PSAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #34 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jessica and Theresa hated doing her homework; however, once they were done they were allowed to play in the yard. No error
in the yard
homework; however, once
allowed
No error
her
her
The pronoun "her" does not agree in number with the plural subject, "Jessica and Theresa." It should be "their."
Example Question #35 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Little did he know that his two best friends, which had mistakenly thought it was his birthday, were waiting in the next room to surprise him. No error
No error
Little did he know that
were waiting
to surprise him
which
which
Since his friends are people, the relative pronoun “who” is more appropriate than “which.” The corrected sentence reads, "Little did he know that his two best friends, who had mistakenly thought it was his birthday, were waiting in the next room to surprise him."
Example Question #12 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Students which take too much initiative and participate in too many afterschool activities can sometimes stress themselves out to the point of exhaustion. No error
can
No error
themselves
which
in
which
Students are not things or concepts; they are people! When people are referenced, the word "who" or "whom" is used. Since the students are the subject, the word "which" should be replaced with "who."
Example Question #51 : Identifying Word 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.
An anthropologist always needs to ensure that their notes are meticulous and organized; detailed and accessible records are key to successful fieldwork. No error
organized; detailed
No error
their
successful
are
their
In this sentence, the pronoun “their” does not correspond in number with its antecedent “an anthropologist.” “Their” is plural, but there is only one anthropologist. The corrected sentence reads, "An anthropologist always needs to ensure that his or her notes are meticulous and organized; detailed and accessible records are key to successful fieldwork."
Example Question #38 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A politician has to choose their words carefully; political opponents and the media are always eager for a compromising quote. No error
are
No error
carefully
eager for
their
their
In this sentence, the pronoun “their” does not match in number with its antecedent “a politician.” The pronoun is plural and the antecedent is singular. The corrected sentence would read: A politician has to choose his or her words carefully; political opponents and the media are always eager for a compromising quote.
Example Question #41 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
He had wanted to uproot the weeds in the backyard and plant a real garden, but he never seemed to have time to do it. No error
garden, but
and
No error
to do it
had wanted
to do it
This sentence uses the preposition “it” to refer to the actions of uprooting weeds and planting a garden. “It” should refer to a thing, not an action. A more appropriate choice would be “so”: "He had wanted to uproot the weeds in the backyard and plant a real garden, but he never seemed to have time to do so."
Example Question #42 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Rita tries to arrive ten minutes early to every meeting, but sometimes the rush hour traffic makes it impossible to do it. No error
ten minutes
impossible
do it
No error
but
do it
In this sentence, the pronoun “it” refers to the action of arriving ten minutes early. Since that is a verb, the better phrase would be “do so.” The corrected sentence reads, "Rita tries to arrive ten minutes early to every meeting, but sometimes the rush hour traffic makes it impossible to do so."
Example Question #43 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Each of the students is required to come to the stage to read their essays, in order to practice public speaking. No error
No error
their essays
is required
in order to
Each
their essays
Look for pronoun agreement: "each" is a similiar subject, and cannot be paired with "their," a plural pronoun.
Example Question #44 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
No one knows what his or her future holds: everyone's destiny is unwritten. No error
everyone's
No one
his or her
holds
No error
No error
There is no error. The pronouns are correct: "no one" is singular, and is correctly matched with "his or her."
Example Question #45 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Each of the scientists on the team came to their own conclusion; in the end, there was no clear conclusion to the study. No error
their own
to the study
No error
conclusion
was
their own
Look here for pronoun agreement: "each" is a singular subject and requires a corresponding singular pronoun. The correct pronoun would be "his," "her," or "his or her," rather than "their."
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