Choosing the better sentence on standardized tests can be a challenging task if neither of the sentences has any grammatical or mechanical errors. Sometimes, there is a not-so-obvious problem with the sentence’s structure or effectiveness, making it tricky to choose the better sentence. You can recognize these obscure flaws when you are prepared and know what to look for. For example, writing that lacks clarity and precision tends to have missing subjects, weak passive verbs, improper diction, or wordiness. Inconsistency in a sentence can be detected if you are familiar with concepts such as parallelism, sequence of tenses, and noun-number agreement. There are also common sentence errors that involve inappropriate use of conventions and illogical comparisons or word order.

Time4Writing’s free writing resources cover how to choose a better sentence on a standardized test. The games, printables, and presentation supplement Time4Writing’s online courses. Designed to help students improve their writing skills, regardless of academic grade or proficiency level, Time4Writing’s 8-week courses provide more in-depth practice and one-on-one instruction by a certified teacher.

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