PSAT Writing : Identifying Preposition Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Since she had surgery, Christine has appreciated for the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment. No error
No error
surgery; Christine
her
Since
appreciated for
appreciated for
This sentence uses an unnecessary preposition. While it is convention to speak about “an appreciation for,” the preposition “for” is not used with the verb “to appreciate.” The corrected sentence reads, "Since she had the surgery, Christine has appreciated the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment."
Example Question #24 : Identifying Other 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.
The roller coaster was old and rickety, and the seatbelts were dangerously frayed; getting in, I felt afraid of my life. No error
getting in
afraid of
old and rickety
No error
dangerously
afraid of
This sentence doesn’t follow the conventions of prepositions in its choice of preposition that follows the verb “afraid.” “Afraid of” is very different than “afraid for.” In this case, because the speaker’s life is the thing in danger instead of the speaker's life causing the speaker to feel afraid, “for” is appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "The roller coaster was old and rickety, and the seatbelts were dangerously frayed; getting in, I felt afraid for my life."
Example Question #22 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The Federalists and the Republicans, the first two political parties of the United States, disagreed with how the Constitution should be interpreted. No error
should be interpreted
of the United States
with
political
No error
with
The wrong preposition is used in "disagreed with." You generally "disagree with" a person or policy, but "disagree over" or "disagree on" an issue. Changing "with" to "over" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads "The Federalists and the Republicans, the first two political parties of the United States government, disagreed over how the Constitution should be interpreted."
Example Question #22 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Her father prevented her against dropping out of high school. No error
against
Her father
of high school
prevented her
No error
against
The correct phrase is “to prevent someone (or something) from doing something.”
Example Question #21 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The two sides were not prepared to compromise with the matter of wage increases, and the discussions came to a standstill. No error
came to a standstill
were
to compromise with
No error
and the discussions
to compromise with
This sentence does not use prepositions in the correct idiomatic matter. You compromise on an issue and with people. The corrected sentence reads, "The two sides were not prepared to compromise on the matter of wage increases, and the discussions came to a standstill."
Example Question #22 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Joseph was apprehensive by the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawn. No error
his front lawn
by the unusual number
was
No error
crowding
by the unusual number
This sentence uses the wrong coordinator to connect its different parts. An adjective like “apprehensive” calls for “because” to explain why. The corrected sentence reads, "Joseph was apprehensive because of the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawn."
Example Question #23 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Now that I have researched all of the candidates and the issues, I have decided to support for the third party candidate. No error
and
No error
have decided
all of the
support for
support for
In this sentence, the preposition “for” is incorrect. “For” is used after the noun “support,” but not the verb. The corrected sentence reads, "Now that I have researched all of the candidates and the issues, I have decided to support the third party candidate."
Example Question #26 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The presence of a chicken happily pecking at pretzels strewn across her kitchen floor was rather surprising for Margaret. No error
was
No error
surprising for
happily
strewn
surprising for
There is an error in the idiomatic use of prepositions in this sentence. The preposition “to” is more acceptable after “surprising.” The corrected sentence reads: The presence of a chicken happily pecking at pretzels strewn across her kitchen floor was rather surprising to Margaret.
Example Question #26 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Half of the students in the class stayed up all night in order to work in the questions that confused them the most. No error
work in
most
No error
of the students
confused
work in
"In" is the wrong preposition. "Work on" makes more sense.
Example Question #27 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Inspired for the delicious quiche that he tried in a French bakery last weekend, Marvin went on a organic vegetable shopping spree and tried to recreate the perfect breakfast in his own kitchen. No error
in his own kitchen
that he tried
Inspired for
and
No error
Inspired for
This sentence uses the wrong preposition after “inspired.” “By” would be idiomatically correct. The corrected sentence reads, "Inspired by the delicious quiche that he tried in a French bakery last weekend, Marvin went on a organic vegetable shopping spree and tried to recreate the perfect breakfast in his own kitchen."
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