PSAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #221 : Correcting 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 intrusion caught the family completely for surprise, barely making a sound in the middle of the night.
at
during
by
for
of
by
The correct idiomatic expression in English is "by surprise;" none of the other prepositions work as well.
Example Question #222 : Correcting 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.
All candidates are required to pay the entry fee irregardless of their financial situations.
irregardless of their financial situation
regardless of their financial situations
irregardless of there financial situations
regardless of their financial situation
irregardless of their financial situations
regardless of their financial situations
Though the term “irregardless” is sometimes heard in colloquial speech, it is not a grammatically correct word. The correct word is “regardless,” which means irrespective or nonetheless. Since we are talking about multiple candidates (plural), it must read “their financial situations.”
Example Question #1 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
Despite the professor’s chidings, the students continued to conversate during the science lecture.
to be conversating during the science lecture
to conversate during the science lecture
conversating during the science lecture
conversing during the science lecture
to converse during the science lecture
to converse during the science lecture
The correct verb is “to converse,” and the noun is “conversation.” “Conversing” is an incorrect gerund use.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
I would of gone to the supermarket had I remembered we need groceries.
I could of gone
I would of gone
I would had gone
I would of went
I would have gone
I would have gone
“Would of” is not a grammatically correct; it should be changed to “would have.”
Example Question #12 : Correcting Other 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.
The snob woman looked down on the slovenly young man, who always dressed in a disheveled manner.
The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looking down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looked down to the slovenly young man
The snob woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looks down on the slovenly young man
The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The use of "snob" as an adjective in this sentence is incorrect, as "snob" is a noun and cannot properly modify "woman." The word needs to be changed to an adjectival form. "The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man" is the only answer choice to appropriately use an adjective.
Example Question #223 : Correcting 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.
Many people adore Indian cuisine because it contains a variety of ingredients, as well as alot of different spices.
while also containing a lot of different spices
while at the same time a lot of different spices
as well as a lot of different spices
while also containing alot of different spices
as well as alot of different spices
as well as a lot of different spices
“A lot” is two separate words. The phrases “while also” and “while at the same time” are unnecessarily redundant.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
I learned a lot from the woman that I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman whom I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman that I talked to.
I would learn a lot from the woman that I had talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman to whom I talked.
I learned a lot from the woman who I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman to whom I talked.
We do not end a sentence with a preposition. Also, we use the pronoun "whom" when a person is the object of the verb. Here, the woman is the object of the verb "talked".
Example Question #221 : Correcting 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.
No matter how hard I concentrated on the question, the solution to it kept alluding me.
the solution to it kept eluding me.
the solution to it kept alluding me.
the solution was keeping allusive.
alluding me was the solution to it.
the solution was kept elusive.
the solution to it kept eluding me.
This question deals with incorrect word choice. The correct word is elude, which means to stay out of reach. Allude means to indirectly refer to something.
Example Question #221 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The jury, despite hours of deliberation, is not able to resolve the issue; in the end, they cannot determine whose responsible for the crime. No error
No error
jury, despite
determine whose
deliberation, is
issue; in the end
determine whose
"Who is" and "who's" is not interchangeable with "whose": here the correct sentence is: "they cannot determine who is (who's) respsonsible ..."
Example Question #4 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic Usage Errors
The two campaigns became certain the election was so close election night would not feature a definite result.
was close
was closely
was so close that
was so close
was too close
was so close that
The key problem with the sentence is that the portion after the underlined part has to be introduced by a pronoun introducing the relative clause "election night would not feature a definite result." "Was so close that" is the only choice among the answers featuring such a word.
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