SAT Writing Section:
GRAMMAR & IDENTIFYING
SENTENCE ERRORS
Writing Section: MC
 Multiple Choice question types
1. Identifying Sentence Errors
2. Improving Sentences
3. Improving Paragraphs
Identifying Sentence Errors
 Covers 4 main areas of written English
1.
2.
3.
4.
Basic Grammar
Sentence Structure
Idiomatic Expressions
Choice of words (diction)
Strategies for Identifying
Sentence Errors
 Examine the underlined choices A to D
• Consider which kind of correction may be
needed for each one
 If you can’t identify the error, eliminate
the choices that don’t contain errors.
• Choose from the remaining answer
choices
Sentence Error Grammar Tips
 Identify the subject and action in the
sentence (sometimes they are separated)
• Match underlined verbs with their subject
• Draw parenthesis around prepositional
phrases & modifiers b/w subj. & verb
 Only the conjunction “and” can
form a plural verb
Sentence Error Grammar Tips
 Prepositions usually tell “where”
• Above, over, under, in, at, on, of, to
 Word pairs neither…nor and
either…or take singular verbs, if
each side of the pair is singular
• If one noun is plural & the other singular,
the verb should agree with the closest
noun
Sentence Error Grammar Tips
 Find the antecedent of each pronoun
• Antecedent: the noun that the pronoun replaced
• There is an error if there is no antecedent or if it
could refer to more than one thing or person
• Be wary of vague subject references (its, their, they,
and those). Something’s missing if you can’t tell
what the pronoun refers to
 To check the tense of a sentence, look
for context clues (dates, times) or
verbs that aren’t underlined
Example of Error ID
 In 1965, Betty Friedan's publication of The Feminine
A
Mystique has marked a turning point that resulted in
B
C
improved labor rights and working conditions for
D
women. No error
E
 A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Sentence Error Grammar Tips
 Who and Whom
• Who: the subject of the pronoun
• Whom: the object of the pronoun
 Be cautious when you see “they”
underlined
 Read aloud to find idiomatic errors
• Idiom: a wide range of commonly
accepted combinations of words
Question Of the Day
 I agree thatA a knowledge of Latin is helpful
to buildB a good English vocabulary, butC I
do not think I have the capacity toD study the
subject at the moment. No errorE.
 A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Sentence Error Grammar Tips
 “I” verbs vs. “No I” verbs
•
•
•
•
•
“I” verbs have no object
No “I” verbs are action verbs with objects
Sit vs. set
Lie vs. lay
Rise vs. raise
Sentence Error Grammar Tips
 Comparatives vs. Superlatives
• -er compares 2 things and has 2
letters
• -est compares 3 or more things and
has 3 letters
• Identify what’s being compared by
underlining
Sentence Error Grammar Tips
 Pay attention to the nouns in each
sentence to help with number
agreement
• Underline, circle, star your nouns
Common Errors
1. When the subject follows the verb
Example:
Every night talks Anna on the phone.
Common Errors
2. When the subject and verb are
separated
Example
A speaker from Family Services are giving a
presentation next week.
Common Errors
3. When the subject seems plural but
isn’t
Example
Each of the girls sing well.
http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/subjectVerbAgree.asp
Common Errors
4. Wrong tenses
Example
If I have known the truth I wouldn’t be in this
situation.
Common Errors
5. Incorrect use of past participles
Example
My friends had spoke with me about the
subject.
Common Errors
6. Pronoun in the Wrong number
Example
The student forgot that they had a test.
Common Errors
7. Wrong Pronoun Case (subject vs.
object)
Example
Mary gave the flowers to Kelly and I.
Common Errors
8. Pronoun Shift
Example
One must put forth effort if you want to get a good
grade.
If you eat sensibly and watch your caloric intake, most
people should be able to maintain their desired weight.
Common Errors
9. Pronoun with Ambiguous Reference
Example
Ethel told Lucy that her pie was wonderful.
