PSAT Writing : Correcting Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
What is most importantest in life is having love, health, and happiness in personal relationships.
most important
most importantly
more importanter
most importantest
importantest
most important
"Importantest" is not a word, and is an incorrect superlative form. The proper superlative form of "important" is "most important," which is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #241 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Kylie studied until morning in preparing her test stategy for the next exam.
to prepare her test strategy
for preparing her test strategy
for the preparation of her test strategy
in preparing her test strategy
in an effort to prepare her test strategy
to prepare her test strategy
This is an usual utilization of the word "preparing." Simply "to prepare" is more practical.
Example Question #231 : 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.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely in fire by the time they arrived.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely on fire by the time they arrived.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely in fire by the time they arrived.
By the time they arrived, the firefighters tried their best, although the house was completely in fire.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely engulfed on fire by the time they arrived.
Although they tried their best, the house was completely in fire by the time the firefighters arrived.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely on fire by the time they arrived.
The original sentence contains an idiomatic error: "in fire." In English, objects are described as "on fire," not "in fire." A house that is "on fire" may also be "engulfed in flames," but never "engulfed on fire."
Only the correct answer choice contains the appropriate idiom.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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 politicians couldn't hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
couldn't nearly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe his or her luck.
couldn't hardly believe their luck.
would not hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
We are looking for the answer choice without negation. "Could hardly believe their luck" is the only answer that does not contain a negative.
Example Question #231 : 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.
Mexico is known for growing large quantities of mangos, but that isn’t its primary export.
but that isn’t its primary export, however
but that isn’t it’s primary export
but that isn’t its primary export
but that isn’t Mexicos’ primary export
but that isn’t their primary export
but that isn’t its primary export
Since Mexico is a country (a thing), the possessive would be “its.” “It’s” (with an apostrophe) is a contraction of “it is.” The word “however” is redundant because “but” has the same meaning.
Example Question #231 : 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.
Karla and Kimberly are supposedly much more athletic than they’re older siblings.
than their older siblings
then their older siblings
then they’re older siblings
than there older siblings
than they’re older siblings
than their older siblings
“Than” is used for comparison, while “then” means next in a sequence. The possessive of third person plural is “their.” “They’re” is the contraction of “they are,” and “there” is a place.
Example Question #231 : 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.
The meteorology professor asked her students to record the causes and affects of Hurricane Sandy.
The Meteorology Professor asked her students to record the causes and effects of Hurricane Sandy.
The Meteorology Professor asked her students to record the causes and affects of Hurricane Sandy.
The meteorology professor asked their students to record the causes of effects of Hurricane Sandy.
The meteorology professor asked her students to record the causes and effects of Hurricane Sandy.
The meteorology professor asked her students to record the causes and affects of Hurricane Sandy.
The meteorology professor asked her students to record the causes and effects of Hurricane Sandy.
“Effects” is the noun “effect” in its plural form (e.g., the aftermath). “Affects,” by contrast, is from the verb “to affect” (e.g., to influence). “Meteorology Professor” does not need to be capitalized because it is not the official title of the person.
Example Question #491 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The rain has a big affect on his mood.
His mood has a big affect on the rain.
(No changes to original.)
On his mood, the rain is largely effecting.
The rain has a big effect on his mood.
The rain affects his mood.
The rain has a big effect on his mood.
Here, we need the noun “effect,” not the verb “affect.”
Example Question #10 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Many New Yorkers had no choice but to evacuate the area because of the imminent danger of the approaching snow storm.
because of the imminent danger of the approaching snow storm.
because of the eminent danger from the approaching snowstorm.
because of the imminent danger of the approaching snowstorm.
because of the imminent danger from the approaching snow storm.
because of the eminent danger of the approaching snow storm.
because of the imminent danger of the approaching snowstorm.
“Imminent” means threatening or looming, while “eminent” means well-known or famous. Also, “snowstorm” is a compound word (two words put together).
Example Question #231 : 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.
The car was determined to be the one which was used in the robbery.
which was used in the robbery.
that which was used in the robbery.
the one which was used in the robbery
the one having been used in the robbery.
that was used in the robbery.
the one which was used in the robbery
While the underlined phrase is a bit convoluted, the phrase is fully grammatically correct. Either "that" or "which" would be appropriate in the sentence, but using both or futher modifying the phrase makes it confusing and unclear.
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