PSAT Writing : Identifying Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Identifying Interrupting Phrase Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

That dress, even if it flatters Maureen, is not one that I would wear to the prom. No error.

Possible Answers:

No error

dress, even

Maureen, is

the prom

I would 

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

An interrupting phrase provides extra information about the subject that is not necessary for the sentence to be correct. A correctly-formed interrupting phrase should have a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end, and the sentence should remain correct even if the interrupting phrase is deleted. This means that the correct form of this sentence is "That dress, even if it flatters Maureen, is not one that I would wear to the prom." 

Example Question #2 : Identifying Interrupting Phrase Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

It's hard to believe that Arthur though he did work very hard, received a full scholarship to an Ivy League school. No error. 

Possible Answers:

Ivy League

hard, received

It's hard

Arthur though

No error

Correct answer:

Arthur though

Explanation:

An interrupting phrase provides extra information about the subject that is not necessary for the sentence to be correct. A correctly formed interrupting phrase should have a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end, and the sentence should remain correct even if the interrupting phrase is deleted. This means that the correct form of this sentence is "It's hard to believe that Arthur, though he did work very hard, received a full scholarship to an Ivy League school."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors