PSAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Simple Subject 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.
When does the restaurant closes after dinner?
close
closing
closes
should close
will close
close
Becuase the subject, "restaurant," is singluar, the verb must be be singular as well. The verb and the subject in a sentence must always agree with each other.
Example Question #31 : Correcting Agreement 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.
After watching their home team hit the game-winning home run, the group of hometown fans were ecstatic.
the hometown fans in the group was ecstatic
the group of hometown fans was ecstatic
the group of hometown fans were ecstatic
the group of hometown fans became ecstatic
the group was ecstatic with hometown fans
the group of hometown fans was ecstatic
The term "group" is a singular subject; therefore, the verb must be "was," as opposed to "were."
Example Question #281 : 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.
Due to the elliptical shape of celestial orbits, the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun with the planets vary over time.
the distance of the sun to the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets have varied over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time.
The answer choice "the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time" is correct. It correctly uses a singular verb—"varies"—to match the singular subject, "distance."
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain a subject-verb number agreement error. They use plural verb forms when they should use singular verb forms instead.
Example Question #54 : Subject Verb Agreement 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.
Due to the fact that newspapers and magazines focus on death, corruption, and other negative matters, the majority of the public believes that the media are pessimistic.
the majority of the public believes that the media are pessimistic.
the majority of the public believes that the medias are pessimistic.
the majority of the public believes that the media is pessimistic.
the majority of the public believe that the media are pessimistic.
the majority of the public believe that the media can be pessimistic.
the majority of the public believes that the media are pessimistic.
No error. The subject “the majority” is singular, so the verb must be “believes.” "The media" is plural because it refers to various sources, so the verb should be “are.”
Example Question #57 : Agreement Errors
No one question the desire to succeed among most students in a competitive school environment.
No one question
Nobody question
No questions
No one questions
No question
No one questions
The underlined part of the sentence contains a flaw in subject verb agreement. "No one" is properly used as a singular form. Therefore, "no one questions" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #81 : 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.
A hundred miles west of Scotland lie a multitude of interconnected lakes rich in mining exports.
lie a multitude
lies a multitude
there have been a multitude
are a multitude
there are a multitude
lies a multitude
Since "multitude" is a singular subject, its verb must be singular as well. The only answer choice that contains a singular verb is "lies"; the rest incorrectly contain plural verbs.
Example Question #52 : Simple Subject 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.
Though most people are unaware of it, there is over a hundred varieties of coffee which grow throughout the world.
there is over a hundred varieties of coffees that grow throughout the world.
there is over a hundred varieties of coffee which grow throughout the world.
there are over a hundred varieties of coffee which grow throughout the world.
there is over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
there are over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
there are over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
"There are” is correct because it indicates the existence of more than one thing (e.g., varieties). “Which” is incorrect because it does not follow a comma, nor does it refer to a complement/predicate.
Example Question #32 : Correcting Agreement 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 members of the group was frequently at odds with their rivals over petty differences.
the group was frequently at odds
the group was at odds frequently
the group were frequently at odds
the group was frequently in odds
the group was frequent at odds
the group were frequently at odds
The use of the singular verb "was" is incorrect with the plural subject "members." Even though the verb is next to the singular group, the verb needs to match the subject. Thus the correct answer choice is "the group were frequently at odds," which is the only choice with the appropriate verb tense.
Example Question #33 : Correcting Agreement 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.
Both Mark and his friend Josh is a type of person called introverts.
is one type
are a type
is a type
is a types
are a types
are a type
The subject of the sentence, "Mark and his friend Josh," is plural. Therefore, the sentence must use a verb that agrees with a plural subject. So, "are" needs to be used instead of "is." In choosing between "are a type" and "are a types," the phrase "a types" is grammatically incorrect because "a" is an indefinite article used with singular nouns, and "types" is a plural noun. Plus, you can see that the sentence is discussing one type of person "called introverts"—there is no discussion provided of any other type of person, so using the plural "types" would not make sense in the sentence's context. So, "are a type" is the correct answer.
Example Question #61 : Simple Subject 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.
Despite positive reviews from movie critics, the quality of the young director’s recent films are rather questionable.
the quality of the young director’s recent films are rather questionable.
the quality of the young Director’s recent films are rather questionable.
the quality of the young director’s recent films is rather questionable.
the quality of the young Director’s recent films is rather questionable.
the quality of the young directors recent films is rather questionable.
the quality of the young director’s recent films is rather questionable.
An apostrophe is necessary to show possession, but the word “director” doesn’t need to be capitalized unless it is the official title or nickname of the person. Since “the quality” is singular, the sentence must read, "Despite positive reviews from movie critics, the quality of the young director’s recent films is rather questionable."
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