PSAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #371 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The most shocking element of the film was its frank depiction of Medieval Europe violence.
the violence that is taking place in Medieval Europe.
Medieval Europe violence.
the violence taking place for Medieval Europe.
the violence that took place in Medieval Europe.
the violence which took part in Medieval Europe.
the violence that took place in Medieval Europe.
The underlined portion of the sentence is oddly worded and unwieldy. The sentence can be greatly improved by simplifying the word choice and making the meaning more clear. The best answer choice is "the violence that took place in Medieval Europe."
Example Question #371 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Having been that which was the one that lost, the driver congratulated his opponent.
Having been that which was the one that lost,
Having lost,
Having been one that lost,
Being that which was the one that lost,
Having been that which was that lost,
Having lost,
The underlined phrase is extremely wordy and overly confusing in its structure. The phrase needs to be simplified while keeping its intended meaning and being grammatically correct. "Having lost," is the only answer choice that does this.
Example Question #211 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Unlike that which was considered true in the ideas of the past, the new theory revolutionized scientific thinking.
Unlike that which was considered truth in ideas of the past,
Unlike ideas considered to be true in the past,
Unlike that which considered true in the ideas of the past,
Unlike that which was considered true in the ideas of the past,
Unlike that which was considering true in the ideas of the past,
Unlike ideas considered to be true in the past,
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely wordy and needs to be simplified. The simplified version of the sentence, though, needs to keep the same meaning of the original sentence and be grammatically correct. The only answer choice that does this is "Unlike ideas considered to be true in the past."
Example Question #371 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Having been seen to be a figure like a prophet, his writings were well preserved by his followers.
Being seen like prophet figure
Having seen a figure like a prophet
Being seen as a prophet-like figure
Having been seen as a prophet-like
Having been seen to be a figure like a prophet
Being seen as a prophet-like figure
The underlined portion of the sentence is awkwardly worded and confusing. Rge entire phrase needs to be cleaned up and simplified. "Being seen as a prophet-like figure" is the answer choice that best simplifies the wording without changing its meaning.
Example Question #371 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Under condition of anonymity, the informant gave the testimony against the people that were once his former employers.
against the people that were once his former employers.
against people that once were former employers.
against the people that were his once former employers.
against his former employers.
against the people that once were his former employers.
against his former employers.
The underlined portion of the sentence is oddly constructed and poorly worded, although there are no grammatical problems. This portion of the sentence needs to be simplified. "Against his former employees" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #223 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Rarely does a teacher want to publicly humiliate a student in front of students making the rest of the class.
in front of students making up for the rest of the class.
in front of the rest of the students in the class.
in front the students make the class for the rest.
in front of students making the rest of the class.
in front of the students making the rest of the class.
in front of the rest of the students in the class.
The sentence as written is poorly worded, and slightly confusing because of it. The underlined portion in particular can be cleaned up to mean the same thing as it does in the sentence already. The best answer choice, therefore, is "in fornt of the rest of the students in the class."
Example Question #371 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
To make the groups all undertake to get equal funding, the accountant had to perform careful calculations and negotiations.
So the groups all undertake to get equal funding
To make the groups all undertake equal funding
To make the groups all undertake to get equal funding
So that the groups would all seek equal funding
To make groups undertake equal funding
So that the groups would all seek equal funding
The underlined portion of the sentence is overly wordy and confusing, with a passive construction and two verbs, "make" and "undertake," being at odds with each other. This phrase needs to be greatly simplified to be improved. "So that the groups would all seek equal funding," is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #371 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Politicians and their aides are so often stuck in their own bubble not aware of the concerns of their constituents.
unaware of the concerns of there constituents.
that they are unaware of their constituents' concerns.
that they are unaware of their constituents concerns.
not aware of the concerns of their constituents.
unaware their constituents' concerns.
that they are unaware of their constituents' concerns.
The underlined portion of the sentence is both awkwardly worded and is oddly connected to the rest of the sentence. The phrase can be improved by simplifying the word order and connecting it more definitely to the rest of the sentence; therefore, the correct answer choice is "that they are unaware of their constituents' concerns."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Modifier Placement 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.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
In a matter of minutes, me walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
Walking briskly, the entrance to the park was found in a matter of minutes.
Walking briskly, I, in a matter of minutes, the entrance to the park was found.
The park entrance, walking briskly, in a matter of minutes was found by me.
Walking briskly, I found the entrance to the park in a matter of minutes.
In this sentence, the modifying phrase "walking briskly" correctly modifies the subject of the sentence, "I." The modifier in this sentence is clear, and there are no other errors, so the sentence is correct as written. The sentence correctly chooses the use of active voice, as opposed to passive voice, which would be awkward in this situation.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Modifier Placement 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.
Happily singing, the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
The cows, overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands, which were happily singing.
A team of carefree ranch hands happily, who were overseeing the cows, were singing.
Happily singing, a team of carefree ranch hands oversaw the cows.
Happily singing; the cows were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
The cows, happily singing, were overseen by a team of carefree ranch hands.
Happily singing, a team of carefree ranch hands oversaw the cows.
The modifying phrase "happily singing" logically refers to the team of carefree ranch hands (cows, as a species, are not known for their musicality), but as the sentence is originally written that phrase modifies "cows." In order to fix the error, the sentence can be phrased in an active voice, making the subject of the sentence the team of ranch hands, which is both the more melodious and grammatically correct option.
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