PSAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Despite the poor weather, I was planning on attending the festival with her. No error
her
was planning
on attending
Despite
No error
on attending
The proper idiom for planning an action is planning to do something, not planning on something. Thus, the clause should be "I was planning to attend the festival with him."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Margo was upset how the zoo was wasting valuable resources on moving sidewalks when the lions needed a new enclosure. No error
moving sidewalks
needed
how
was wasting
No error
how
This sentence uses the wrong relative pronoun after the adjective "upset." Usually, "that" is used. The corrected sentence reads, "Margo was upset that the zoo was wasting valuable resources on moving sidewalks when the lions needed a new enclosure."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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 computers maybe an integral part of modern life, they cause problems as well as provide benefits. No error
While
No error
as well as
life, they
maybe
maybe
"Maybe" is an adverb that means perhaps and is incorrectly used in this sentence. To correct the sentence's error, "maybe" needs to be changed to "may be."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Given the disproportionate amount of deaths caused by drunk drivers, most states have passed strict legislation against individuals who choose to operate vehicles while inebriated. No error
who choose
inebriated
No error
have passed
amount of deaths
amount of deaths
"Amount of" refers to something that is not necessarily measured numerically, while "number of" refers to something that is measured numerically. Given that deaths incurred by drunk drivers is something that can be measured numerically, "number of" would be appropriate, not "amount of." If the sentence was "Given the disproportionate amount of heartache caused by drunk drivers . . .", the sentence would have been properly constructed because heartache generally cannot be measured numerically.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Even though Joseph is a big fan of cooking shows, he hasn't never cooked in his entire life. No error
hasn't
his
No error
cooked
Even though
hasn't
Double negatives are grammatically incorrect in standard written English, so instead of saying "hasn't never cooked," one should say "has never cooked."
Example Question #412 : 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.
A fundraising campaign was started for the purpose to support ecological restoration projects in South America. No error
to support
in South America
fundraising
No error
was started
to support
This sentence does not use the use the phrase “for the purpose of” correctly. This phrase is typically followed by a gerund, a verb that is used as a noun. The corrected sentence reads, "A fundraising campaign was started for the purpose of supporting ecological restoration projects in South America."
Example Question #41 : Identifying Other 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.
All of the chemistry teachers have decided, as of this morning, to unanimously postpone the midterm exam as a result of their students’ poor grades. No error
their
students'
No error
have decided
to unanimously postpone
to unanimously postpone
“To unanimously postpone” constitutes a split infinitive because the verb “to postpone” is split by the adverb. “Unanimously” should be placed elsewhere in the sentence.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Every year, thousands of tourists swarm to New York City to view the impressive, timeless monument known as the Statue Of Liberty. No error
thousands of tourists
to New York City
No error
the Statue Of Liberty
the impressive, timeless, monument
the Statue Of Liberty
The preposition “of” in the title “Statue of Liberty” does not need to be—and should not be—capitalized.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conventional And Idiomatic 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 Odyssey is a very long epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus and the long journey he undertakes to try to return to his home. No error
that
No error
he undertakes
The Odyssey is a long epic poem
to try and return to his home
The Odyssey is a long epic poem
The sentence tells us (correctly) that the Odyssey is "a long epic poem," so as a long poem, its title should be italicized as "The Odyssey."
Example Question #42 : Identifying Other 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 world was forever changed by the discovery of deep sea eels, who’s skin possessed remarkable healing properties. No error.
No error.
who's skin
remarkable healing properties
was forever
changed by
who's skin
The wrong form of who’s/whose is used here. “Who’s” is a contraction for “who is,” while here we want a possessive, which is "whose." The corrected sentence reads, "The world was forever changed by the discovery of deep sea eels, whose skin possessed remarkable healing properties."
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