PSAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Next time, I plan to look over my composition quick for faults before I turn it in to my professor. No error
composition
in to
quick
faults
No error
quick
"Quick" is an adjective and is being used to describe "look over," a verb. Adjectives cannot be used to describe verbs; adverbs describe verbs. So, "quick" needs to be changed to "quickly" for the sentence to be correct.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
People who hate the pollution emitted by cities also tend to have despised the large companies that create the pollution. No error
No error
also
who
have despised
that create
have despised
Since most of this sentence is in the present tense, it is incorrect for other verbs to be in a different tense, as a general rule. Therefore, “have despised” should be changed to the present tense “despise.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 dentist was frustrated that his patient had developed another set of cavities because he told her to brush her teeth more frequently, and she doesn’t. No error
had developed
was
doesn't
more frequently
No error
doesn't
Since most of this sentence is in the past tense, it is incorrect for other verbs to be in a different tense, as a general rule. Therefore, “doesn’t” should be replaced by the past tense “didn’t.”
Example Question #11 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 young scholar and his advisors, a group of about four people, is going to be honored at an important dinner next week. No error
at
next week
No error
as well as
is
is
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. The subject is plural (“a group of about four people" is a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form should be “are,” not “is.”
Example Question #11 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When Scott runs at night, he wears very bright clothes so that drivers could see him. No error
No error
him
could
so that
at night
could
"Could" is a modal verb, but there is nothing in the sentence that calls for a modal verb to be used because the rest of the sentence is in the indicative mood. So, "could" should be changed to the simple present tense indicative verb "can."
Example Question #12 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After having controlled the city for over 150 years, the British peacefully return Hong Kong to China on July 1st, 1997. No error
over 150 years
No error
return
controlled
peacefully
return
This sentence contains an error in verb tense. Keep verb tenses consistent within the timeline of the sentence. This verb should be past tense ("returned") to reflect an event that happened in the past.
Example Question #22 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I am eagerly awaiting my college admissions decision letters, though I expect that I will have to wait another month before I received any letters. No error
though
No error
will have to wait
received
eagerly awaiting
received
The sentence is referring to something that will happen in the future, which is indicated by the fact that the subject is currently waiting and is expecting to wait longer. Therefore, the verb "receive" cannot be past tense ("received") because it has not happened yet; the subject has not "received" letters and will not for quite some time. "Received" is therefore incorrect.
Example Question #21 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Every member of that family has freckles and bright red hair, so every year, it is easy to spot relatives as they arrived at the family reunion. No error
they arrived
so
No error
to spot
of
they arrived
This sentence contains is a tense agreement issue. It is stated that "it is easy to spot relatives," which is present tense. Therefore, "arrive" must also be present tense. "Is" and "arrive" must agree in tense.
Example Question #22 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We go to the zoo often, where we saw all sorts of birds and other animals. No error
saw
the zoo
No error
We go
where
saw
The sentence begins in present tense because "go" is in present tense. So, the past tense verb "saw" should be changed to the present tense verb "see" in order to keep the sentence's tense consistent.
Example Question #23 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Ralph was having quite a hard time at lunch that day due to the fact that the cafeteria was serving chicken noodle soup and had ran out of spoons. No error
was having
quite a hard time at lunch
had ran out of
No error
due to the fact that
had ran out of
This sentence contains an error in verb tense in the phrase "had ran out of." "Had" is a past tense helping verb, so the verb that follows it needs to be an infinitive. For example, one wouldn't say "He thought I didn't go to the concert, but I did went." You would say, "He thought I didn't go to the concert, but I did go." The corrected version of the given sentence is, "Ralph was having quite a hard time at lunch that day due to the fact that the cafeteria was serving chicken noodle soup and had run out of spoons."
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