PSAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #301 : 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 often finds that one can’t study when people are talking near you, especially if those people are giggling or yelling. No error
especially if
can't
you
No error
are
you
You can't switch between "one" and "you." The sentence begins with "one" and has to keep using it for the remainder of the statement.
Example Question #71 : 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.
Riding your bicycle to work can help reduce one's carbon dioxide footprint. No error
one's
reduce
to work
can help reduce
Riding
one's
This sentence cannot decide who it's addressing; it uses both "your" and "one's." These should be kept consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "Riding your bicycle to work can help reduce your carbon dioxide footprint."
Example Question #72 : Identifying 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.
What was once a friendly argument between my brother and I quickly became a full-scale brawl. No error.
No error.
my brother and I
a full-scale brawl
quickly
What was once
my brother and I
This sentence uses the wrong pronoun case. “I” is only used as a subject, and “me” is used as an object. Here, as the object of the preposition “between,” “me” is needed. The corrected sentence reads, "What was once a friendly argument between my brother and me quickly became a full-scale brawl."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The awkward tension between Sam and I was, as it turns out, completely one-sided. No error
completely one-sided
awkward
No error
Sam and I
as it turns out
Sam and I
The pronoun "I" is only used as the subject of a sentence. "Me" is used as the object of a verb or (as in this case) a preposition. The corrected sentence reads, "The awkward tension between me and Sam was, as it turns out, completely one-sided."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I say that between you and I, we can definitely eat that entire pizza. No error
we
I say
No error
you and I
between
you and I
The phrase "between you and I" is incorrect because "you" and "I" are acting as the objects of the prepositional phrase "between you and I," where the objective forms of these pronouns ("you" and "me") should be used instead.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I never heard the official announcement, but I received the news when Mark sent an email to Sharon and I. No error
received
when
never
No error
Sharon and I
Sharon and I
This sentence has a problem with pronoun case in the prepositional phrase "to Sharon and I." "I" is the subjective case of the first-person pronoun, but as an object of the preposition "to," the objective case of the first-person pronoun, "me," should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "I never heard the official announcement, but I received the news when Mark sent an email to Sharon and me."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
“I don’t understand why I can’t come to the movies with you,” cried Tina’s younger brother, whom had a strict 8:00 bedtime. No error
No error
don't understand
whom
to the movies
cried
whom
The word "whom" is incorrect because it refers to the brother, who is the subject of the sentence (it is the younger brother who does the crying here). Therefore, the correct word choice would be "who."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My boyfriend and me went to the animal shelter, and together, we adopted a dog. No error
No error
adopted
together
went
me
me
This sentence contains an error in its use of the pronoun "me." The proper subjects of the sentence are "my boyfriend" and "I." "Me" is an objective pronoun, not a subjective pronoun (e.g., "My boyfriend gave the puppy to me." is correct, but "Me went to the animal shelter" is not correct.)
Example Question #4 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It was a frightening experience when our camping leader left my friend and I to set up camp by ourselves while the wolves were howling. No error
by ourselves
were
when
I
No error
I
When someone is left behind, that person is the object of the action. "Me" is the first person pronoun that is used as an object, not "I." Therefore, the word "I" should be changed to the word "me" in the sentence.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Startled by the sudden darkness that fell upon the town, Margaret, Thomas, and me stumbled and clutched at each other. No error
clutched at
that fell upon
Startled by
No error
me
me
This sentence has a problem with pronoun case. Since “me” is a subject, it should be “I.” The corrected sentence reads, "Startled by the sudden darkness that fell upon the earth, Margaret, Thomas, and I stumbled and clutched at each other."
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