PSAT Writing : Identifying Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #121 : Identifying 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.
It can be difficult to hear the approaching of cars running on electric engines. No error
No error
to hear
running on
approaching
It can be difficult
approaching
This sentence uses the gerund "approaching" when the noun "approach" already exists. Changing "approaching" to "approach" clarifies the sentence. The corrected sentence reads, "It can be difficult to hear the approach of cars running on electric engines."
Example Question #31 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After attending a workshop on cake decorating, Joe brings edible works of art to every family gathering. No error
every
gathering
No error
a workshop on
brings
brings
The timeline of verb tenses in this sentence doesn’t quite make sense. Read it out loud and you will probably hear that something is wrong. Since the first half is in the past, the second half should be too. The corrected sentence reads: After attending a workshop on cake decorating, Joe has brought edible works of art to every family gathering.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
How did she made that cake so moist and fluffy without using an electric beater or any eggs? No error
No error
without
made
any eggs
how
made
The correct verb tense would be "make," since the sentence is phrased as a question and is not a declarative statement about something in the past.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It’s a miserable rainy day outside, so many folks have chose, with good reason, to curl up cozily in their homes by the fireplace. No error
have chose
their
It's
No error
to curl up cozily
have chose
“Have chose” should be written as “have chosen.” The past participle of “to choose” is irregular.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I am finding them on clearance everywhere. No error
As soon as
am finding
everywhere
expensive
No error
am finding
This sentence has a problem with the timeline of verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I found them on clearance everywhere."
Example Question #121 : 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 puzzled over the little mysteries of life and language, wondering if it is possible to mingle in a group of two. No error
group of two
No error
over
life and language
is
is
This sentence has a problem with verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "They puzzled over the little mysteries of life and language, wondering if it was possible to mingle in a group of two."
Example Question #122 : 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.
Since he finally quit his stressful job, Joe is full of energy and witty banter. No error
his
energy and witty banter
finally
is
No error
is
The timeline of this sentence isn’t quite right. Read it out loud, and you will probably hear that something is funny with the verb tense. Since the first half is in the past, the second half has to acknowledge that. The corrected sentence reads: Since he finally quit his stressful job, Joe has been full of energy and witty banter.
Example Question #123 : 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.
Harold almost never complains, but he had never encountered customer service this lousy before. No error
but
had never encountered
lousy
almost
No error
had never encountered
This sentence does not maintain a logical timeline between verb tenses. Read it out loud, and it will probably sound funny. “Had never encountered” should be used following a sentence in the past, not the present. The corrected sentence reads: Harold almost never complains, but he has never encountered customer service this lousy before.
Example Question #124 : 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.
Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth has been overhunting by humans or climate change. No error
climate change
reason for
No error
whether
has been
has been
This sentence uses the incorrect tense of the verb “to be.” The corrected sentence reads: Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth was overhunting by humans or climate change.
Example Question #301 : 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.
Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had been giving him, and Charlie took delight in his agony. No error
had been giving
his
and
agonized over
No error
had been giving
This sentence uses the wrong verb tense. “Had been giving” is clunky and unnecessary. The corrected sentence reads: Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had given him, and Charlie took delight in his agony.
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