Improving Sentences

Another type of questions in the SAT writing section is Improving Sentences. There are a total of 25 multiple choice questions in the SAT Writing Section that are of type Improving Sentences. Each of these questions has a sentence that has some word, words or the whole sentence underlined. Your task is to check if the sentence is OK the way it is or the underlined words can be changed to make the sentence clear and correct. There will be times when there will not be an error at all.

SAT follows the same principles of English in the entire writing section. Make an answer choice that follows the requirements and conventions of standard writing in English. Above all, these types of questions focus on the completeness and clarity of the idea being presented in the sentence.

Tips and Tricks for Improving Sentences:

1. Similar to Identifying Sentence Errors questions look out for grammatical mistakes. With practice you can look for patterns and frequently tested common grammatical errors. But remember this section does not focus so much on the grammar but the sentence as a whole.
2. Look for the option that makes the original better. SAT 'better' means a sentence revised in such a manner that it conveys the meaning clearly and precisely. The revision should not change the meaning of the sentence though.
3. As you read the sentence, make a quick mental note of what needs a change. Look for what reads funny, complicated, long or awkward. Reconstruct the sentence in your mind as best as you can before you move on to the answer choices.
4. Do not feel obligated to make a revision. Sometimes the original may be the best of all the options. The choice A is always the original underlined words. You would mark this as the answer if you think the original itself is clear and precise and requires no revision.
5. Remember SAT is testing your ability to improve sentences that follow the rules of English language. Do not fall in the trap of selecting the answer that 'sounds' better. You are not being tested for commonly spoken English but rather written English.