PSAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #152 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
That topic being one of the ones which had been discussed, the entire group thought about it all weekend.
That topic being one of the ones which had been discussed
That topic being one which had been discussed
Being one topic that was discussed
Being a topic that was one having been discussed
That topic being one of the ones which having been discussed
Being one topic that was discussed
The underlined phrase is extremely wordy and confusingly complex, and needs to be greatly simplified. While it should be simplified, it also needs to retain the sentence's intended meaning and be grammatically correct. The answer choice that best does both of these tasks is "Being one topic that was discussed."
Example Question #171 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Everyone was shocked to see that the crowd's favorite horse in the race was the least fast out of all of the horses.
was the least fast one.
was the slowest one.
were the slowest one.
was the slowest out of all of the horses.
was the slowest one of everyone.
was the slowest one.
The best way to say something like "least fast" is to simply say "slowest." It is more concise and more direct, and so although "least fast" may be gramatically correct, it is not the most effective form. "Out of all of the horses" is also unnecessarily wordy and can be shortened to be more effective at getting the point across.
Example Question #153 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Having been the one that had been the one that negotiated the treaty, the diplomat was highly familiar with the details of the agreement.
Having been the one that had been the one that negotiated the treaty
Having been one that had negotiated the treaty
Having negotiated the treaty
Having been the one that negotiated the treaty
Having had been the one that negotiated the treaty
Having negotiated the treaty
The underlined portion is extremely awkward, confusing, and repetitive, so it needs to be simplified. Not only should the repetition be done away with, but the phrase that is repeated. "been the one that," is unnecessary. The answer choice that best simplifies the sentence is "Having negotiated the treaty."
Example Question #154 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The day's events made many people question the things with which they had previously held quite dear.
the things which they had previously held quite dear.
the things they previously held quite dear.
the things they having had previously held quite dear.
the things with they previously held quite dear.
the things with which they had previously held quite dear.
the things they previously held quite dear.
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely overwrought and fairly unclear. Specifically, "had" and "held" make two verbs in the dependent clause, and a sense of repetition permeates the phrase. The best simplification that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "the things they previously held quite dear."
Example Question #172 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
That which was the element that had been debated in the session was set aside for further discussion during the next session.
Element debated in session
The element which being debated
The element debated in the session
That element that had been debates in the session
That which was the element that had been debated in the session
The element debated in the session
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely wordy and overwrought, and needs to be greatly simplified. The simplification should not change the sentence's intended meaning or introduce any grammatical errors. "The element debated in the session" is the answer choice that does this best.
Example Question #156 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Until the issue which has been discussed previously is resolved, no one may leave the room.
Until the issue which has been discussed previously is resolving,
Until the previously discussed issue is resolved,
Until the previous issue which has been discussed is being resolved,
Until the issue which has been discussed previously is resolved,
Until the issue which is being discussed previously is resolved,
Until the previously discussed issue is resolved,
The underlined phrase is strangely written, with an uneccessary use of the passive voice and some overwrought phrasing. The sentence can be improved by rewording and simplifying the phrase, but any simplification needs to keep the sentence's meaning intact. "Until the previously discussed issue is resolved," is the answer choice that best simplifies the sentence.
Example Question #173 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Being that which had been the one that had made the mistake, the oldest child was brought to task for it.
Having made the mistake,
Being that which had been the one that had made the mistake,
Having been the one that had made the mistake,
Being one that made the mistake,
Being the one that had made the mistake,
Having made the mistake,
The underlined portion of the sentence is much too complicated and confusing, and needs to be simplified. Almost all of the confusing and redundant phrases can be taken out of the underlined portion while keeping the meaning of the sentence intact, leaving "Having made the mistake," as the best answer choice.
Example Question #174 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Having been that which was questioned by everyone who was in attendance, the song was taken out of the show after previews.
Being that which was questioned by everyone in attendance,
Having been that questioned by everyone in attendance,
Being questioned by everyone who was in attendance,
Having been questioned by everyone in attendance,
Having which questioned by everyone who was in attendance,
Having been questioned by everyone in attendance,
The underlined portion of the sentence is wordy and needs to be simplified. The sentence also needs to retain its intended meaning and be grammatically correct after being simplified. "Having been questioned by everyone in attendance," is the only answer choice that appropriately achieves all of this.
Example Question #21 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Having been suffering from pain and indignity for that which was a long time, the woman avoided discussing the past.
Having been suffering from pain and indignity for that which was a long time,
Having been suffering from pain and indignity that was a long time,
Suffering from pain and indignity for that which was a long time,
Suffering from pain and indignity for which is a long time,
Having been suffering from pain and indignity for a long time,
Having been suffering from pain and indignity for a long time,
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely overwrought and confusingly long. The sentence needs to be simplified while retaining the same meaning and remaining grammatically correct. "Having been suffering from pain and indignity for a long time," is the answer choice which best achieves both goals.
Example Question #175 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Having been that which was the thing that everyone wanted, the toy flew off the shelves.
Being what everyone wanted,
Having been that was everyone wanted,
Having been that which everyone wanted,
Having been that which was the thing that everyone wanted,
Being the thing that which everyone wanted,
Being what everyone wanted,
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely wordy and needs to be simplified. When it is being simplified, though, the original intended meaning of the sentence must be preserved, and the correct answer choice must also be grammatically correct. Thus, "Being what everyone wanted" is the best answer choice.
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