PSAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence, one that is clear and exact, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
The artist depicted the responses of farmers to industrialization: this was a perspective rarely seen at the time.
industrialization: this being a perspective, at the time, rarely seen.
industrialization, at the time, a perspective rarely seen.
industrialization: this was a perspective rarely seen at the time.
industrialization, a perspective having been rarely seen, at the time.
industrialization. This was a perspective rarely seen, at the time.
industrialization: this was a perspective rarely seen at the time.
Here the original sentence is the best option: it is simple and uses correct punctuation.
Example Question #481 : Improving Sentences
Although only given serious attention in recent decades, the author had a devoted fanbase in the time of his own.
in the time being his own.
in the time that was his own.
in the time of his own.
in the own time.
in his own time.
in his own time.
The underlined portion of the sentence is grammatically correct, but very awkwardly worded. It can be both cleaner and more sensible by being simplified. The best, most simplified, answer choice is "in his own time."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Having to have been what is like a chameleon, the spy could take on many different personas.
Having to be like a chameleon
Having to have been what is like a chameleon
To have been having what is like a chameleon
Having to had been like a chameleon
Had been what like a chameleon
Having to be like a chameleon
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely wordy and confusing. The best way to improve the sentence is to simplify the phrase while retaining its original intended meaning. The answer choice that best does this is "Having to be like a chameleon."
Example Question #151 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Professional athletes, having to have their careers ended by the time they are in their thirties, usually struggle when they are forced to retire.
to have their careers ended by in their thirties
having careers ended by thirties
having their careers end in their thirties
having had their careers ending by the time of their thirties
having to have their careers ended by the time they are in their thirties
having their careers end in their thirties
The underlined phrase is extremely long and somewhat confusing, and needs to be simplified a great deal. The repetition and unclear language needs to be done away with while keeping the meaning of the sentence intact. The answer choice that best does all of this is "having their careers end in their thirties."
Example Question #152 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Having been seen as what is the thing to be judged against, the book was read by every student entering the field.
Being seen as the thing to judge against,
Having seen as the thing to be judged against,
Having been seen as what is the thing to be judged against,
Being what is seen as being judged against,
Having being seen as what is the thing to be judged against,
Being seen as the thing to judge against,
The sentence as it is written is overly wordy and confusing, and desperately needs to be simplified. Key to simplification is keeping the meaning of the sentence and clarifying the word choice. The only answer choice that appropriately does both is "Being seen as the thing to judge against," making it the correct answer.
Example Question #153 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The young lieutenant, having seen heavy fighting at previous battles, knew that the task which was ahead of his troops was a difficult one.
The young lieutenant had seen heavy fighting at previous battles, knew that the task ahead of his troops was difficult.
The young lieutenant knew the task ahead of his soldiers was difficult because he had seen heavy fighting at previous battles.
The young lieutenant, having seen heavy fighting at previous battles, knew that the task which was ahead of his troops was a difficult one.
The young lieutenant knowing the task ahead of his soldiers was difficult because he had seen heavy fighting at previous battles.
The young lieutenant having seen heavy fighting at previous battles, knew that the task which was ahead of his troops was a difficult one.
The young lieutenant knew the task ahead of his soldiers was difficult because he had seen heavy fighting at previous battles.
The sentence as it is written is overwrought and complicated, and would be best served by being simplified. The only answer choice that simplifies the sentence, remains grammatically correct, and does not distort the meaning is "The young lieutenant knew the task ahead of his soldiers was difficult because he had seen heavy fighting at previous battles."
Example Question #161 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
River currents become stronger as a river grows wider, danger becoming more likely.
danger more likely.
likelihood of danger being more.
becoming more dangerous.
danger becoming more likely.
danger being more likely.
becoming more dangerous.
The underlined portion of the sentence is a referential phrase that does not clearly fit into the sentence's meaning. The same meaning to the sentence can be given with a more cohesive word choice. "Becoming more dangerous" is the only answer choice that appropriately refers to the preceding part of the sentence and is grammatically correct.
Example Question #162 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
To have been that which once was held precious, the figurines were kept by the young woman through all of her moves.
Being once held precious,
To have been that which once was held precious,
Having been that which once was held precious,
Having once been holding precious,
To have been which was held precious,
Being once held precious,
The underlined phrase is extremely awkward and confusingly worded, and must be simplified. While being simplified, the intended meaning must be kept, and the new form must remain grammatically correct. The only answer choice that appropriately does all of this is "Being once held precious."
Example Question #151 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The school teacher was desperately seeking the student that was the one who had done the damage to the room.
that was the one who had done the damage to the room.
that was the one that had done the damage to the room.
that did the damage to the room.
that was done damage to the room.
that had doing the damage to the room.
that did the damage to the room.
The underlined portion of the sentence has too many words and becomes confusing. The underlined section needs to be simplified, but also has to be grammatically correct and keep the intended meaning of the sentence. "That did the damage to the room" is the choice that best does this among the answers.
Example Question #13 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Having been one of the ones that had received the medal, the athlete quickly became a national hero.
Having been the ones that had received the medal
Having been one to receive the medal
Having received one of the ones of the medal.
Having received the medal
Having been one of the ones that had received the medal
Having received the medal
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely wordy, bordering on confusing. The phrase desperately needs to be simplified in order to make it clearer. The best answer choice that both simplifies and retains the intended meaning is "Having received the medal."
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