PSAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
Because the giant squid is an elusive creature rarely seen by humans, scientists are beginning to gain a better understanding of the creature by studying it using remote cameras.
As
Because
Considering
Although
Since
Although
The sentence is trying to explain that in spite of the giant squid's elusiveness, scientists are finding new ways of studying it. The sentence therefore is trying to contrast two ideas, as opposed to showing causation with the word "because." The only answer choice that uses a contrasting conjunction is "Although," so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Correcting Subordinating Conjunction 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Prisons are a relatively recent phenomenon in world history, because exorbitant costs.
exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs of prisons.
because they have exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant cost.
because they have exorbitant costs.
The underlined phrase, a separate clause further explaining the first half of the sentence, does not work as a complet sentence. In order to appropriately fit after "because," the phrase needs to be turned into a complete thought. "Because they had exorbitant costs" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
Some prescription drugs can produce dangerous interactions when combined with other chemicals, and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
although you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always be telling your physician about any medications you take at home.
but you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
This sentence contains an error in its logic of cause and effect. The first part of the sentence is the reason for the advice offered in the second part. So, you should change "and" to a word that demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship. Do not add a contrast word like "but" or "although" unless the sentence includes some sort of contradiction or opposition.
Example Question #1 : 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.
Portraits painted during the Renaissance reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than the Middle Ages.
reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than those painted during the Middle Ages
reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than the Middle Ages
reveals a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than the Middle Ages
reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than did the Middle Ages
has revealed a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than the Middle Ages
reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than those painted during the Middle Ages
The original text contains a faulty compaison. It compares portraits painted during the Renaissance to the time period of the Middle Ages. Instead, portraits should be compared to other portraits. The only answer choice that correcly makes this comparison is "reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than those painted during the Middle Ages."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.
Every morning, the celebrated composer liked to make a pot of tea, sit down by the window, and began work on his symphony.
window, and begin work on his symphony
window; he began work on his symphony
window, and beginning to work on his symphony
window, to begin work on his symphony
window, and began work on his symphony.
window, and begin work on his symphony
The original sentence does not follow employ parallel structure within the list of things that the composer does every morning. To make it consistent, each verb should be an infinitive ("to make . . . sit . . . begin"). None of the other answers fit into that pattern.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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 lightweight champion boxer may not have the brute strength of heavyweight fighters, but he makes up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters, but he makes up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters, and he makes up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters, but he makes up for it with ferocity and quickness.
fighters, but they make up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters; but he makes up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters, but he makes up for it with ferocity and quickness.
This sentence contains an error in parallelism. The listed attributes "ferocity" and "being quick" should be phrased the same way. Changing "being quick" to "quickness" fixes this.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.
Behaviors typical of early infancy include exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior.
exchanging facial expressions to caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing toward visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and imitating adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions to caregivers, focusing with visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and imitating adult behavior
The underlined portion contains a list, the first two items of which end in "-ing." To maintain the parallel structure of the list, the third item should also end in "-ing." Only answer choice "exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and imitating adult behavior" represents the correct use of parallelism.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
The vineyards of Napa Valley are at once breathlessly vibrant, symmetrical, and the green is profound.
and profoundly green.
and the green is profound.
and its green is quite profound.
and it is profoundly green.
and so profound green.
and profoundly green.
This sentence requires parallelism across all elements. Only "profoundly green" matches "breathlessly vibrant" and "symmetrical."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
The kids took too much time cleaning their rooms, left little time to do outdoor chores.
leaving little time to doing outdoor chores.
left few times to do outdoor chores.
leaving little time to do outdoor chores.
left little time to had done outdoor chores.
left little time to do outdoor chores.
leaving little time to do outdoor chores.
The underlined phrase in the sentence, being the second part of a complex sentence, needs to have a parallel structure to the phrase in the first half of the sentence; therefore, "leaving little time to do outdoor chores," is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
When choosing a sport, youths are encouraged to consider its difficulty, its required skills, its necessary equipment, and its overall cost.
if it costs money.
the cost of it.
the money needed for it.
how much it costs overall.
its overall cost.
its overall cost.
In this question, only the original sentence shows parallelism. Any choice other than "its overall cost" would not exhibit parallel structure with the sentence's other elements.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All PSAT Writing Resources
