SAT Writing : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Vincent van Gogh sold only a few paintings during his lifetime, but yet he is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. No error
No error
sold
of all time
greatest
but yet
but yet
This sentence contains a redundancy error. The conjunctions "but" and "yet" are synonyms; they mean the same thing, so only one or the other is necessary to convey the intended meaning of the sentence.
The answer choice "sold" is correct because it contains the simple past tense, which is correct for events that happened in the past and don't continue into the present.
The answer choice "greatest" is correct because it uses the superlative form (the "-est" form) of the adjective great, which is appropriate for comparisons involving more than two items.
The answer choice "of all time" is a perfectly correct use of an idiomatic expression.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Once I learned how to swim, I would never go in the water for fear of drowning. No error
No error
swim,
Once
for fear of
I would never
Once
“Once” is the incorrect subordinate conjunction; it should be replaced by “until,” which is the only logical conjunction for the sentence.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Whether or nor they were in love, John decided he needed to break up with his long-distance girlfriend; the time apart was just too difficult. No error
girlfriend;
Whether or nor
love,
No error
break up
Whether or nor
The proper form of the subordinating conjunction is “whether or not,” not “whether or nor.”
Example Question #44 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed in order to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Anna is an amazing lawyer, but however she has many personal issues that often get in the way of her professional work. No error.
No error
often get
of her
has many
but however
but however
The sentence features a redundancy error—since "but" comes first in the sentence, there is no need to include the synonym "however."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Until my friends went ice skating, I would always stay at home for fear of falling down on the ice. No error
No error
for fear of
Until
on the ice
would always
Until
The sentences uses the incorrect subordinate conjunction "Until"—"When" or "Whenever" would be better choices for the correct subordinate conjunction.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Whether and not the citizens agreed with the final decisions, the politicians felt that it was their responsibility to set laws that were fair for everyone. No error
for everyone
the final decisions
No error
it
Whether and not
Whether and not
The form of the subordinating conjunction used here is incorrect—it should be "Whether or not" instead of "Whether and not."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bob, an insurance agent, wishes he had the kind of job that allowed him to travel, whenever he wanted. No error
No error
kind of
wanted.
travel,
an insurance agent,
travel,
Since “whenever” is a subordinating conjunction linking a dependent and independent clause, no comma is needed before it. Commas are required before coordinating conjunctions, but not subordinating conjunctions.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Provided by she was paid overtime, Kara agreed to clean the golf course before she left for the day. No error
overtime
to clean
No error
before
Provided by
Provided by
This question is checking for understanding of the subordinate conjunction "provided that." If it helps, "provided that" can be thought of as equivalent to "on the condition that." The only error in the sentence is that "provided by" is used instead of "provided that." "Provided by" has a different use (as a regular verb) and is not a subordinate conjunction.
An example of "provided by" used correctly: "Her cell phone service was provided by her local cell phone company."
An example of "provided that" used correctly: "Provided that she was paid overtime, Kara agreed to clean the golf course before she left for the day."
Example Question #44 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When whenever we had enough to eat when I was younger, my whole family was completely overjoyed. No error
completely overjoyed
When whenever
I was younger,
whole family
No error
When whenever
In the sentence above, the words "when" and "whenever" are being used to cause the second portion of the sentence to be a subordinate clause: they are subordinate conjunctions. They also mean roughly the same thing, so using both is redundant. One of the conjunctions should remain in the sentence, and the other should be deleted. The best way to correct the sentence above is:
"When we had enough to eat when I was younger, my whole family was completely overjoyed."
OR
"Whenever we had enough to eat when I was younger, my whole family was completely overjoyed."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
There's an old saying, "great men are rarely good men," but yet many of my favorite heroes from history were exceedingly kind. No error
but yet
"great men are rarely good men,"
were exceedingly kind.
No error
of my
but yet
In the sentence above, the words "but" and "yet" are being as subordinate conjunctions. They also mean roughly the same thing. Only one of them is necessary, and the other should be deleted. The best way to correct the sentence above is:
There's an old saying, "great men are rarely good men," yet many of my favorite heroes from history were exceedingly kind.
OR
There's an old saying, "great men are rarely good men," but many of my favorite heroes from history were exceedingly kind.
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