PSAT Writing : Identifying Punctuation Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas In Lists

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

By the end of the night, Derrick could tell that all the guests were full, happy and tired; the party had truly been a success. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

tired; the

night, Derrick

happy and 

been

Correct answer:

happy and 

Explanation:

Since the list "full, happy, and tired" has more than 2 items, each item before the last item must be separated using a comma. Inserting a comma after "happy" will make this sentence correct, so the underlined phrase "happy and" must be changed. Note that a semicolon is correctly used to separate two independent clauses from one another in this sentence.

Example Question #4 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas In Lists

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

Yolanda, Sam are going to college in the fall, and they are nervous about living away from home. No error

Possible Answers:

fall, and

No error

Yolanda, Sam

about living

are

Correct answer:

Yolanda, Sam

Explanation:

Since the names Yolanda and Sam are the only items in the list, they do not need to be separated by a comma. We use the conjunction "and" to combine items in a two-item list, so "Yolanda, Sam" should be changed to "Yolanda and Sam." If Yolanda and Sam had a third friend, named, say, Suzannah, then commas would be needed to separate each name in the list.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Finally the teacher returned our papers, and despite our initial worries, we discovered all of us had received passing marks. No error

Possible Answers:

Despite

No error

Finally the teacher

worries, we

all of us

Correct answer:

Finally the teacher

Explanation:

Here, "finally" is considered an introductory word, so it must be followed by a comma: "Finally, the teacher . . ."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

If you decide to go to the beach make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin! No error

Possible Answers:

to the beach make sure

to protect your skin!

No error

to wear

If you decide

Correct answer:

to the beach make sure

Explanation:

The phrase "If you decide to go to the beach" is an introductory phrase, and all introductory phrases need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. So, after being corrected, the sentence would read, "If you decide to go to the beach, make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin!"

Example Question #31 : Identifying Punctuation Errors

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

Daisy and her sister, Margot, shared a large family but a special relationship; even among their numerous older and younger sisters, Margot, and Daisy had a special bond. No error

Possible Answers:

sisters, Margot, and

relationship; even

among

her sister, Margot,

No error

Correct answer:

sisters, Margot, and

Explanation:

Because the sentence states that Margot is not Daisy's only sister, the commas and which frame her name in "their numerous older and younger sisters, Margot, and Daisy" are incorrect. The comma that sets apart Margot's name at the beginning of the sentence ("Daisy and her sister, Margot, shared") is correctly used, because here, Margot is being specified as Daisy's sister in an appositive phrase that renames "her sister" as "Margot."

Example Question #2 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Despite disinterest in school elections, the majority of the students voted Shindra the treasurer, president of the student governmentNo error

Possible Answers:

student government

Despite disinterest

No error

Shindra the treasurer,

elections, the

Correct answer:

Shindra the treasurer,

Explanation:

"The treasurer" here is an appositive: it renames or restates Shindra in different words, and it should be surrounded with commas. The correct sentence should be: "the students voted Shindra, the treasurer, president . . ."

Example Question #2 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Istanbul, despite being an old city has recently been the site of major commercial developments hoping to bring international business to the country. No error

Possible Answers:

developments hoping

Instanbul, despite

despite being an old city

to bring international business

No error

Correct answer:

despite being an old city

Explanation:

Here "despite being an old city" needs to be separated by the main clause by two commas, not just one.

Example Question #671 : 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.

At the insistence of the manager, the entire team dropped the project immediately; the project leader however, continued her work without interruptionNo error

Possible Answers:

leader however,

immediately; the

without interruption

manager, the entire team

At the insistence

Correct answer:

leader however,

Explanation:

The word "however" here is considered a non-essential phrase: it can be removed, leaving a complete sentence. So it must be surrounded with commas: "The project leader, however, continued . . ."

Example Question #4 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Perdita the lost princess, was found and raised by a shepherd. No error

Possible Answers:

Perdita the lost princess,

by a shepherd.

found and raised

was

No error

Correct answer:

Perdita the lost princess,

Explanation:

Commas should be used to set off the phrase "the lost princess," as it is in apposition to (gives a description of) the subject Perdita, but the sentence still makes sense without it. So, "Perdita the lost princess," contains the sentence's error, and the sentence should read, "Perdita, the lost princess, was found and raised by a shepherd."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Dependent Clauses

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

Although he initially refused to go to the cinema, James finally saw the movie, that his friends had recommendedNo error

Possible Answers:

had recommended

refused to go to the cinema

movie, that

No error

Although he

Correct answer:

movie, that

Explanation:

Commas, gramatically speaking, should never be used before or after the word "that." The correct sentence would have: "James finally saw the movie that his friends . . ."

"Had recommended" could be changed to "recommended", for the sake of simplicity, but the comma error is more flagrant.

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