PSAT Writing : Identifying Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #611 : 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.

Jonathan was a devoted fan of music of almost any kind, and he just could not tolerate reggae. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

could not tolerate

devoted

almost any

and

Correct answer:

and

Explanation:

This sentence is not coordinated correctly. Logically, the second half contradicts the message of the first, so the conjunction “but” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads: Jonathan was a devoted fan of music of almost any kind, but he just could not tolerate reggae.

Example Question #31 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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.

Only six students attended the football game on Saturday, and many students went instead to the school dance. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

attended

and

on

to

Correct answer:

and

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in the logical expression of ideas. The original text uses the conjunction "and," which fails to capture the cause and effect relationship between low attendance at the football game and students going to the dance instead. A better conjunction to express the cause and effect relationship would be "because."

Example Question #611 : 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.

Jack was the one who got us into this dangerous situation, but he has absolutely no right to complainNo error

Possible Answers:

dangerous

the one

No error

to complain

but

Correct answer:

but

Explanation:

This sentence isn’t coordinated correctly. The conjunction “but” does not describe the logical connection between the two parts of the sentence. A better alternative would be, "John was the one who got us into this dangerous situation, so he has absolutely no right to complain."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction Errors

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

As his friends cut the triple layer chocolate cake, the author felt cheerful but newly energizedNo error

Possible Answers:

As

but

newly energized

No error

felt

Correct answer:

but

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong coordinating conjunction. Since “cheerful” and “newly energized” are similar, the conjunction “and” should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "As his friends cut the triple layer chocolate cake, the author felt cheerful and newly energized."

Example Question #51 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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.

Unlike his mentor, acheiving the title of "partner" by the time he was thirty years old, Jon does not think that he will acheive this position until he is at least forty years old. No error

Possible Answers:

at least

his

acheiving

No error

he will acheive

Correct answer:

acheiving

Explanation:

The error exists in the underlined portion of the sentence, "achieving." In order to explain the background of who the mentor is, it is not sufficient to place a comma after "mentor" without a transition, such as "who achieved." Simply using the word "achieving" is not sufficient. Therefore, "achieving" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction 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 choice between relationships or space travel can be excruciating to makeNo error.

Possible Answers:

to make

excruciating 

or space travel

The choice

No error.

Correct answer:

or space travel

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong conjunction between “relationships” and “space travel.” If you use “between,” you also need to use the conjunction “and.” The corrected sentence reads, "The choice between relationships and space travel can be excruciating to make."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction 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 neighborhood’s changing cultural landscape is evident in everything from the people walking down the sidewalks and the products carried in the corner markets. No error.

Possible Answers:

evident in

No error.

neighborhood’s changing cultural landscape

and 

products carried

Correct answer:

and 

Explanation:

This sentence has a problem with coordination. When “from” is used, it should trigger “to” as the coordinator between examples. That is, the phrasing should be "from (noun) to (other noun)" instead of "from (noun) and (other noun)." The corrected sentence reads, "The neighborhood’s changing cultural landscape is evident in everything from the people walking down the sidewalks to the products carried in the corner markets."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction Errors

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

Neither the teachers or the students were told that the famous actor and actress would be visiting the school until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell which group was the more excited one when everyone found out. No error

Possible Answers:

the famous actor and actress would be visiting

Neither the teachers or the students were

No error

until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell

the more excited one

Correct answer:

Neither the teachers or the students were

Explanation:

When using the word "neither" to introduce one of two things in a negative fashion, one needs to introduce the other thing using the word "nor," not "or." So, the correct answer is, "Neither the teachers nor the students were told that the famous actor and actress would be visiting the school until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell which group was the more excited one when everyone found out."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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 distinction between "all-natural" or "organic" is something consumers often fail to recognizeNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

or

fail to recognize

is

often

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

The word "between" always triggers the conjunction "and." Here, "or" is used instead. The corrected sentence reads, "The distinction between "all-natural" and "organic" is something consumers often fail to recognize."

Example Question #9 : Identifying Conjunction Errors

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

Neither the aliens who were invading or the people who were being invaded really understood what was happeningNo error

Possible Answers:

who

or

were being

No error

what was happening

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

This sentence has a problem with coordinators. If “neither” is used, it triggers the use of “nor.” The corrected sentence reads: Neither the aliens who were invading nor the people who were being invaded really understood what was happening.

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