PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #391 : 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 Federalists and the Republicans, the first two political parties of the United States, disagreed with how the Constitution should be interpretedNo error

Possible Answers:

political

No error

of the United States

should be interpreted

with

Correct answer:

with

Explanation:

The wrong preposition is used in "disagreed with." You generally "disagree with" a person or policy, but "disagree over" or "disagree on" an issue. Changing "with" to "over" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads "The Federalists and the Republicans, the first two political parties of the United States government, disagreed over how the Constitution should be interpreted."

Example Question #24 : Identifying Preposition Errors

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

Her father prevented her against dropping out of high schoolNo error

Possible Answers:

of high school

prevented her

against

Her father

No error

Correct answer:

against

Explanation:

The correct phrase is “to prevent someone (or something) from doing something.” 

Example Question #392 : 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 two sides were not prepared to compromise with the matter of wage increases, and the discussions came to a standstillNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

and the discussions

to compromise with 

came to a standstill

were

Correct answer:

to compromise with 

Explanation:

This sentence does not use prepositions in the correct idiomatic matter. You compromise on an issue and with people. The corrected sentence reads, "The two sides were not prepared to compromise on the matter of wage increases, and the discussions came to a standstill."

Example Question #26 : Identifying Preposition Errors

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

Joseph was apprehensive by the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawnNo error

Possible Answers:

his front lawn

No error

by the unusual number

was

crowding

Correct answer:

by the unusual number

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong coordinator to connect its different parts. An adjective like “apprehensive” calls for “because” to explain why. The corrected sentence reads, "Joseph was apprehensive because of the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawn."

Example Question #27 : Identifying Preposition Errors

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

Now that I have researched all of the candidates and the issues, I have decided to support for the third party candidate. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

all of the

and

support for

have decided

Correct answer:

support for

Explanation:

In this sentence, the preposition “for” is incorrect. “For” is used after the noun “support,” but not the verb. The corrected sentence reads, "Now that I have researched all of the candidates and the issues, I have decided to support the third party candidate."

Example Question #393 : 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 presence of a chicken happily pecking at pretzels strewn across her kitchen floor was rather surprising for Margaret. No error

Possible Answers:

surprising for

strewn

was

No error

happily

Correct answer:

surprising for

Explanation:

There is an error in the idiomatic use of prepositions in this sentence. The preposition “to” is more acceptable after “surprising.” The corrected sentence reads: The presence of a chicken happily pecking at pretzels strewn across her kitchen floor was rather surprising to Margaret.

Example Question #29 : Identifying Preposition Errors

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

Half of the students in the class stayed up all night in order to work in the questions that confused them the most. No error

Possible Answers:

work in

confused

of the students

most

No error

Correct answer:

work in

Explanation:

"In" is the wrong preposition. "Work on" makes more sense.

Example Question #30 : Identifying Preposition Errors

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

Inspired for the delicious quiche that he tried in a French bakery last weekend, Marvin went on a organic vegetable shopping spree and tried to recreate the perfect breakfast in his own kitchenNo error

Possible Answers:

Inspired for

No error

that he tried

in his own kitchen

and

Correct answer:

Inspired for

Explanation:

This sentence uses the wrong preposition after “inspired.” “By” would be idiomatically correct. The corrected sentence reads, "Inspired by the delicious quiche that he tried in a French bakery last weekend, Marvin went on a organic vegetable shopping spree and tried to recreate the perfect breakfast in his own kitchen."

Example Question #31 : Identifying Preposition Errors

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

Secretly delighted that the prank, the author admonished his friends for giving him such a fright. No error

Possible Answers:

delighted that

giving

Secretly

admonished

No error

Correct answer:

delighted that

Explanation:

The correct idiomatic preposition after “delighted” in this context would be “by.” The corrected sentence reads, "Secretly delighted by the prank, the author admonished his friends for giving him such a fright."

Example Question #32 : Identifying Preposition 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 his style was initially a protest to painting, Jackson Pollock's brand of artistic expression is now widespread and has influenced many other artists. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

widespread

protest to

has influenced

traditional painting

Correct answer:

protest to

Explanation:

As a general rule for prepositions, "protest" is accompanied by the preposition "against," not "to." Therefore, "protest to" contains an error. 

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