(Whose pie? Ethel’s or Lucy’s)
Common Errors
10.Confusion of Infinitive and Gerund
Example
Mary keeps to talk about her problems.
Mary needs talking about her problems
Infinitives vs. Gerunds
 List of verbs which are followed by a Gerund
 http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_list.htm
 List of verbs which are followed by an Infinitive
 http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/infinitive_list.htm
Quirk Of the Day
Common Errors
11.Wrong preposition after verb







agree on
No one could agree on anything.
explain... to
It is difficult to explain a problem to people who don’t care.
decide between
I cannot decide between the two.
plan on
Why don’t you plan on staying at our place?
refer to
If you are referring to me, you should say so.
remind . . . of
You remind me of a bear.
worry about
Mothers always worry about their children, and so do fathers.
Common Errors
11.Wrong preposition after verb
Comprehensive list found on this link
http://www.myenglishgrammar.com/list-18-prepositions/3-prepositionsafter-verbs.html
Common Errors
12.Wrong word in context
 ACCEPT = aceptar EXCEPT = excepto
 AFFECT = afectar EFFECT= efecto

CAN = to be able MAY = to be permitted/allowed or possiblity
 CHOSE = past tense CHOOSE = present tense
 CLOTHS = telas, trapos CLOTHES = ropas
 COMPLEMENT = complementar, complemento
 COMPLIMENT = cumplido, felicitar
 CURRENTLY = right now PRESENTLY = immediate future/soon
 FEWER = mass nouns LESS = count nouns
Common Errors
12.Wrong word in context
 ITS = belonging to it IT'S = contraction of it + is
 MUCH= mass nouns MANY= count nouns
 THAN = conjunction for comparisons THEN = time (adj or adv)
 THEIR = possessive
THERE = location
THEY'RE= contraction they + are
 FARTHER = physical distance
FURTHER = metaphorical/figurative distance
 GOOD = adjective
WELL = adverb
Common Errors
13.Faulty comparison
A faulty comparison is one that is not logical. Items that
are compared must in fact be similar.
INCORRECT: I like Bruce Springsteen's songs more than Madonna.
CORRECT: I like Bruce Springsteen's songs more than Madonna's songs.
INCORRECT : The weather in Canada is colder than Mexico.
CORRECT : The weather in Canada is colder than the weather in Mexico.
Common Errors
14.Misuse of adjective or adverb
Adjectives only modify nouns and pronouns.
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
Never use a double superlative (-est) or comparative (-er).
Example:
That was the most stupidest book that I've ever read.
My glass was more fuller than his.
Common Errors
14.Misuse of adjective or adverb
Adjectives usually come before the nouns and pronouns that they modify,
but they may also follow them, and they answer many questions:
What kind? Which one? How many? What color? What size?
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They also answer
many questions:
When? Where? How? How often? How much? To what
degree? Why?
Good is an adjective. It is never an adverb. One cannot play good.
Well is an adverb. It is never an adjective. One does play well.
Common Errors
15.Double negative
In formal written English, you should never use two negative expressions
to express a single negation. To correct a double negative, simply delete
one of the negatives and add any other necessary words.
Examples:
Jeff did not do no lab report.
Jeff thought the instructor would not say nothing to him about it.
scarcely, hardly, and barely are negatives, do not combine them with NO
or NOT
1. When the subject follows the verb
2. When the subject and verb are
separated
3. When the subject seems plural but
isn’t
4. Wrong tenses
5. Incorrect use of past participles
6. Pronoun in the Wrong number
7. Wrong Pronoun Case (subject vs.
object)
8. Pronoun Shift
9. Pronoun with Ambiguous
Reference
10.Confusion of Infinitive and Gerund
11.Wrong preposition after verb
12.Wrong word in context
13.Faulty comparison
14.Misuse of adjective or adverb
15.Double negative
Practice Time
1. Determination ofA the long-term
effects ofB aerosols on the upper
atmosphere isC currently one of the more
challengingD problems in climate
research. No errorE.
