PSAT Writing : Correcting Sentence Fragment and Sentence Combination Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : 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.

In every part of the world, troubling developments in politics.

Possible Answers:

In every part of the world trouble developments in politics.

In every part of the world, the troubling developments in politics.

In every part of the world there are troubling developments in politics.

In every part of the world, troubling developments in politics.

In every part of the world, and troubling developments in politics.

Correct answer:

In every part of the world there are troubling developments in politics.

Explanation:

The error in the sentence as it is written is that there it doesn't contain a verb. "Troubling" is actually a participle, a verbal that acts like an adjective; in the sentence given, it is describing "developments." To make a participle into a verb, one needs to introduce a form of the verb "to be" immediately before it; therefore, "In every part of the world there are troubling developments in politics" is the correct answer choice, as it is the only one that correctly inserts a verb.

The answer choice that changes "troubling" to "trouble" may look like a potentially correct answer, since "trouble" can function as a verb (as in "The questions he cannot answer trouble him"), but in this case, the verb "trouble" doesn't have a plural noun to refer to; it is followed by "developments," but "trouble" is a transitive verb—you don't just "trouble," you "trouble" something, so even if it were intended to refer to "developments," it would still be grammatically incorrect from having nothing to refer to.

Example Question #11 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors

The defeated army was allowed to go home, and able to take the rations necessary to let them survive the trip.

Possible Answers:

and able to taking

and able taking

and they were able to take

and they able to take

able taking

Correct answer:

and they were able to take

Explanation:

The sentence is a compound one, featuring two distinct sentences, joined by a conjunction. As such, the second phrase, beginning with the underlined portion, needs to have a subject and a verb as with any sentence; therefore, "and they were able to take" is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1 : 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.

The detective was an expert in these kinds of cases, always called on when the force needed expert advice.

Possible Answers:

always call on when the force needed expert advice.

always calling on when the force needed expert advice.

and was called on when the force needed expert advice.

always called on when the force needed expert advice.

always called on when the force needs expert advice.

Correct answer:

and was called on when the force needed expert advice.

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the phrase is a dependent clause that is confusing because of the way it is worded. The phrase needs to be better linked to the main portion of the sentence. The answer choice which best does this is "and was called on when the force needed expert advice."

Example Question #101 : Correcting Other 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.

When Thomas, who used to be the town bully, finally learned his lesson. He started being extra nice to everyone.

Possible Answers:

When Thomas, who used to be the town bully and finally learned his lesson, he then started being extra nice to everyone.

When Thomas, who used to be the town bully, finally learned his lesson, he started being extra nice to everyone.

When Thomas, who used to be the town bully, finally learned his lesson, and then he started being extra nice to everyone.

He then started being extra nice to everyone; when Thomas finally learned his lesson, who used to be the town bully.

Correct answer:

When Thomas, who used to be the town bully, finally learned his lesson, he started being extra nice to everyone.

Explanation:

The fragment and the sentence can be joined together with a simple comma to make one complete sentence.

Example Question #11 : 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.

First I had a cough. And then I had a sore throat. Now I have a fever.

Possible Answers:

First I had a cough, and then I had a sore throat; now I have a fever.

First I had a cough, then I had a sore throat, now I have a fever.

First I had a cough and then I had a sore throat and now I have a fever.

First I had: a cough, and then I had a sore throat, now I have a fever.

Correct answer:

First I had a cough, and then I had a sore throat; now I have a fever.

Explanation:

Because all three of these sentences can stand independently by themselves, separating the third with a semicolon keeps the new sentence from being a run-on.

Example Question #171 : 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.

The principal had warned the two boys to stay away from each other. And the two boys got into a fight again.

Possible Answers:

Even though the principal had warned them to stay away from each other, the two boys got into a fight again.

The principal had warned the two boys to to stay away from each other and the two boys, got into a fight again.

The two boys got into a fight again: and the principal had warned them to stay away from each other.

The principal had warned the two boys to stay away from each other. And the two boys got into a fight again.

Correct answer:

Even though the principal had warned them to stay away from each other, the two boys got into a fight again.

Explanation:

Introducing the sentence with "even though" helps indicate that there is some contradiction between the two sentences.

Example Question #14 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors

Choose the best way to combine the two sentences.

Maria was excited to move into her college dorm. The dorm building was conveniently located near her favorite campus quad.

Possible Answers:

Maria was excited to move into her college dorm, despite the fact that it was conveniently located near her favorite campus quad.

Maria was excited to move into her college dorm, even though it was conveniently located near her favorite campus quad.

Maria was excited to move into her college dorm, which was conveniently located near her favorite campus quad.

Maria was excited to move into her college dorm, however conveniently located near her favorite campus quad.

Maria was excited to move into her college dorm, and was conveniently located near her favorite campus quad.

Correct answer:

Maria was excited to move into her college dorm, which was conveniently located near her favorite campus quad.

Explanation:

The second sentence describes the dorm's location, so the following option is best because it allows the location as a description of the dorm:

"Maria was excited to move into her college dorm, which was conveniently located near her favorite campus quad." 

"Even though," "despite the fact that it," and "however" make it seem like the dorm's location is a negative detail, but the second sentence implies that this location is a positive detail through the use of the adverb "conveniently," so those options are incorrect.

The other option merely connects the second sentence to the first as a dependent clause that makes it sound as if Maria is "conveniently located near her favorite campus quad," so it is not as clear or grammatically sound as the "which was" option.

Example Question #1081 : Improving Sentences

He had admired athletes for a long time, wants them to talk to him every chance he could

Possible Answers:

and wants them to

wants them to

wanting them to

wanted them to

and wanted them to

Correct answer:

and wanted them to

Explanation:

There are two grammatical errors in the underlined portion of the sentence. First, the two independent clauses need to be joined by the conjunction "and." Second, the two verb forms in the two clauses should be parallel, leaving "and wanted them to," as the only correct answer choice.

Example Question #16 : 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.

I should have stayed home from school today. Because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.

Possible Answers:

I should have stayed home from school today, because of this stomach virus; and because I am simply too sick to focus.

I should have stayed home from school today, because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.

I should have stayed home from school today because of this stomach virus I am simply too sick to focus.

I should have stayed home from school today; because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.

Correct answer:

I should have stayed home from school today; because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.

Explanation:

The answer choice "I should have stayed home from school today; because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus" combines two independent clauses with a semicolon, the second of which supports the first closely enough to merit the semicolon. 

Incorrect options:

"I should have stayed home from school today because of this stomach virus I am simply too sick to focus.": This answer choice is one sentence and a run-on.

"I should have stayed home from school today, because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.": This answer choice combines two independent clauses with a comma, forming a run-on.

"I should have stayed home from school today, because of this stomach virus; and because I am simply too sick to focus.": This answer choice combines an independent and dependent clause with a semicolon, which you cannot do. The second part of the sentence is a fragment.

Example Question #1082 : Improving Sentences

Good ideas often come in bunches, overload a creative person's brain.

Possible Answers:

bunches overload a creative person's brain.

bunches, overloads a creative person's brain.

bunches, overload the creative person's brain.

bunches, overloading a creative person's brain.

bunches, overload a creative person's brain.

Correct answer:

bunches, overloading a creative person's brain.

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence contains an inappropriate use of the verb "overload." The use in the sentence needs to acknowledge the fact the final phrase is a fragment on its own. "Overloading" appropriately ties the phrase to the subject of "good ideas."

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