SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Fragment and Sentence Combination Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We could swear Bessie the cow was always happy she always had a smile on her face whenever we saw her. No error
we saw
could swear
No error
on her face
happy she
happy she
The above sentence is a compound sentence, and therefore, there needs to be a semicolon between "happy" and "she" to properly denote the beginning of the second independent clause.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The scientists grappled with the theoretical physics problem all night they emerged exhausted from the lab in the morning without an answer. No error
from the lab
No error
without
grappled with
night they
night they
The above sentence is a compound sentence, and therefore we need to include a semicolon between "night" and "they" in order to properly separate the two independent clauses.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jessica threw the flying disc over to Daniel and he spun around in a big circle before throwing it back over Jessica's head. No error
Daniel and
over Jessica's head
No error
in a big circle
throwing
Daniel and
The above sentence is a compound sentence, and therefore needs a comma in between "Daniel" and "and" to properly separate the two independent clauses of the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After her brother ate her sandwich, Andrea was angry. And frustrated. No error
No error
After
angry. And
frustrated.
sandwich,
angry. And
"And frustrated" is a sentence fragment because it does not contain a subject. Since "and" is not being used as a coordinating conjunction in this instance no punctuation, not even a comma, is needed between "angry and frustrated."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although jaguars and leopards are similar in appearance, the jaguar is the larger animal and the leopard is the fastest. No error
Although
the larger
No error
the fastest
are similar
the fastest
When comparing only two things, in this case, the jaguar and the leopard, the suffix “-er” should be used instead of the suffix “-est.” The sentence should end “the faster,” not “the fastest.”
Example Question #4 : Identifying Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many of the students who dislike Ms. Simmons would likely learn a lot less if they were to have a more relaxed teacher. No error
who dislike
a more
No error
would
they were
No error
Every aspect of this sentence is grammatically correct and there is no error. "Who" is correctly used, rather than whom, in this instance; "would" is the correct verb in the correct case.
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
