PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #201 : Psat Writing Skills

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

The members of the cleaning crew made the event enjoyable and safe for all, and it deserves our thanks. No error

Possible Answers:

enjoyable and safe

it deserves

No error

made

of

Correct answer:

it deserves

Explanation:

In this sentence, it is easy to think that "it" refers to "cleaning crew," but since "cleaning crew" appears as the object of the preposition "of the cleaning crew" in the subject "the members of the cleaning crew," the plural noun "members" is actually the referent of the singular pronoun "it." To correct the sentence's error, "it" should be changed to "they," which agrees with plural antecedents. The corrected sentence reads, "The members of the cleaning crew made the event enjoyable and safe for all, and they deserve our thanks."

Example Question #11 : 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.

Jessica and Theresa hated doing her homework; however, once they were done they were allowed to play in the yardNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

in the yard

homework; however, once

her

allowed

Correct answer:

her

Explanation:

The pronoun "her" does not agree in number with the plural subject, "Jessica and Theresa." It should be "their."

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.

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 himNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

which

were waiting

to surprise him

Little did he know that

Correct answer:

which

Explanation:

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 #13 : 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

Possible Answers:

can

No error

themselves

in

which

Correct answer:

which

Explanation:

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 #14 : 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.

An anthropologist always needs to ensure that their notes are meticulous and organized; detailed and accessible records are key to successful fieldwork. No error

Possible Answers:

are

their

organized; detailed

successful

No error

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

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 #15 : 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 politician has to choose their words carefully; political opponents and the media are always eager for a compromising quote. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

are

carefully

their

eager for

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

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 #16 : 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.

He had wanted to uproot the weeds in the backyard and plant a real garden, but he never seemed to have time to do itNo error

Possible Answers:

had wanted

No error

and

garden, but

to do it

Correct answer:

to do it

Explanation:

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 #21 : 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 itNo error

Possible Answers:

but

No error

impossible

do it

ten minutes

Correct answer:

do it

Explanation:

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 #55 : 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.

Each of the students is required to come to the stage to read their essays, in order to practice public speaking. No error

Possible Answers:

their essays

is required

No error

in order to

Each

Correct answer:

their essays

Explanation:

Look for pronoun agreement: "each" is a similiar subject, and cannot be paired with "their," a plural pronoun.

Example Question #24 : 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.

No one knows what his or her future holds: everyone's destiny is unwritten. No error

Possible Answers:

holds

No one

his or her

everyone's

No error

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

There is no error. The pronouns are correct: "no one" is singular, and is correctly matched with "his or her."

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