Practice Time
2. The mostA important skill I had
learnedB in my two years ofC senior high
school was toD direct the course of my
own studies. No errorE.
Practice Time
3. I have nearA written all the new
tests forB inclusion in the revised edition
of my book, and hope to finishC the
work withinD a week. No errorE.
Practice Time
4. Neither of the answers provided in
the memorandumA addressB my
concerns aboutCthe validity ofD the
procedure. No errorE.
Practice Time
5. Katz claimed that reading classic
novels isA more illuminatingB than to
readC autobiographies written byD their
authors. No errorE.
Practice Time
6. Suzanne recountedA her improbableB tale
withC enthusiasm and in a convincing
mannerD. No errorE.
Practice Time
7. The students have beenA practicing for
the concert sinceB three weeks, andC in
that time haveD improved
considerably. No errorE.
Practice Time
8. If you were willingA to ask for
directions, instead of doggedlyB driving
on, we might get
to ourC destination soonerD. No errorE.
Practice Time
9. Critics acclaim thatA the soundtrack of
Hugo is much more B memorable thanC
the movie DjangoD. No ErrorE
Practice Time
10. No president neverA gives a speech
toB the general public without the consentC
of congress orD the senate. No errorE.
Practice Time
11. If Sharon had spokeA with herB sister
before the election there wouldC have been
noD problem. No errorE.
Practice Time
12. If you wereA to study the anatomy of
the body oneB would find that thereC are
manyD organs. No errorE.
Practice Time
13. The professor becameA exasperated
when he hadB to explain forC the students
the theory ofD relativity. No errorE.
Practice Time
14. Congress, afterA prolonged deliberation,
haveB decided notC to engage in furtherD
debate over healthcare. No errorE.
Practice Time
15. It would have beenA better if herB and I
kept talkingC to the teacher because of
ourD knowledge of the material. No errorE.
ANSWERS!
Practice Time
1. Determination ofA the long-term
effects ofB aerosols on the upper
atmosphere isC currently one of the more
challengingD problems in climate
research. No errorE.
D – More implies there are only two problems,
in which case the “one” would be unnecessary
Comparatives vs. superlatives
Practice Time
2. The mostA important skill I had
learnedB in my two years ofC senior high
school was toD direct the course of my
own studies. No errorE.
B – past perfect needs changes to past
Wrong tenses
Practice Time
3. I have nearA written all the new
tests forB inclusion in the revised edition
of my book, and hope to finishC the
work withinD a week. No errorE.
A – Nearly, adverb that modifies written.
Adverb
Misuse of adjective or adverb
Shine
 My favorite color is purple.
 Also, I like unicorns!
 Shine bright like a Diamond!
 -Ms. Amanda
Practice Time
4. Neither of the answers provided in
the memorandumA addressB my
concerns aboutCthe validity ofD the
procedure. No errorE.
B – Neither is singular and requires a singular
verb, so use addresses.
When the subject seems plural but isn’t
Practice Time
5. Katz claimed that reading classic
novels isA more illuminatingB than to
readC autobiographies written byD their
authors. No errorE.
C – To make the sentence construction
parallel, change to read to reading.
List Parallelism
Practice Time
6. Suzanne recountedA her improbableB tale
withC enthusiasm and in a convincing
mannerD. No errorE.
D – Two items linked by and need to be parallel.
Change “in a convincing manner” to “conviction”.
List Parallelism
Practice Time
7. The students have beenA practicing for
the concert sinceB three weeks, andC in
that time haveD improved
considerably. No errorE.
B – “Since” is used to refer to a definite point
in time, not a duration. Change since to for.
Wrong word in context
Practice Time
8. If you were willingA to ask for
directions, instead of doggedlyB driving
on, we might get
to ourC destination soonerD. No errorE.
