8.2 Sentence Correction
Key Takeaways
- Most PAF sentence-correction items test one error at a time; scan for the single most common error type before re-reading for nuance.
- Subject-verb agreement is the highest-frequency error: check number, intervening phrases, and compound subjects joined by and/or/nor.
- Misplaced modifiers attach to the wrong noun; place a modifier next to the word it describes.
- Parallelism requires the same grammatical form across items in a list or comparison; mixing a gerund with an infinitive breaks it.
- Redundancy and double negatives add words that cancel or repeat meaning; both are always wrong on the exam.
8.2 Sentence Correction
Quick Answer: Read once for the single most common error — usually subject-verb agreement, a misplaced modifier, broken parallelism, wrong pronoun case, redundancy, or a double negative. Identify the error type, then pick the option that fixes exactly that error without introducing a new one.
PAF sentence-correction questions present one sentence with one underlined error (or four rewritten versions) and ask you to choose the correct fix. The trick is pattern recognition: once you name the error type, the right answer is usually obvious.
The Six High-Yield Error Types
- Subject-verb agreement — the verb must match the subject in number and person.
- Misplaced or dangling modifier — a describing phrase must sit next to the word it modifies.
- Faulty parallelism — items in a list, comparison, or correlative pair must share the same grammatical form.
- Pronoun case — use I/he/she/we/they for subjects, me/him/her/us/them for objects; who for subjects, whom for objects.
- Redundancy — two words that repeat the same idea (absolutely essential, free gift, past history).
- Double negative — two negatives cancel meaning (I don't know nothing means I know something).
Error Signature Table
| Error Type | Signature to Spot | Fix Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject-verb agreement | Plural subject with singular verb (or vice versa); long phrase between subject and verb | Match verb to the real subject, ignoring intervening nouns | The list of candidates (was/were) long -> was |
| Misplaced modifier | Descriptive phrase placed far from the word it modifies | Move the modifier next to the word it describes | Walking to the hangar, the jet gleamed -> Walking to the hangar, the cadet saw the jet gleam |
| Dangling modifier | Modifier with no logical subject to attach to | Add or name the doer | Having finished the briefing, the simulator was started -> Having finished the briefing, the instructor started the simulator |
| Faulty parallelism | Mixed forms in a list (gerund + infinitive; noun + verb) | Convert all items to the same form | The role requires flying, navigating, and to communicate -> flying, navigating, and communicating |
| Pronoun case | Subject form used as object, or who used for object | Switch to the correct case | The report was given to the commander and I -> the commander and me |
| Redundancy | Two words with overlapping meaning | Delete one | The briefing was absolutely essential -> essential |
| Double negative | Two negatives in one clause | Remove one negative | He does not have no records -> He does not have any records |
Method: Read for the Single Most Common Error First
- Skim the sentence once. Ask: Does the verb agree with the subject? Check any long phrase between subject and verb — the test writers hide the real subject there.
- Check modifiers. Any descriptive phrase at the start? It must describe the noun right after the comma.
- Check lists and comparisons. Are the items in the same form? Either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also demand parallel structure on both sides.
- Check pronouns. Are they the right case and number? Does each pronoun have one clear antecedent?
- Check for wordiness. Redundant pairs and double negatives are quick wins.
Worked Examples
Example 1 (agreement): The number of recruits who has passed the medical is surprising. The real subject is number (singular); of recruits who have passed is a modifier. Correct: The number of recruits who have passed the medical is surprising. Note: number of takes a singular verb; a number of takes plural.
Example 2 (misplaced modifier): Flying at 30,000 feet, the mountains looked tiny. The mountains were not flying. Correct: Flying at 30,000 feet, the pilot saw that the mountains looked tiny.
Example 3 (parallelism): The cadet's duties include maintaining logs, inspecting gear, and to report faults. The third item breaks the gerund pattern. Correct: maintaining logs, inspecting gear, and reporting faults.
Example 4 (pronoun case): Between you and I, the briefing ran long. After the preposition between, both pronouns must be objects. Correct: Between you and me, the briefing ran long.
Example 5 (redundancy): The instructor gave a free gift to each cadet. A gift is by definition free. Correct: The instructor gave a gift to each cadet.
Example 6 (double negative): The trainee cannot hardly read the instruments. Cannot and hardly are both negatives. Correct: The trainee can hardly read the instruments.
Trap: Intervening Phrases
Words that come between the subject and the verb are designed to distract you. Cross them out mentally before checking agreement: The set of instructions (that were provided to each recruit) is on the desk. The subject is set (singular), so the verb is is, even though instructions sits right next to the verb.
Trap: Correlative Conjunctions
Either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also require parallel structure on both sides AND the verb agrees with the nearer subject: Neither the commander nor the cadets were late (cadets is nearer, so plural verb).
Identify the error: 'The list of candidates who have applied were posted on the notice board.'
Choose the corrected version: 'Walking to the hangar, the jet gleamed in the morning sun.'
Which sentence has correct parallelism?
Fix the pronoun error: 'The medal was awarded to the cadet and I for outstanding performance.'