PSAT Writing : Correcting Other Verb Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #141 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The old woman keeping mementos throughout her entire life.
The old woman kept
The old woman is keeping
The old woman keeping
The old woman keeps
The old woman keep
The old woman kept
The use of "keeping" as the only verb in the sentence is wrong, as "keeping" is a present participle, and a present participle always needs some form of the verb "to be" to precede it to create a verbal phrase. Additionally, the sentence needs to employ a past tense verb because its action takes place in the past. As such, the only answer choice that fulfills these requirements is "The old woman kept."
Example Question #242 : Verb Formation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The new CEO was astonishing at the state of the company's finances.
The new CEO was astonishing
The new CEO was astonished
The new CEO is astonishing
The new CEO astonishing
The new CEO were astonishing
The new CEO was astonished
The verbal phrase "was astonishing" is structured as though the CEO is astonishing the company's finances. The only answer choice that fixes this issue is "The new CEO was astonished."
Example Question #142 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The woman hoarding animals in unsafe conditions, which got her charged by the animal control services.
The woman hoarding animals in unsafe condition,
The woman hoarding animals in the unsafe conditions,
The woman was hoarding animals in unsafe conditions,
The woman hoarding animals in unsafe conditions,
The woman hoard animals in unsafe conditions,
The woman was hoarding animals in unsafe conditions,
The use of "hoarding" makes the sentence contain no actual verb, as the present participle "hoarding" needs to be preceded by some form of the verb "to be" to make a complete verb phrase. "The woman was hoarding animals in unsafe conditions," is the only answer choice that inserts the appropriate word.
Example Question #31 : Correcting Other Verb Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Many psychologists now argue that vacations being one of the best ways for people to reduce their stress.
are one of the best ways
being one the best ways
being one for the best ways
being one of the best way
being one of the best ways
are one of the best ways
The use of "being" makes the sentence actually not have a verb, as "being" is a gerund, or a verb form that is used as a noun. The sentence needs to be changed so that it contains a verb. The only answer choice that corrects the issue is "are one of the best ways."
Example Question #251 : Verb Formation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The young boy holding onto his teddy bear throughout the stressful trip.
The young boy holding to his teddy bear
The young boy holding on his teddy bear
The young boy holding onto his' teddy bear
The young boy holding onto his teddy bear
The young boy held onto his teddy bear
The young boy held onto his teddy bear
The use of the participle form "holding" makes the sentence actually have no practical verb, as a participle needs some form of the verb "to be" in order to function as the verb in the sentence. Either a version of "to be" needs to be put in the sentence, or "holding" should be changed to a proper verb form. "The young boy held onto his teddy bear" is the only answer choice that does either.
Example Question #252 : Verb Formation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The storm creating havoc from the moment it made landfall near the coastal resort.
The storm creating havoc from the moments it made landfall near the coastal resort.
The storm creating havoc from the moment it made landfall near the coastal resort.
The storm creating havoc at the moment it made landfall near the coastal resort.
The storm created havoc from the moment it made landfall near the coastal resort.
The storm creating havoc from the moment it made landfall near a coastal resort.
The storm created havoc from the moment it made landfall near the coastal resort.
The use of the participle "creating" in the sentence makes the sentence not have a verb, as a participle needs some form of the verb "to be" to create a full verb for a sentence. Either the verb needs to be changed or have a form of "to be" added in. The only answer choice that does either is "The storm created havoc from the moment it made landfall near the coastal resort."
Example Question #32 : Correcting Other Verb Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
It is widely believed that working for the government usually requires the employee willing to take a substantial pay cut.
usual requires the employee willing to take
usually requires the employee to be willing to take
usually requires the employee willing to take
usually required the employee willing to take
usually requires the employee willing taking
usually requires the employee to be willing to take
The sentence actually has no verb as written, as the word that is trying to function as a verb, "willing," is a participle that cannot stand alone as a verb. Instead, it needs a form of the verb "to be" attached to it to fully function as the verb in the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "usually requires the employee to be willing to take," as it is the only one that employs such a usage.
Example Question #871 : Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Their mother keeping her promises, and each child picked out a new toy.
Their mother kept her promises
Their mother keeping her promises
Their mother keeps her promises
Their mother in keeping her promises
Their mother keeping up her promises
Their mother kept her promises
The underlined portion of the sentence is one part of a compound sentence, and can therefore function as a complete sentence structurally. However, the participle "keeping" cannot stand alone as a verb, and the proper verb needs to match the past tense "picked" in the second clause of the sentence. "Their mother kept her promises" is the only answer choice that features the correct verb form.
Example Question #872 : Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Working out of a former garage, the business growing rapidly into a multinational corporation.
that business growing rapidly
the business growing rapidly
the business grew rapidly
the business growing more rapidly
the business growing rapid
the business grew rapidly
The use of the participle "growing" makes the sentence actually not have a verb, as a participle needs some form of the verb "to be" to make a complete verbal phrase. "Growing" needs to be changed to a verb that can work on its own as the main verb of the sentence. The only answer choice to do so is "the business grew rapidly."
Example Question #873 : Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The team working toward a common goal.
The team working toward a common goal.
The team working toward a commoner goal.
The team working toward the common goal.
The team worked toward a common goal.
The team's working toward a common goal.
The team worked toward a common goal.
The use of the participle "working" as the verb in the sentence is incorrect, as a participle needs some form of the verb "to be" with it to complete a full verbal phrase. The verb "working" needs to be changed to a proper verb form. The only answer choice that uses a correct verb form is "The team worked toward a common goal."
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