E – no error
Practice Time
9. Critics acclaim thatA the soundtrack of
Hugo is much more B memorable thanC
the movie DjangoD. No ErrorE
D – Compare like items, soundtrack to a
soundtrack, not to a movie
Faulty comparison
Practice Time
10. No president neverA gives a speech
toB the general public without the consentC
of congress orD the senate. No errorE.
A – should be ever
Double negative
Practice Time
11. If Sharon had spokeA with herB sister
before the election there wouldC have been
noD problem. No errorE.
A – should be “spoken”
Incorrect use of past participles
Practice Time
12. If you wereA to study the anatomy of
the body oneB would find that thereC are
manyD organs. No errorE.
B – one should be “you”
Pronoun Shift
Practice Time
13. The professor becameA exasperated
when he hadB to explain forC the students
the theory ofD relativity. No errorE.
C – for should be “to”
Wrong preposition after verb
Practice Time
14. Congress, afterA prolonged deliberation,
haveB decided notC to engage in furtherD
debate over healthcare. No errorE.
B – have should be “has”
When the subject and verb are separated
Practice Time
15. It would have beenA better if herB and I
kept talkingC to the teacher because of
ourD knowledge of the material. No errorE.
B – her should be “she” because they are the
subject
Wrong Pronoun Case (subject vs. object)
Done!!!!
For now.
SAT Writing Section:
IMPROVING SENTENCES
Improving Sentences
 Tests your ability to recognize and
write clear, effective and accurate
sentences
 Errors generally involve the structure of
the whole sentence
Improving Sentences
Improving Sentences
Improving Sentences
 Strategies
1. Read the sentence carefully, and listen
for an error
2. Identify the error or errors
3. Eliminate the choices that don’t address
the error, and choose the most correct,
concise, and relevant answer

When choosing b/w 2 choices, look at the
shortest answer choice 1st (short is usually
better)
4. Read the revised sentence
Improving Sentences
Grammar Tips
 An independent clause has a subject and a
complete verb and can stand alone
 A dependent (subordinate) clause has a
subject and a complete verb but needs an
independent clause to become a sentence
 To combine 2 independent clauses
1. Insert a semicolon
2. Make one clause dependent
3. Use a (FANBOYS) conjunction: For,
And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
Improving Sentences
Grammar Tips
 When you see a long sentence with just a
comma in the middle, suspect a run-on
sentence
• Look at the answer choices to see the chosen
fixes
 Sentences with 2+ similar elements must be
worded similarly
• Lists, series, comparisons, connective pairs
• Take the 1st item in a list & compare it to the
others
Improving Sentences
Grammar Tips
 Match the modifier with the noun they
modify
• Modifier must be positioned so it is clear
which word is being modified
• If the sentence starts with a gerund (-ing
verb), you could have a misplaced
modifier
 Use parallel structure with connective
phrases such as neither…nor
Improving Sentences
Grammar Tips
 Determine the relationship b/w the 2
sentence’s clauses
• Conjunctions connect 2 independent
clauses (FANBOYS)
 There must be a logical relation b/w the
clauses to use conjunctions
 Take out the conjunction to see what the
relationship is b/w the clauses
Improving Sentences
Grammar Tips
 2+ dependent (subordinate) clauses
• Connective words that indicate a
dependent clause
 Since, because, so that, if
• If a dependent clause begins a sentence,
an independent clause must follow
somewhere in the sentence
 A sentence that uses more words than
necessary doesn’t have any
grammatical errors but a style error:
wordiness
Improving Sentences
Common Errors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Run-On Sentences
Sentence Fragments
Misplaced Modifiers
Faulty Parallelism
Faulty Transitions in Clauses and
Phrases
6. Wordiness
Practice
 Let’s take a look at the Improving
Sentences Guide & Practice
 Review the errors
 Practice
Weekly Vocabulary Quiz
 Take Week 3 Vocabulary Quiz by
going to the web20.org website
This Week’s Assignments
1. Download and print “8 Week SAT Prep
Plan”
•
Complete the 4th Week’s assignments by next
session
2. Download and print “SAT Word List 4”
3. Study for vocabulary quiz