PSAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage

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

After you play in the sand at the beach, it's very easy to get a lot of sand stuck in one's shoes. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

stuck

you

it's

a lot

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

It is not grammatically correct to use both "you" and "one" as pronouns in the same sentence. As written, the sentence begins by using "you," but then changes to using "one" when it ends with the phrase "one's shoes." So, to correct the sentence's error, "you" should be changed to "one."

Example Question #65 : 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.

One should never trust people who talk about others behind their backs, because you can safely assume they will do the same to you. No error

Possible Answers:

No Error

who talk

behind their backs

One should never

they will do

Correct answer:

One should never

Explanation:

The sentence starts off by using "one" as a pronoun, but then switches to using "you." In a single sentence, you should pick one of these pronouns to use and stick with it, and not change from using one to using the other in the middle of the sentence. To correct the sentence's error, you would need to change "One" to "You."

Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage

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 plan to study physics in college, one should focus on taking science and math courses in high school. No error

Possible Answers:

to study

No error

one

taking

and

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

When using "you" or "one" as the subject of a sentence, you need to be consistent. Because the first half of this sentence uses "you" as the subject, the second half must also use "you"—not "one."

Example Question #4 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage

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 want to eat at a new restaurant on a Saturday night, one must make reservations as soon as possible to avoid a lengthy wait. No error

Possible Answers:

lengthy

on

No error

want

one

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

Sentences must consistently use either "you" or "one" as the subject, and because this sentence identifies "you" as the subject in the first clause, the second clause must also use "you" (not "one").

Example Question #81 : 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.

One should always guard your valuables when traveling in a crowded placeNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

always

your

a crowded place

when traveling

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

This sentence uses both "you" and "one" to give general advice. These should be kept consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "One should always guard one's valuables when traveling in a crowded place."

Example Question #281 : 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.

When one is in the library, lower your voice so as not to disturb others. No error

Possible Answers:

in the library

to disturb others.

one

No error

When

Correct answer:

one

Explanation:

The words "one and "you" are both acceptable pronouns, but they should not be used as pronouns in the same sentence because the third-person pronoun "you" does not agree with "one."

Example Question #282 : 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.

One should never underestimate the worth of double-checking your work. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

double-checking

never

the worth

your

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

This sentence uses both "one" and "you" as pronouns. These should be kept consistent—that is, if a sentence uses one of these pronouns, it should not suddenly start using the other afterwards. Changing "your" to "one's" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "One should never underestimate the worth of double-checking one's work."

Example Question #283 : 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.

Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment one feels after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort. No error

Possible Answers:

one feels

is

Although learning

No error

challenging

Correct answer:

one feels

Explanation:

This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun “your” and the general pronoun “one.” These should stay consistent; if you begin by using one of these words as a pronoun in a sentence, you shouldn't suddenly switch to using the other. The corrected sentence reads: "Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment you feel after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort."

Example Question #284 : 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.

The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures. No error

Possible Answers:

are based

No error

research study

various

your

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

This sentence first introduces the possessive pronoun "one's" in "one's taste expectations," but later, it switches to using the possessive pronoun "your" in "your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures." If you begin using one of these pronouns in a sentence, you should be consistent and only use that pronoun in that grammatical situation for the rest of the sentence; switching from one to the other mid-sentence is grammatically incorrect. To correct the sentence, you could either change "one's" to "your" or "your" to "one's"—either swap would result in a consistent use of one of the pronouns. One version of the corrected sentence would read, "The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of one’s prior experience with foods of various colors and textures."

Example Question #281 : 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.

One should never allow your work responsibilities to be taken over by another person. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

another

to be taken over

your

should never

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts out with the subject “one” and changes to the possessive “your,” but these should refer to the same thing. The corrected sentence reads, "One should never allow one’s work responsibilities to be taken over by another person."

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