PSAT Writing : Identifying Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #4 : Identifying Other Verb 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 chance, Frank would drop everything and dedicate his life to swim the English Channel. No error.
Given the chance
to swim
his life
everything and
No error.
to swim
This sentence uses the verb “swim” when it needs a gerund, “swimming.” A gerund is a verb that is acting as a noun. The corrected sentence reads, "Given the chance, Frank would drop everything and dedicate his life to swimming the English Channel."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Other Verb 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 children were sorely disappointed that the water slide being closed for repairs. No error.
No error.
for repairs
All of the children
being closed
sorely
being closed
This sentence has the gerund "being" in it, but the past tense "was" is cleaner and more direct. The corrected sentence reads, "All of the children were sorely disappointed that the water slide was closed for repairs."
Example Question #7 : Identifying Other Verb 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.
Many people find the rigorous schedule associated with campaign management being overly fatiguing. No error.
associated with
No error.
overly
being
Many people find
being
This sentence uses “being” as a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) when the infinitive is necessary. Always, when you use "find" followed by a noun and then an adjective or an adjectival phrase, you should connect the noun and adjective or adjectival phrase with the infinitive “to be.” The corrected sentence reads, "Many people find the rigorous schedule associated with campaign management to be overly fatiguing."
Example Question #66 : 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.
Tanner was afraid for returning to the cold winters of the northern states. No error.
northern
was
cold winters
for returning to
No error.
for returning to
The adjective “afraid” is usually followed by either an infinitive (“to return”) or “of” and a gerund (“of returning”). Choose one of those to fix this sentence: "Tanner was afraid to return to the cold winters of the northern states."
Example Question #71 : 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.
The sense of expectation in the air was almost unbearable; the curtain was supposed to risen at half past six, and it was almost seven. No error.
unbearable; the curtain
No error.
risen
The sense of expectation
almost
risen
This sentence uses a participle (“risen”) after “to.” Here, an infinitive is correct. If you read the sentence as it is written out loud, it will probably sound incorrect. The corrected sentence reads, "The sense of expectation in the air was almost unbearable; the curtain was supposed to rise at half past six, and it was almost seven."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Other Verb 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 revolutionary in American dance, Isadora Duncan rejected pointe shoes and stiff corsets, chose instead to dance barefoot in loose tunics. No error
to dance
A revolutionary in American dance
chose
stiff corsets
No error
chose
The last clause in this sentence needs to be reformatted to fit into the logic of the sentence. Turning “chose” into a gerund accomplishes this. The corrected sentence reads: "A revolutionary in American dance, Isadora Duncan rejected pointe shoes and traditional stiff corsets, choosing instead to dance barefoot in loose tunics."
Example Question #311 : 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.
Not wanting being behind on her work, Maria furiously finished editing the pile of documents on her desk. No error
No error
furiously
being behind
her
the pile of documents
being behind
This sentence uses the gerund “being” when the infinitive “to be” is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Not wanting to be behind on her work, Maria furiously finished editing the pile of documents on her desk."
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