Grammar Flashcards

Which revision best improves sentence conciseness? 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the game was cancelled.'

Answer: Because it was raining, the game was cancelled.

'Because it was raining' replaces the wordy 'due to the fact that it was raining' with a direct subordinate clause.

Which sentence correctly uses 'who' versus 'whom'?

Answer: Whom should I contact about the job?

'Whom' is correct as the object of 'contact'; you can substitute 'him' (object), confirming 'whom.'

Identify the sentence with an error in verb tense consistency.

Answer: He finished his homework and watches television.

'Finished' (past) and 'watches' (present) mix tenses illogically in the same time frame.

Which sentence correctly uses an em dash?

Answer: She brought everything — her books, pencils and notes — to the exam.

Em dashes on both sides correctly set off a parenthetical list within the sentence.

Which option correctly completes the sentence? 'The data _____ inconclusive, so further research is needed.'

Answer: is

In American English, 'data' is commonly treated as singular in formal writing, so 'is' is standard on the SAT.

Choose the sentence that avoids wordiness and redundancy.

Answer: The proposal was rejected because it lacked sufficient evidence.

Options A, B, and D contain redundancies ('returned back,' 'future prediction,' 'collaborated together'); option C is concise.

Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?

Answer: She recommended that he take the earlier flight.

After 'recommend,' the subjunctive requires the base form 'take,' not 'takes.'