All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Lisa, Aaron, and Jason is coming over later than everyone else.
Lisa, Aaron, and Jason are coming
Lisa, Aaron, and Jason is to come
Lisa, Aaron,, and Jason is coming
Lisa, Aaron, and Jason coming
Lisa, Aaron, and Jason have come
Lisa, Aaron, and Jason are coming
The use of the singular verb "is" does not match with the plural subjects of the sentence. The subject and verb must always be in agreement. The correct answer is "Lisa, Aaron, and Jason are coming."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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 bylaws of the organization was ratified by a unanimous vote yesterday.
The newer bylaws of the organization was
The new bylaws from the organization was
The new bylaws of the organization was
The new bylaws of the organization were
The new bylaws for the organization was
The new bylaws of the organization were
While the singular verb "was" is next to the singular noun "organization," the subject of the sentence is the plural noun "bylaws." This means that the verb "was" needs to be changed to a plural form; therefore, "The new bylaws of the organization were" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #61 : 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 boys in the class hates the movie.
A boys in the class hates the movie.
The boys in the class is hating the movie.
The boys in the class hate the movie.
The boys in the class hating the movie.
The boys in the class hates the movie.
The boys in the class hate the movie.
Although the verb "hates," which is used with singular nouns, is next to the singular noun "class," the subject of the sentence is the plural noun "boys." The verb needs to be changed to its plural form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "The boys in the class hate the movie."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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 children were late in joining the group for the trip.
One of the children was late in joining
One of the children were lately in joining
One of the children were late in joining
One of the children were late to join
One of the children were later in joining
One of the children was late in joining
Although the plural verb "were" is next to the plural noun "children," the subject of the sentence is the singular "one." A subject and verb in a sentence must always be in agreement regarding number (whether a noun is singular or plural). Therefore, the correct answer choice is "One of the children was late in joining."
Example Question #1091 : Sentence Correction
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 boys were always coming late to class, but it was always a different one each day.
One of the boys were always came late to class
One of the boys were always coming late to class
One of the boys were always come late to class
One of the boys was always coming late to class
One of the boys were always coming late for class
One of the boys was always coming late to class
The use of "were" is incorrect in this sentence, as the subject is "one," a singular noun. Even though "were" is next to the word "boys," it needs to be a singular verb form. "One of the boys was always coming late to class" is the only answer choice that uses the correct verb form.
Example Question #41 : Agreement 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.
Every one of the kids like their new teacher, who arrived in the middle of the semester.
Every one of the kids likes their new teacher
Every one of the kids liking their new teacher
Every one of the kids like there new teacher
Every one kids like their new teacher
Every one of the kids like their new teacher
Every one of the kids likes their new teacher
The verb used in the sentence, "like," is a plural form, but the subject of the sentence is actually a singular form, "Every one." A subject and verb must always be in agreement. "Every one of the kids likes their new teacher" is the only answer choice to have appropriate subject-verb agreement.
Example Question #781 : Improving Sentences
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 leader of the football players make all decisions for the entire group.
the football players making all decisions
the football players makes all decisions
the football players were making all decisions
the football players to make all decisions
the football players make all decisions
the football players makes all decisions
The use of the plural verb form "make" is incorrect in this sentence, as the subject, "The leader," is a singular noun. A subject and verb must always be in agreement, meaning the verb needs to be changed to a singular form. Only "the football players makes all decisions" uses the proper verb form, so it is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Agreement 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 first of the shows were much tamer than the shows that came later.
the shows were much tamer
the shows were more tamer
the shows were much tamest
the shows was much tamer
the show's were much tamer
the shows was much tamer
The subject of the sentence is a singular noun, "first," but the sentence is written with a plural verb, "were." A subject and the verb that describes its action must always be in agreement, meaning this verb needs to be changed to a singular form. The only answer choice to use the correct verb form is "the shows was much tamer."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Agreement 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 boys were making trouble for everybody else.
the boys was making trouble
the boys were making troubling
the boys were making trouble
the boys were make trouble
the boys were made trouble
the boys was making trouble
The verb in the sentence, "were," is a plural verb, but the subject of the sentence is "one," a singular noun. Any subject and verb must be in agreement, so the verb has to be changed to the singular form, because "one" is not underlined in the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "the boys was making trouble."
Example Question #71 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The argument over the scandal and the authority of the governor have intensified greatly.
whether the governor has authority has
what the authority of the governor is has
the governor's authority have
the authority of the governor have
the authority of the governor has
the authority of the governor has
Because the subject of the sentence is the singular noun argument, the verb have is conjugated incorrectly. The sentence also has a list which requires parallel phrasing. The only choice that corrects both problems is "the authority of the governor has".
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