PSAT Writing : Correcting Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.

Between my younger sister, my older sister, and me, my older sister walks most fast.

Possible Answers:

most fast

more quick

more quickly

faster

most quickly

Correct answer:

most quickly

Explanation:

In the sentence as it is written, "fast," an adjective, is being used to modify "walks." This is incorrect; only adverbs can modify verbs. So, we need to pick out an answer choice which uses the adverbial form of "fast," which is "quickly." This lets us eliminate the answer choice "most fast." "Faster" cannot be correct because more than two subjects are being compared in the sentence, and "faster" is a comparative adjective that is used to compare two subjects. "More quick," "more fast," and "more quickly" can each be eliminated for this same reason, in addition to the fact that "more quick" isn't grammatically correct at all—one would say "quicker," not "more quick." This leaves us with the correct answer, "most quickly."

Example Question #3 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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 chefs of New York City cannot compare with the home-cooked meals of my mother.

Possible Answers:

(No changes to original.)

The chefs of New York City cannot compare to the home-cooked meals of my mother.

The chefs of New York City cannot hardly compare with the home-cooked meals of my mother.

The chefs of New York City were not comparing with the home-cooked meals of my mother.

The chefs of New York City cannot compare with my mother.

Correct answer:

The chefs of New York City cannot compare with my mother.

Explanation:

We must compare the chefs to my mother, not to the home-cooked meals.

Example Question #2 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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 more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

Possible Answers:

The more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

The more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthier obstacle course.

The more difficult steps in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

The more difficult step in the process of all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

Correct answer:

The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.

Explanation:

The use of "more" in this sentence is odd and confusing, as "more" should be used in a direct comparison between two things. As no comparison is made in this sentence, the modifier should simply indicate a great degree of difficulty. The word "most," a superlative adjective, properly conveys such a meaning, making the correct answer, "The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course."

Example Question #4 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.

During his lifetime, few people knew about the fuller extent of his condition.

Possible Answers:

around the fuller extent of his condition.

about the fuller extent of his condition.

about the fuller extent for his condition.

about the full extent of his condition.

about the fuller extents of his condition.

Correct answer:

about the full extent of his condition.

Explanation:

The use of "fuller" is incorrect in this sentence, as "fuller" implies a comparison, but is not comparing anything in the sentence. The use of the simple adjective "full" is perfectly appropriate in the sentence, making the correct answer choice "about the full extent of his condition."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.

Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.

Possible Answers:

Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.

Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats. 

Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do. 

Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats were to have.

Carbohydrates and proteins have less calories per gram than fats.    

Correct answer:

Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do. 

Explanation:

Calories can be counted, and so we use the word "fewer." "Less" is for quantities that cannot be counted, such as water.  

Example Question #201 : Correcting 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.

Amy drinks lesser water than Johnny, which is why Johnny refills his water bottle more often than Amy does.

Possible Answers:

fewest

least

less

few

fewer

Correct answer:

less

Explanation:

As the question compares two people, a comparative form of the adjective in question must be used, meaning that "few," the regular form of the adjective, and "least" and "fewest," which are each superlative forms, are incorrect. While "fewer" and "less" might each look like a potentially correct answer, "fewer" is used to distinguish between countable nouns, while "less" is used to distinguish between uncountable nouns, like "water." (You can tell if a noun is countable or not if you could precede it with a number, and "seven water" doesn't make sense, given how "water" is used here.) So, "less" is the correct answer.

Example Question #202 : Correcting 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.

I've heard that all vitamins are good for you, but of all the different kinds, are there any that are better?

Possible Answers:

are best

are better

is the better

is the most

is better

Correct answer:

are best

Explanation:

When comparing more than two items, you should use superlative adjectives. So, in this case, you should use the word "best."

Example Question #1492 : Correcting Grammatical 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.

Less people threw they're support behind the politician as more of his personal issues were revealed.

Possible Answers:

Less people through they're support

Fewer people threw their support

Less people threw there support

Less peoples threw they're support

Fewer people threw they're support

Correct answer:

Fewer people threw their support

Explanation:

The use of "they're" is incorrect in the sentence. "They're" is a contraction for "they are," while the sentence needs the third person plural possessive pronoun, "their." "Fewer people threw their support" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1 : 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 girls were always challenging their father's rules for every opportunity.

Possible Answers:

their father's rules for every opportunity.

their father's rules at every opportunity.

their father's rules on every opportunity.

their father's rules onto every opportunity.

their father's rules in every opportunity.

Correct answer:

their father's rules at every opportunity.

Explanation:

The use of the preposition "for" in the sentence is odd, and does not properly reflect what the girls are doing. The preposition should be changed to indicate that they challenged during certain moments. The preposition that best shows this is "at," making the correct answer choice "their father's rules at every opportunity."

Example Question #4 : Correcting Preposition 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.

While I really enjoy studying the French language, I would also like to try and learn some Portuguese as well.

Possible Answers:

I would also like to try learning some Portuguese.

I would also like to try and learn some Portuguese as well.

I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese.

I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese as well.

I would also like to try and learn some Portuguese.

Correct answer:

I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese.

Explanation:

Only the preposition “to” can follow the verb “to try.” It isn’t necessary to include the “as well” because “also” means the same thing; the original phrasing is redundant. 

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