Answer choices with the verb “being” appear frequently in sentence improvement questions. The use of the word “being” makes a sentence longer without adding any meaning.

For example, “Students say that the class is boring in its presentation, even while being original enough to intrigue them” (18 words). However, the meaning of this sentence can be conveyed much more concisely: “Students say that the class is boring in its presentation but intriguing in its originality” (15 words).

Since conciseness is one criterion for the best sentence, answer choices with “being” in the sentence improvement section are incorrect more than 99% of the time on REAL SAT tests. (Don't be fooled by poor questions in prep books from Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc.).

TIP FOR ANSWER CHOICES WITH "BEING"

When you see the word “being” in an answer choice, immediately eliminate it. Don’t waste any time by continuing to read the choice.

The only possible, and highly unlikely, exception to this rule may be if all five answer choices contain the word “being”. If this situation occurs, then reassess the answer choices for grammatical correctness and conciseness.

SAMPLE PRACTICE QUESTION FOR ANSWER CHOICES WITH "BEING"

        Shoshanna traveled to New York City because of its being her most favorite city.

        (A) because of its being her most favorite city
        (B) as a result of its being her favorite city
        (C) because it is her favorite city
        (D) the result of it’s being her favorite city
        (E) since it is being her favorite city

Regardless of any other errors that the answer choices contain, the presence of “being” allows you to immediately eliminate choices. Here, this fact eliminates choices (A), (B), (D), and (E). Only choice (C) remains and is the correct answer.

SAT Writing: Answer Choices with "Being"

Lesson Includes:

—Explanation of Answer Choices

—Tips for Answer Choices with "Being"

—Sample Practice Questions

—Practice Questions

SAT Math

SAT Reading

SAT Writing

SAT Vocabulary

ANSWER CHOICES WITH "BEING" REVIEW QUIZ

 

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