PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : 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.
While there are advantages to doing freelance work, it is outweighed by the stress of having an inconsistent income. No error
inconsistent
are
stress of
it
No error
it
The underlined word, "it," refers to the "advantages of freelance work," which is plural. Therefore, "it," a singular pronoun, should be changed to the plural pronoun "they."
Example Question #1 : 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
A psychotherapist always needs to be sure that they are meeting the emotional needs of clients by developing a keen awareness of other people's feelings. No error
No error
always
of clients
a keen awareness of
they are
they are
In this sentence, the plural pronoun “they” does not correspond to the singular antecedent “psychotherapist.” To correct the sentence's error, one would need to replace "they" with "he or she."
Example Question #25 : 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.
Despite an incredible investment of time and energy into the project, Gary was disappointed with their final result. No error
No error
despite
their
into
was
their
In this sentence, “their” does not correspond to the antecedent “Gary.” Since we can reasonably infer that Gary is male, the correct version of this sentence would use the pronoun "his" instead of "their."
Example Question #2 : 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.
The web designer never received their pay for the work completed on the restaurant’s webpage because the owners had declared bankruptcy. No error
their
never
No error
because
declared
their
In this sentence, “their” does not correspond to the antecedent “web designer.” The correct version of this sentence would use the phrase "his or her" or avoid use of a possessive personal pronoun altogether.
Example Question #2 : 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.
It is the flight attendant’s responsibility to make sure that they inform all passengers of the necessary safety precautions to take. No error
they inform
of the
to take
It is
No error
they inform
In this sentence, the plural pronoun “they” does not correspond to the singular antecedent “flight attendant.” To correct the error, one would need to change "they inform" to "he or she informs."
Example Question #11 : 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.
The students were interested in the frogs they had been given for dissection, but most struggled to see it as scientific learning opportunities instead of gross, dead amphibians. No error
No error
The students were
they had been given
it
for dissection, but
it
This sentence's error occurs in its use of the pronoun "it." "It" is a singular pronoun, but in this sentence, it is used to refer to a plural antecedent, "frogs." To correct the sentence's error, you would need to change "it" to "them."
Example Question #4 : 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.
Jackie thought that the new traffic circle in the neighborhood was a terrible idea; Franklin thought it too. No error
that
No error
was
too
it
it
The wrong pronoun is used here after "thought," since we do not have a specific "it" to which to refer. The corrected sentence reads, "Jackie thought that the new traffic circle in the neighborhood was a terrible idea; Franklin thought so too."
Example Question #12 : 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 new player might take some time to internalize all of the complicated rules of the game, but they will become an expert with some practice. No error
complicated
but
take some time
No error
they
they
Here, the pronoun “they” does not agree in number with its antecedent, “a new player.” The pronoun is plural and the antecedent is singular. The corrected sentence might read: "A new player might take some time to internalize all of the complicated rules of the game, but he or she will become an expert with some practice."
Example Question #13 : 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.
When guests sleep in my room, they can have trouble sleeping through the night because you can hear the highway outside my window. No error
they can
through
outside
you
No error
you
In this sentence, the people who have trouble sleeping are the "guests." Therefore, in order to maintain continuity within the sentence, "you" should not be used, as "you" does not refer to the "guests." The plural third-person pronoun "they" should be used instead.
Example Question #14 : 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.
Any leader who inspires their constituents must do so by cultivating a sense of national pride and maintaining peace with neighboring states. No error
No error
maintaining
with
do so
their
their
The possessive pronoun "their" in this sentence is meant to refer to the noun "leader." Because"their" is plural whereas "leader" is singular, the pronoun should be singular as well—"his or her" instead of "their."
The answer choice "do so" is correct because it simply replaces a verb phrase mentioned earlier in the sentence—"inspire their constituents."
The answer choice "maintaining" is correct because it preserves the parallel structure started by "cultivating."
The answer choice "with" is correct because to say "peace with" something or someone is the proper use of the idiom.
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