PSAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #27 : Identifying Agreement 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 frequency with which her father was bringing home bushels of raw beets were concerning to Kathy. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

with which

raw

was bringing home

were concerning

Correct answer:

were concerning

Explanation:

In this sentence, the verb “were” does not agree with the singular subject “frequency.” The corrected sentence reads, "The frequency with which her father was bringing home bushels of raw beets was concerning to Kathy."

Example Question #28 : Identifying Agreement 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 rhododendrons and lilacs that line the garden path seems out of place in the shadow of the concrete structureNo error

Possible Answers:

structure

seems

No error

rhododendrons and lilacs

in the shadow

Correct answer:

seems

Explanation:

In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. The subject “rhododendrons and lilacs” is plural, but “seems” agrees with a singular noun. The corrected sentence reads, "The rhododendrons and lilacs that line the garden path seem out of place in the shadow of the concrete structure."

Example Question #31 : Identifying Agreement Errors

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

My doctor told me to spend more time gardening, watching movies, and playing board games, because doing things that make me feel good are actually good for my health. No error

Possible Answers:

playing

actually good

No error

feel good

are

Correct answer:

are

Explanation:

The subject here is the singular gerund (verbal noun) "doing"—not the plural noun "things." Thus, the main verb should be the singular—"is," not "are."

Example Question #32 : Identifying Agreement 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 spread, such as honey or syrup, are often used to sweeten pancakes and give them more flavor. No error

Possible Answers:

or

No error

them

sweeten

are often 

Correct answer:

are often 

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence is "spread," which is being used as a singular noun; however, the sentence's verb, "are," agrees with plural nouns, not singular ones. To correct the sentence's error, "are" should be changed to "is."

Example Question #33 : Identifying Agreement Errors

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

Massage and physical therapy helps to alleviate pain for many individuals who otherwise would suffer chronically from their conditions. No error

Possible Answers:

helps

No error

for

from 

would

Correct answer:

helps

Explanation:

The subject in this sentece is "Massage and physical therapy." Because the sentence's subject consists of multiple nouns connected by the conjunction "and," it is a compound subject; compound subjects take plural verbs, so "helps," which agrees with singular nouns, is incorrect. The corresponding verb should be "help," not "helps."

Example Question #34 : Identifying Agreement 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 politician, along with his many constituents, are opposed to the new reforms being enacted by the government. No error

Possible Answers:

along with

being enacted

No error

opposed to

constituents, are

Correct answer:

constituents, are

Explanation:

It is easy to think that the verb "are" refers to "constituents," but in this case ("The politician, along with his many constituents, are . . ."), the verb refers back to "politician," since "along with his many constituents" is a prepositional phrase. So, the plural verb "are" is incorrect since it refers to the singular "politician," and should be replaced with the singular verb "is." The corrected sentence reads, "The politician, along with his many constituents, is opposed to the new reforms being enacted by the government."

Example Question #35 : Identifying Agreement Errors

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

While I don't mind training on the school track, running on trails in our town's local parks are my favorite workout. No error

Possible Answers:

are

No error

in our town's

While

on

Correct answer:

are

Explanation:

Don't be confused here by the plural nouns "trails" and "parks"—neither of these is the subject of the sentence's main clause; they merely add information about the subject. "Running," may initially seem to be a verb, but here it is functioning as a gerund, a verbal ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun. As such, it is a singular subject and needs to take the singular verb "is," making "are" incorrect.

Example Question #36 : Identifying Agreement Errors

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

Rabbits spend more time caring for their young than does other types of rodents such as hamsters and gerbils. No error

Possible Answers:

than does

caring

spend

No error

such as

Correct answer:

than does

Explanation:

The verb "does" is used with singular nouns, but in the sentence as it is written, it refers to "types," a plural noun. To correct the sentence's error, we would need to change "does" to "do," or omit "do" completely, as just the "than" is sufficient to make the comparison.

Example Question #37 : Identifying Agreement 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 two families developed their farms in friendly competition and eventually became the leader of the region’s dairy productionNo error

Possible Answers:

the leader

their

the region's dairy production

friendly

No error

Correct answer:

the leader

Explanation:

This sentence is about two families (plural) that are successful. The sentence has them becoming the leader (singular) in the region. This discrepancy in number is an error. The corrected sentence reads: The two families developed their farms in friendly competition and eventually became the leaders of the region’s dairy production.

Example Question #38 : Identifying Agreement Errors

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

Unfamiliar customs and a sharp intelligence is intimidating, but a good sense of humor is very disarmingNo error

Possible Answers:

very disarming

but

No error

Unfamiliar

is

Correct answer:

is

Explanation:

This sentence lacks agreement between subject and verb. “Is” corresponds with a singular subject, but here the subject is plural. The corrected sentence reads: Unfamiliar customs and a sharp intelligence are intimidating, but a good sense of humor is very disarming.

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