PSAT Writing : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #181 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
During the fireworks display, the colors that filled the sky like starbursts.
the colors, which filled the sky
the colors will fill the sky
the colors filling the sky
the colors that filled the sky
the colors filled the sky
the colors filled the sky
As it is written, the sentence is a fragment because of the word that. The sentence is therefore corrected by removing that.
Example Question #24 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
Going to college can lead to some fantastic careers, young adults who do not pursue additional education can find fulfilling and exciting jobs as well.
Since going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
If going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Although going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Unless going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Although going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
In its current state, this is a run-on sentence because it has two independent clauses that are not joined with a conjunction or semicolon. In this answer choice, the appropriate conjunction is added to the introductory clause, making the introductory clause dependent and the sentence grammatically correct.
Example Question #181 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
Mary Shelley, English novelist and author of Frankenstein, and who died from a brain tumor when she was 53 years old.
and who has died
died
and who died
she died
she has died
died
Only the verb in the past tense is necessary here. If “who” is used, the second part of the sentence becomes a relative clause modifying the subject, leaving us with a fragment—a subject, an appositive phrase, and a relative clause, but no predicate. The answers "and who died" and "and who has died" are both incorrect for the same reason; the answers "she died" and "she has died" introduce the pronoun "she," which is unnecessary (and grammatically incorrect) because the sentence already has a subject.
Example Question #32 : Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
Some politicians believe that the role of government should be limited; others claiming that a strong government can improve economic growth and fairness.
limited; others claim that
limited and others claiming that
limited; however, there are others who claim that
limited; others claiming that
limited, others with the claim that
limited; others claim that
The initial sentence contains a sentence fragment. The correct answer is the most concise and most complete.
Example Question #21 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Under the new terms of the treaty, reduce all stockpiles begins immediately.
all stockpiling reduction
reduced stockpiles
the reduction of all stockpiles
stockpiles reduced
reduce all stockpiles
the reduction of all stockpiles
The underlined phrase needs to be improved to make the second part of the sentence contain a complete sentence. As it is currently written, the sentence does not contain a subject. "The reduction of all stockpiles" is the only answer choice which makes the sentence complete by providing it with a subject. "All stockpiling reduction" may look like a tempting answer, but it does not convey the notion that the stockpiles are being reduced as well as does "the reduction of all stockpiles," since in "all stockpiling reduction," "stockpiling" is acting as a participle instead of as an object of a preposition.
Example Question #22 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Having command of detail, the novelist's excellent descriptions of characters.
The novelist's excellent descriptions of characters, having command of details.
Having command of details, the novelist describing characters excellently.
Having command of details is the novelist's excellent descriptions of characters.
The novelist's excellent depictions of characters demonstrate his command of detail.
Having command of details, the novelist's excellent descriptions of characters.
The novelist's excellent depictions of characters demonstrate his command of detail.
The chief issue with the sentence as it is written is the lack of any verb. "Having" is a gerund, a noun formed from a verb. The best way to correct the sentence, and give it the same meaning, is to essentially reverse the phrases and add a verb in the middle. "The novelist's excellent depictions of characters demonstrate he has a command of details." is the best answer choice.
Example Question #2032 : Act English
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The rains were so strong that layers of soil were washed away from fields but most of the buidings remained standing.
The rains were so strong that layers of soil were washed away from fields so most of the buidings remained standing.
The rains were so strong that layers of soil were washed away from fields; but most of the buidings remained standing.
The rains were so strong that layers of soil were washed away from fields, but most of the buidings remained standing.
The rains were so strong that layers of soil were washed away from fields but most of the buidings remained standing.
The rains were so strong that layers of soil were washed away from fields and most of the buidings remained standing.
The rains were so strong that layers of soil were washed away from fields, but most of the buidings remained standing.
The sentence is a compound sentence, meaning it is two complete thoughts joined together to show the relationship between them. Since the conjunction "but" is already connecting the two, inserting a comma before "but" is the only change that needs to be made to make the sentence grammatically correct.
Example Question #31 : Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
He ate an excessive amount of junk food as a child, explains the later health problems.
explain his later health problems.
explains later health problems.
which explains his later health problems.
explains the later health problems.
explaining the later health problems.
which explains his later health problems.
The underlined portion is a dependent clause, meaning it needs the rest of the sentence to complete it, but also gives meaning to the sentence. The construction of the phrase as written makes it unclear what the health problems are or how they are explained. "Which explains his later health problems," is the only choice that properly explains the sentence.
Example Question #2033 : Act English
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Publically, the school admitted no wrongdoing, secretly was investigating the accusations.
secretly investigate
but secretly, it was investigating
secretly, was investigating
secretly investigated
but investigate secretly
but secretly, it was investigating
The construction of the sentence means the second phrase, featuring the underlined portion, needs to draw a contrast with the opening clause. The correct answer must have a conjunction to separate the two parts, and still show the school's actions. Thus, "but secretly, it was investigating" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #141 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Although Vladimir Nabokov, who is best known for his novels, he also published numerous scientific articles about butterflies.
Nabokov wrote novels for which he is best known, he
Nabokov, who is best known for his novels, he
Nabokov, whose novels are best known, he
Nabokov’s novels are what is best known, he
Nabokov is best known for his novels, he
Nabokov is best known for his novels, he
The initial sentence contains an incomplete thought. The correct answer is by far the most direct, concise, and complete.
Certified Tutor
All PSAT Writing Resources
