PSAT Writing : Correcting Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Question #91 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Many drug consumers feel that generic medicine can be as effective as, if not more effective, as some of the brand names.
as effective, if not more effective, than some brand names.
as effective medicine, if not more effective, than some of the brand names.
as effective medicine, if not more effective, as some of the brand names.
as effective as, if not more effective than, some of the brand names.
as effective, if not more effective, as some of the brand names.
as effective as, if not more effective than, some of the brand names.
The term, if not more effective, is an interrupter; therefore, the sentence should read correctly if those words are removed.
Example Question #1511 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The people traveling to California in the gold rush typically did not find success in prospecting, mining, or even to make a new life.
in prospecting, mining, or even making a new life.
in prospecting, mining, or even to make a new life.
in prospecting, mine work, or even to make a new life.
in prospected, mining, or even to make a new life.
in prospecting, mining, or even in make a new life.
in prospecting, mining, or even making a new life.
The three elements of the list that ends the sentence are actually three different kinds of words: "prospecting" and "mining" are present-tense progressive verbs, but "to make a new life" is an infinitve phrase. Any such list needs to feature a parallel structure among the three items, so that the verb of the sentence can describe similar items. The answer choice that features an appropriate parallel structure is "in prospecting, mining, or even making a new life."
Example Question #401 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The two party system that dominates our government today is responsible for the polarization of the country and suppressing alternative viewpoints.
the polarization of the country and suppressing alternative viewpoints.
polarizing the country and suppressing alternative viewpoints.
polarizing the country and the suppression of alternative viewpoints.
polarizing the country and alternative viewpoint suppression.
the country’s polarization and suppressing alternative viewpoints.
polarizing the country and suppressing alternative viewpoints.
The problem with this sentence is that it does not use parallel structure. The two things that the system is responsible for should be formatted in the same way: either both should be nouns or both should be "-ing" verbs. Every answer choice mixes up the format of one or the other element, but the correct answer is the only one that formats them in the same way.
Example Question #81 : 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.
Due to recent droughts, the price of soybeans is currently greater than corn.
is currently greater than corn
has currently been greater than corn
are currently greater than corn
has been currently greater than the price of corn
is currently greater than the price of corn
is currently greater than the price of corn
The original text contains a faulty comparison. It compares the price of soybeans to corn itself, rather than comparing the price of soybeans to the price of corn.
Only answer choices "is currently greater than the price of corn" and "has been currently greater than the price of corn" draw the comparison correctly, but answer chioice "has been currently greater than the price of corn" contains a tense error. Since the sentence includes the word "currently," we know we should use present tense. Therefore, answer choice "is currently greater than the price of corn" is correct.
Example Question #71 : 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.
Just before she was required to give her speech, the young girl froze, turned pale, and she couldn’t say the words.
the young girl froze, turned pale, and she couldn’t say the words.
the young girl froze, she turned pale, and she couldn't say the words.
the young girl froze, turned pale, and couldn’t say the words.
the young girl froze, turned pale, and then she couldn’t say the words.
the young girl froze, and turning pale, she couldn’t say the words.
the young girl froze, turned pale, and couldn’t say the words.
The sentence must have proper parallel structure, which means that all of the items listed must be the same type of word. The first two words in the list are verbs ("froze" and "turned pale"), so the last item in the list should also begin with a verb. So, the pronoun "she" should be removed so that "couldn't say," a past tense verb, matches the other items in the list. The simplest and most concise wording is correct.
Example Question #81 : 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.
Hunters need an innate sense both of where their target has been and where it has gone.
and where it has gone.
and where it has been going.
and where it has gone before.
and where it is going.
and where going it has been.
and where it is going.
The use of "both...and" in the sentence indicates that the two verb forms are actually contrasted in the sentence and should not be parallel. Therefore, the verb in the underlined portion should indicate either what is taking place now or will take place in the future. "And where it is going," is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1942 : Act English
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 woman was an active girl who liked playing with toys and to run in parks.
to play with toys and running in parks.
playing with toys and to run in parks.
to play with toys and to run in parks.
playing with toys, running in parks.
to playing with toys and to running in parks.
to play with toys and to run in parks.
The pairing of the two phrases indicate that they need to have a parrallel tense for each verb. Only two answer choices, "to play with toys and to run in parks," and "playing with toys, running in parks," are parrallel, and "playing with toys, running in parks," should be separated by a conjunction.
Example Question #71 : 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.
According to state regulations, all first aid kits should contain bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and an ointment.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and an ointment.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and ointments.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and also a bottle of ointment.
some bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and an ointment.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and a ointment.
bandages, alcohol swabs, pain relievers, and ointments.
The rule of parallel structure tells us that the sentence should be consistent in its pattern. Because the sentence refers to “all first aid kits,” all of the nouns—"bandages," "alcohol swabs," "pain relievers," and "an ointment"—should be plural. "An ointment" is the only noun in the list that isn't plural, so replacing it with "ointments" fixes the sentences error.
Example Question #72 : 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.
My mother begins each day by drinking coffee, watching the news, and plans the rest of her day.
watches the news, and planning the rest of her day.
watching the news, and planning the rest of her day.
watched the news, and planned the rest of her day.
watches the news, and plans the rest of her day.
watching the news, and plans the rest of her day.
watching the news, and planning the rest of her day.
The tense of all verbs must be parallel, and since the given verb “drinking” is a present participle, the only appropriate options are “watching” and “planning.”
You can therefore eliminate options in which "watch" and "plan" don't agree with each other, as well as options in which those verbs don't agree with "drinking." You are left only with "My mother begins each day by drinking coffee, watching the news, and planning the rest of her day," which is the correct answer.
Example Question #1516 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to those of other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to the other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to other Impressionist painters, one would grasp the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
If one compares the works of Edgar Degas to other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
When one compares the works of Edgar Degas to those of other Impressionist painters, one grasps the uniqueness of his brushstrokes.
One cannot compare “works” to “painters.” One must compare the works of Degas to those of other painters.
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