Idioms

Writing: Identifying Sentence Errors

The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E. 

Read the entire sentence to yourself, listening for errors.  Then quickly check each underlined portion against the Big 8 Grammar Rules.

The jury Aawarded first prize in the architectural competition to a firm Bknown not only for Citsinnovative design Dand also for its environmentally friendly building practices. ENo error.

(A) When a verb is underlined, check to make sure that it matches the subject of the sentence.   The phrase “jury awarded” has no error.

(B) Someone or something can be “known for” a specific trait or traits.  A “for” follows the underlined “known,” so there is no error here.

(C) Check any pronoun to make sure that it matches its antecedent.  “It” refers to the “firm” stated in the sentence.  Now check to make sure that you need “its” rather than “it’s.”  “It’s” means “it is,” which does not make sense in context.  The possessive “its” is needed here, so there is no error.

(D) The “and” links two things, but it does not express the full meaning that is necessary for this sentence.  Anytime you have the phrase “not only” it must be followed by the word “but.”  This fact is listed on your Knowsys Frequently-Tested Idioms chart.  For example, I will order not only this but also that.  Mark this error.

(E) This answer choice cannot be correct because you already marked an error.

The correct answer is (D).

On sat.collegeboard.org, 75% of the responses were correct.

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