PSAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

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.

Despite the poor weather, I was planning on attending the festival with herNo error

Possible Answers:

her

No error

Despite

was planning

on attending

Correct answer:

on attending

Explanation:

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 #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.

Margo was upset how the zoo was wasting valuable resources on moving sidewalks when the lions needed a new enclosure. No error

Possible Answers:

needed

was wasting

moving sidewalks

how

No error

Correct answer:

how

Explanation:

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 #5 : 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

Possible Answers:

life, they

maybe

No error

While

as well as

Correct answer:

maybe

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

who choose

amount of deaths

have passed

No error

inebriated

Correct answer:

amount of deaths

Explanation:

"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 #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.

Even though Joseph is a big fan of cooking shows, he hasn't never cooked in his entire life. No error

Possible Answers:

his

hasn't

No error

cooked

Even though

Correct answer:

hasn't

Explanation:

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 #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.

A fundraising campaign was started for the purpose to support ecological restoration projects in South America. No error

Possible Answers:

was started

fundraising

No error

to support

in South America

Correct answer:

to support

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

their

to unanimously postpone

have decided 

students'

No error

Correct answer:

to unanimously postpone

Explanation:

“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 #8 : 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

Possible Answers:

the Statue Of Liberty 

thousands of tourists

the impressive, timeless, monument

No error

to New York City

Correct answer:

the Statue Of Liberty 

Explanation:

The preposition “of” in the title “Statue of Liberty” does not need to be—and should not be—capitalized.

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.

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

Possible Answers:

he undertakes

The Odyssey is a long epic poem

No error

that

to try and return to his home

Correct answer:

The Odyssey is a long epic poem

Explanation:

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 #241 : 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 world was forever changed by the discovery of deep sea eels, who’s skin possessed remarkable healing propertiesNo error.

Possible Answers:

remarkable healing properties

was forever

who's skin

No error.

changed by

Correct answer:

who's skin

Explanation:

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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