-part sentences carefully to be sure that the one or two words that connect the two parts (words like "but" or "and") indicate the relationship of the parts clearly.
SAMPLE QUESTION: According to the critics, the MTV awards ceremony was tasteless, according to the audience, it was better than ever.
(a) was tasteless, according to
(b) was tasteless according to
(c) was tasteless, and according to
(d) was tasteless, but according to
(e) was tasteless but to

Correct Answer is Option (d)
There are two independent clauses here. They can be two separate sentences, or one sentence with either a semicolon or a conjunction and a comma. A and B leave the conjunction out, and E leaves out the comma. The punctuation is correct in C and D, but D is a better choice, since the two halves of the sentence contrast, and "but" denotes a contrary idea to follow. The correct answer is D.

Punctuation Errors

Carefully examine the punctuation. Prior to starting, familiarize yourself with the correct usage of the comma and semicolon.
SAMPLE QUESTION: Each year, about fifty thousand books are published in Great Britain, that is as many as in the four-times-larger United States.
(a) published in Great Britain, that is as many as in
(b) published in Great Britain; that is as many as in
(c) published in Great Britain; as many as in
(d) published in Great Britain; which is as many as in
(e) published in Great Britain as many as in

Correct Answer is Option (b)
The error in the original sentence is the comma splice — joining the two independent clauses (or complete sentences) with just a comma. Correct the error by using a period, a comma with a conjunction, or, as here, a semicolon. Though C and D use semicolons, they no longer have independent second clauses, while E, which has made the second clause dependent, omits the comma. The correct answer is B.

Idiom Errors

Sentences that involve choosing between an infinitive and a gerund are where idiom errors are most likely to occur. For example, "reluctant to speak" and "suspected of lying" are correct idiomatic expressions. In most cases, the questions testing idioms will revolve around selecting the appropriate preposition.

SAMPLE QUESTION: Exercising without proper warm-ups can be as harmful to the body as if you didn't exercise at all.
(a) as if you didn't exercise at all.
(b) as no exercise at all.
(c) than not exercising at all.
(d) than no exercise.
(e) as your not getting any exercise at all.

Correct Answer is Option (b)
The idiom to use with the construction "as-adjective-... " is "as-adjective-as." B is better than A because it is shorter and does not change from a third person to a second person subject ("exercising" to "you"). The correct answer is B.

Wordiness

Occasionally, when you have eliminated three incorrect choices, you may be left with two grammatically correct sentences. In such situations, examine both sentences for wordiness and opt for the one that is less verbose.
SAMPLE QUESTION: The Prado museum in Madrid has the largest collection of great Spanish paintings in the whole world.
(a) The Prado museum in Madrid has the largest collection of great Spanish paintings in the whole world.
(b) The Prado museum in Madrid has the world's largest collection of great Spanish paintings.
(c) It is the Prado museum in Madrid that has the largest collection of the world's great Spanish paintings.
(d) The greatest collection of Spanish paintings in the world is held by the Prado museum in Madrid.
(e) In Madrid, it is the Prado museum that holds the world's largest collection of great Spanish paintings.

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Although the original version is not ungrammatical, B is less wordy, replacing "in the whole world" with the more economical "the world's." C and E add the unnecessary "it is," while D uses the passive voice, always more wordy than the active. The correct answer is B.

Sentences with More than One Error

Numerous questions in this test section contain multiple errors. Typically, the answer choices follow a strategy where one option retains both errors, while two others correct only one of the two mistakes. Occasionally, a choice may introduce a new type of error. Ensure that the selected answer is grammatically correct, clear, and maintains a similar meaning to the original sentence.
SAMPLE QUESTION: The strike cannot be settled until the growers agree to improve health-care benefits and improving the workers' housing.
(a) and improving the workers' housing.
(b) and improving worker housing as well.
(c) and to improve the workers' housing.
(d) and the workers' housing.
(e) and also to the improvement of the housing of the workers.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
The phrases "to improve health-care benefits" and "improving the workers' housing" are repetitive and not parallel. Choice B is wordy and not parallel. Choice C corrects the parallelism error, but not the repetition. Choice E is wordy. Choice D is brief and grammatical. The correct answer is D.

Sentences with No Errors

If you carefully read the original sentence a few times and just can't spot an error, there might not be one. Don't be afraid to select no error (choice A), if the original seems correct.
SAMPLE QUESTION: When swimming for Northwestern, Debbie Holm set records that lasted for ten years.
(a) Debbie Holm set records that lasted for ten years.
(b) the records Debbie Holm set lasted ten years.
(c) ten-year records were set by Debbie Holm.
(d) the records of Debbie Holm lasted ten years.
(e) Debbie Holm's records lasted ten years.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The phrase that begins this sentence has an understood but unwritten subject — the person who was swimming at Northwestern. The phrase will dangle unless this subject follows the comma. Only A puts the understood subject immediately after this phrase. Choices B, C, D, and E all make it look as if the "records" were the swimmers. The correct answer is A.