Identifying Sentence Errors

In the early twentieth century, new thinking (A)about(A) symbolism and the unconscious (B)were(B) greatly inspired (C)by(C) the (D)writings of(D) Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. (E)No error.(E)

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The error in this sentence is (B): the verb "were" (which is plural) does not agree in number with the noun "thinking" (which is singular). The correct sentence reads: In the early twentieth century, new thinking about symbolism and the unconscious was greatly inspired by the writings of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.

(from the October 20, 1998 test)

CollegeBoard

Identifying Sentence Errors