PSAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #84 : Correcting Verb 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 group's biggest concerns centering on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centering around the political process itself.
The groups biggest concerns centering on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centering on the political process its own self.
The group's biggest concerns centering on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself.
The use of the participle "centering" as the verb in this sentence actually makes the sentence not have a verb, as a participle needs to be preceded by some form of the verb "to be" in order to function as a verb. The only answer choice that takes care of this problem, by changing the participle to a past tense verb, is "The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself."
Example Question #621 : Usage 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Lots of voters pay little attention to the actual issues candidates advocating.
advocating of candidates.
candidates advocate.
candidates advocating.
candidates advocate of issues.
candidates advocating them.
candidates advocate.
The underlined portion needs to be improved by straightening out the verb "advocating." The verb tense in the final word needs to match with the use of "pay little attention" at the beginning of the sentence, which is in the present tense. "Candidates advocate" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #851 : Psat Writing Skills
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.
Quite apart from the transportation issues, many consumers could not afford the cars once they having been arrived at the dealerships.
have arriving
having been arrived
arriving
having been arriving
had arrived
had arrived
The underlined portion of the sentence features an overwrought complex verb which also features an inappropriate verb usage. The use of "once" indicates the cars arrived in the past, so a past tense needs to be used. "Had arrived" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #161 : Correcting Word Usage 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 allied movements are designed making their opponents uneasy.
make their opponents uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
make opponents of theirs uneasy.
making their opponents uneasy.
making opponents of theirs uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
The issue in the sentence is with the verb "making." It is used not as the verb, but as a modifier of "designed;" therefore, it needs to take a form that can appropriately do so, such as an infinitive. "To make their opponents uneasy," is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #86 : Correcting Verb 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 guitar is an extremely difficult instrument learning as an adult.
to learn as an adult.
to learn in an adult.
learned for an adult.
learning as an adult.
learning that took place as an adult.
to learn as an adult.
The use of the verb "learning" is incorrect in the sentence. The correct answer needs to feature an infinitive as the sentence describes a capacity of learning. "To learn as an adult" is the only grammatically correct answer choice.
Example Question #181 : Correcting Verb Errors
Since the foundation of the club, new members entering all the time.
new members entering
new members entered
new members enters
new members enter
new member entering
new members entered
The use of the phrase "Since the foundation of the club," indicates that the verb used in the underlined portion should be in the past tense. Additionally, the phrase needs to become a complete sentence on its own. "New members entered" is the only answer choice that fits both criteria.
Example Question #2143 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Magicians use the fact people having trouble focusing on multiple things at once to fool their audiences.
having trouble focus
having troubles focused
had trouble focusing
have trouble focusing
having trouble focusing
have trouble focusing
The underlined words are a compound verb, or multiple words that function as one verb in the sentence. These still need to follow a correct tense and form, which is not done with just "having" being placed after people. "Have trouble focusing" is the best way to improve the sentences among the answer choices.
Example Question #181 : Correcting Verb Errors
The young family was heavily reliance on the kindness of strangers.
was heavy reliant
was heavy reliance
was heavily relianced
was heavily reliance
was heavily reliant
was heavily reliant
The word "reliance" is inappropriate in the context of this sentence as it indicates the relationship of relying. "Reliant," in contrast, Connors the state of being; therefore, the correct answer choice is "was heavily reliant."
Example Question #51 : Correcting Other Verb Errors
Rita began work on the project last year, but she has yet to reach completion.
she has yet to reach completion.
it has yet to reach completion.
she is still yet to be completed.
it is not at completion yet.
she has yet to complete it.
she has yet to complete it.
The original sentence is wordy and awkward. The correct answer is concise, active, and clear.
Example Question #892 : Word Usage Errors
Being that he passed the driver’s test, Timothy was looking forward to getting his license.
If he had passed
Having passed
For passing
Passing
Being that he passed
Having passed
Sentences rarely start with “being.” Furthermore, "having passed" conveys the timing and cause of events with more precision.
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