PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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

If under a lot of stress, your much more likely to make mistakes that you otherwise would not make if operating under normal circumstances. No error

Possible Answers:

your

operating under

under

No error

otherwise

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

“Your” is the possessive form of the pronoun "you," which doesn't make sense in the sentence. The word “you’re,” the contracted form of “you are," should be used instead.

Example Question #421 : 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.

My cousin insists on eating hole wheat bread because it is supposed to contain more fiber than the white bread that the rest of our family eats. No error

Possible Answers:

hole

than 

No error

it is 

on 

Correct answer:

hole

Explanation:

The "whole" in "whole wheat" refers to the use of whole grains. "Hole" is a noun, and conveys a physical hole. In this context, the underlined word should be spelled "whole," not "hole."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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

Like a mussel, patience can be strengthened with exercise, time, practice, and persistence. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

mussel

can be

and

with

Correct answer:

mussel

Explanation:

A "mussel" is a type of shellfish and is not appropriate for this sentence. The word that the sentence needs to use is "muscle."

Example Question #2 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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

Even though the teacher told the student, "You have to remove you're shoes," the advice made no impact. No error

Possible Answers:

you're 

No error

student,

though 

made

Correct answer:

you're 

Explanation:

The underlined word, "you're" should be "your," as it is reflecting the student's possession of his or her shoes. "You're" is used when intending to communicate "you are," which would not be appropriate for this sentence.

Example Question #3 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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

It doesn’t matter weather it is rainy or sunny tomorrow, because the volleyball team is sure to hold practice. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

weather

because

or

sure to

Correct answer:

weather

Explanation:

When describing two possibilities, the appropriate word is “whether,” not “weather,” which refers to the climate

Example Question #2 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words

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

Bill, who was not looking forward to seeing his mean cousins, told his mother, “There going to make fun of me.”  No error

Possible Answers:

who 

No error

his

forward to

There

Correct answer:

There

Explanation:

"They’re" is a contraction that means “they are," whereas "there" refers to a specified location. “They’re” is the appropriate word to use in this sentence, not “there.”

Example Question #422 : 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.

Mario yelled,You’re not the only one whose tired; it’s been a long day, and practice was truly exhausting.” No error

Possible Answers:

it's

whose

No error 

yelled,

you're

Correct answer:

whose

Explanation:

The contraction “who’s," which is a shortened form of "who is," should replace “whose,” which is a possessive pronoun and doesn't make sense in the sentence.

Example Question #423 : 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.

Many people are not aware of the duel function of honey; it’s both a natural sweetener and an antiseptic for lesions and other wounds. No error

Possible Answers:

it's

honey;

No error

duel

Many people are

Correct answer:

duel

Explanation:

A "duel” is a fight that adheres to a specific set of rules, while “dual” means having the quality of two. So, "duel" is being incorrectly used in this sentence, and to correct the sentence's error, you would need to replace "duel" with "dual."

Example Question #251 : 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.

They're really excited that their are so many flavors to choose from for the birthday cake. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

their

that

to

They're

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

"Their" is a possessive pronoun that means "belonging to them," but nothing is being possessed by anyone here; the flavors do not belong to anyone in this sentence. "There" would be more appropriate.

Example Question #424 : 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.

Randy warned his children that they’re family would stand out once they moved to Tokyo, simply because of how different they would look compared to many other people in Japan. No error

Possible Answers:

how 

once

they're

his 

No error

Correct answer:

they're

Explanation:

“They’re” is used to abbreviate the phrase “they are,” while “their” is used to show possession.  Since possession is being shown, “their” should be used, not “they’re.”

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