PSAT Writing : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #461 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The doctor told his patient that he felt that there was an excess of nurses in the office, that was causing some crowding. No error
that
in
said to
No error
there
that
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the part of the sentence before the comma is being modified by the part of the sentence after the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #384 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Geese are animals who are known for their loyalty; a male goose will never abandon its partner, even under the most extreme circumstances. No error
its
No error
their
loyalty; a male goose
who
who
“Who” should be replaced by “that” because geese are not human, and the pronoun "who" is only used to refer to humans.
Example Question #463 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even though the library had a number of fantasy novels, it did not have the one which Bill was looking for. No error
No error
had
Even though
which
it
which
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which a comma does not follow the subject being modified. Here, "which" is not preceded by a comma, so "that" is the more appropriate choice.
Example Question #464 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The chef was frustrated to see that his assistants had not replaced the saffron, that is a very expensive spice. No error
had not
was
very
that
No error
that
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, “saffron” is being modified by the part of the sentence after the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #465 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jared was very happy when his parents said that they enjoyed the independent film, that Bill had helped to produce. No error
that
was
they
when
No error
that
“Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, “independent film” is being modified by the part of the sentence that follows the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”
Example Question #31 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Identifying sentence errors. Identify any error you find in an underlined portion of the passage. If you can find no errors, select "no error" as your answer choice.
The state of California, that is large, has millions of residents. No error
residents
that
No error
has millions
state of
that
Instead of "that," in this sentence the word "which" would be appropriate, since this is a non-restrictive relative clause. A non-restrictive relative clause has a noun that is already fully identified, but then adds additional information. Here, we already know that we're discussing the state of California, so its largeness is non-restrictive. "That" only works in restrictive clauses, i.e. those that refer to the noun, and which are never set off by commas.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My cat, that has orange and white stripes, enjoys consuming food made for human beings, like bread and noodles. No error
consuming
No error
like
that
has
that
In this sentence, "that" should be replaced with "which" because the phrase it introduces ("has orange and white stripes") is non-essential—that is, the phrase can be removed from the sentence without altering its meaning. "That" should be used with essential words or phrases, meaning that such phrases must be in the sentence for a reader's to understand it properly. An example of an essential phrase would be "The painting that the thief stole last night is still missing." To say "The painting is still missing" would leave out essential information - that it's missing because a thief stole it last night.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The house on the corner near the evergreens has a gabled roof, that has always appealed to Anna. No error
to Anna
No error
that
near the evergreens
has
that
Information that is added in a phrase that follows a comma should begin with "which," not "that." "That" is used at the start of a phrase not preceded by a comma that, if removed from a sentence, causes the sentence to not make sense. "Which," on the other hand, is used to begin a phrase that is set apart from the sentence by a comma and can be removed from the sentence without causing it to not make sense. IN this case, "that" should be changed to "which," since omitting the comma is not an option.
Example Question #991 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
They were very excited because they had baked their friend a triple layer chocolate cake which they knew he was going to love. No error
No error
very excited
which
was going to love
had baked
which
Use “which” for added information after a comma. “That” is for cases like this, where the information is an important part of the sentence and there is no comma. The corrected sentence reads, "They were very excited because they had baked their friend a triple layer chocolate cake that they knew he was going to love."
Example Question #992 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Maria's favorite cupcake was the one which was topped with coconut frosting and had papaya wedges in the middle. No error
in the middle
and papaya
No error
was
which
which
“Which” is used to signal modification to a phrase when the modifying dependent clause comes after a comma. “That” is used to signal modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, the subject being modified ("one" in reference to the cupcake) does not have a comma after it. Therefore, “that” is appropriate, not “which.”
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All PSAT Writing Resources
