PSAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #31 : 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 obstacle course was fun for the new recruit, as he enjoyed running, crouching, and to find new paths.
as he enjoyed running, crouching, and finding new paths.
as he had enjoyed running, crouching, and to find new paths.
because he enjoyed running, crouching, and to find new paths.
as he enjoying running, crouching, and to find new paths.
as he enjoyed running, crouching, and to find new paths.
as he enjoyed running, crouching, and finding new paths.
The list that forms the objects of the second independent clause contains objects that have different forms. Any such list needs to feature all three items as similar things that can be compared. The only answer choice with such a parallel structure is "as he enjoyed running, crouching, and finding new paths."
Example Question #61 : Parallel Structure Errors
Under the guidance of the new manager, the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and earning wages.
the salesman saw improvements in his hours worked, deals made, and earning wages.
the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and wages earned.
the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, making deals, and earning wages.
the salesman sees an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and earning wages.
the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and earning wages.
the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and wages earned.
The three items making up the list at the end of the sentence are different kinds of descriptions. Any list needs to have the same types of words among the elements. The only answer choice to feature a correct parallel structure is "the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and wages earned."
Example Question #61 : 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.
Neither professional sports nor acting in film are as lucrative as most people think they are.
Neither playing professional sports nor acting in film
Neither professional sports nor acting in film
Neither professional sports nor acting for film
Either professional sports nor acting in film
Neither professional sports or acting in film
Neither playing professional sports nor acting in film
In any "neither . . . nor" phrase, the two elements mentioned in the phrase must be the same kind of word, but they are not the same kind of word in the above sentence. "Professional sports" is a simple noun, while "acting" is a gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun. "Neither playing professional sports nor acting in film," featuring two gerunds, features a correct parallel structure in the "neither . . . nor" phrase.
Example Question #371 : Improving Sentences
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.
Neither football nor playing tag were allowed at recess under the school's new ruled.
Neither football nor playing tag were allowed at recess
Neither football nor playing tag were allowing at recess
Neither football nor playing tag was allowed at recess
Neither football nor tag were allowed at recess
Neither football nor playing tag were allowed on recess
Neither football nor tag were allowed at recess
The two items in the "Neither . . . nor" phrase describe different things: a noun, "football," and a gerund phrase, "playing tag." Any such phrase needs to have the same kinds of items described in its parts. "Neither football nor tag were allowed at recess" is the only answer choice that features a correct parallel structure.
Example Question #64 : 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 differences between the two groups were quite small, and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and searching for employment.
and mostly having to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and searching for employment.
and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and employment searches.
and mostly had to do with severance pay unemployment benefits and searching for employment.
and mostly has to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and searching for employment.
and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and searching for employment.
and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and employment searches.
The list featured at the end of the sentence contains unlike items, with two nouns ("pay" and "benefits") and a participle verb ("searching"). Any such list needs to have three similar items in order to appropriately complete the phrase in which it is the object. The only answer choice with a correct parallel structure is "and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and employment searches."
Example Question #1281 : Sentence Correction
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 new curriculum sought to expand what was taught in the classroom, developing students' passions for painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
students' passions to painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
students' passions from painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
student's passions for painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
students' passions for painting, acting, and playing a musical instrument.
students' passions for painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
students' passions for painting, acting, and playing a musical instrument.
Any list like the one in the underlined portion of the sentence needs to feature three similar items, which the list in the sentence does not have. The three items need to have a parallel structure so that they can appropriately be linked together. The only answer choice that features a correct parallel structure is "students' passions for painting, acting, and playing a musical instrument."
Example Question #61 : 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 coach always wanted athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach always wants athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach always wanting athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach always wanted athletes with skills and awareness on the field.
The coach always wanted athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach had always wanted athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach always wanted athletes with skills and awareness on the field.
The compound object of the sentence features two unlike elements, "with skills" and "have awareness." The phrase needs to feature a parallel structure with like elements that describe a similar process. The only answer choice with an appropriate parallel structure is "The coach always wanted athletes with skills and awareness on the field."
Example Question #1481 : Gmat Verbal
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.
A good artist does not just have an ability to draw figures, but also excels at shading, coloring, and to frame.
but also excels in shading, coloring, and to frame
but also excels at shading, coloring, and framing
but also excelling at shading, coloring, and to frame
but also excels at shading, coloring, and to frame
but excels at shading, coloring, and to frame
but also excels at shading, coloring, and framing
The list that ends this sentence contains three unlike items, two gerunds ("shading" and "coloring") and an infinitive ("to frame"). Any such list needs to feature a parallel structure, with all items being the same kind of word. The only answer choice that features a correct parallel structure is "but also excels at shading, coloring, and framing."
Example Question #41 : 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 entire process was overseen by a small committee of select members who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls.
who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and to make judgement calls
who were required in reading documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls
who was required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls
who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls
who were requiring to read documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls
who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and to make judgement calls
The list of requirements of the committe contains two infinitive phrases ("to read documents" and "to argue contentious points") and one gerund phrase ("making judgment calls"). Any such list needs every one of its items to be the same kind of item, so they can be properly grouped together. The only answer choice to feature a correct parallel structure is "who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and to make judgement calls."
Example Question #51 : 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.
The car began having problems after a long road trip, after which it had a faulty battery and the brakes were not working.
after which it had the faulty battery and the brakes were not working
after which it had a faulty battery and non-working brakes
after which it having a faulty battery and the brakes were not working
after which it had a faulty battery and the brakes were not working
after that it had a faulty battery and the brakes were not working
after which it had a faulty battery and non-working brakes
The phrase at the end of the sentence has two very different constructions for its objects, one simple description involving an object that is a noun ("it had a faulty battery"), and the other a verbal phrase ("the brakes were not working"). In a dependent clause with two objects, both need to have the same structure. The only answer choice with a correct parallel structure is "after which it had a faulty battery and non-working brakes."
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