PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #301 : 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.
The teacher was very proud of the student for pursuing towards her dream. No error
for
No error
proud of
was
towards
towards
This sentence does not comply with the idioms that govern which prepositions should follow verbs. “Pursuing” is not typically followed by a preposition. Therefore, “towards” should not come after “pursuing” in the sentence, and can be omitted.
Example Question #381 : 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 young attorney was frustrated that despite being a lawyer, she was being treated for an intern. No error
was
despite
for
No error
being
for
This sentence does not comply with the idioms that govern which prepositions should follow certain verbs. “Treated” is typically followed either by “as” or not followed by a preposition at all. Therefore, the use of the preposition “for” after the word “treated” is inappropriate.
Example Question #382 : 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 athlete knew that in order for win the tournament, she would have to practice much more than she already did. No error
No error
than she already did
in order for win the tournament
would have to practice
more
in order for win the tournament
In standard English, the phrase "in order to (verb)" means to make it such that (verb)ing can occur. When used in this manner, the phrase is always "in order to (verb)," never "in order for (verb)." One might write "In order for the athlete to win the tournament" or "In order to win the tournament," but never "In order for win the tournament."
Example Question #383 : 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.
While the cake was baking, she ate half from the icing and ran to the store to buy more. No error
While the cake was baking,
ran
No error
half from the icing
to buy more
half from the icing
In standard English, "half from the icing" is incorrect; one should say "half of the icing" instead to convey that the subject ate half of the amount of icing that was available.
Example Question #384 : 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.
Nearly all of the city council members voted in favor of the proposal to increase the number of lanes on several notoriously busy streets in an effort at reducing heavy traffic.
in an effort at
No error
proposal to
notoriously
in favor of
in an effort at
This sentence contains an erroneous idiomatic expression. The correct idiom is "in an effort to" rather than "in an effort at." The idioms "in favor of" and "proposal to" are correct, and the adverb "notoriously" correctly modifies the adjective "busy."
Example Question #385 : 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 smell of roasting onions permeated in the courtyard by the kitchen. No error
No error
roasting onions
permeated in
The smell of
by the kitchen
permeated in
The verb "permeated" is not typically followed by the preposition "in." The corrected sentence reads, "The smell of roasting onions permeated the courtyard by the kitchen."
Example Question #386 : 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.
Public transportation strikes can have serious harmful effects for the local economy. No error
No error
can have
local
for
serious harmful
for
The wrong preposition is used here. Usually we say that something has an effect "on" another thing, not "for." The corrected sentence reads, "Public transportation strikes can have serious harmful effects on the local economy."
Example Question #387 : 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.
What is the reason of the giant, empty box that has been sitting in the living room for the past week? No error
has been sitting
for
past
reason of
No error
reason of
This sentence does not follow the conventions of noun and preposition use. The correct preposition to use after “reason” is “for,” not “of.” The corrected sentence reads: "What is the reason for the giant, empty box that has been sitting in the living room for the past week?"
Example Question #388 : 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.
Since she had surgery, Christine has appreciated for the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment. No error
her
No error
Since
surgery; Christine
appreciated for
appreciated for
This sentence uses an unnecessary preposition. While it is convention to speak about “an appreciation for,” the preposition “for” is not used with the verb “to appreciate.” The corrected sentence reads, "Since she had the surgery, Christine has appreciated the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment."
Example Question #389 : 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 roller coaster was old and rickety, and the seatbelts were dangerously frayed; getting in, I felt afraid of my life. No error
getting in
No error
old and rickety
dangerously
afraid of
afraid of
This sentence doesn’t follow the conventions of prepositions in its choice of preposition that follows the verb “afraid.” “Afraid of” is very different than “afraid for.” In this case, because the speaker’s life is the thing in danger instead of the speaker's life causing the speaker to feel afraid, “for” is appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "The roller coaster was old and rickety, and the seatbelts were dangerously frayed; getting in, I felt afraid for my life."
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