PSAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #2404 : 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 issue was brought to myself as soon as he was aware of the problem.
The issue was brought on myself
The issue brought to myself
The issue was bringing to myself
The issue was brought to me
The issue was brought to myself
The issue was brought to me
The use of the reflexive pronoun "myself" is incorrect when it has no previous first person pronoun to refer to. "Myself" must be replaced by the simple first person objective pronoun "me." As the only answer choice to make this change, "The issue was brought to me" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2405 : 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 boys all arrived together to make sure they had a numerical advantage on they're side.
on they're side.
on there side.
on their side.
in they're side.
unto there side.
on their side.
The key grammatical issue in the sentence is that two homonyms are confused, creating a mispelling in "they're." "They're" is actually the contraction for "they are," while the sentence needs the third person plural possesive form. "On their side" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #75 : 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 teacher had to repeat many questions to her students, which were very sleepy that day.
they
who
which
what
that
who
Because the word being chosen is referring to a group of people ("students"), you need to use "who."
Example Question #2411 : 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 ability to distinguish faces is one that certain people lack, but itself is a skill that can be developed.
but itself is skillful
but itself are skills
but it is a skill
but its is a skill
but itself is a skill
but it is a skill
The use of "itself" in the sentence is incorrect. "Itself" is a referential pronoun, and as the word is used as the subject in a complete though, there is nothing to refer to therefore, the correct answer is "bit it is a skill."
Example Question #72 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
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 you are done with your work, please show it to myself.
me.
myself.
I.
we.
itself.
me.
The sentence presented uses a reflexive pronoun, "myself," that does not refer back to anything previously mentioned. The proper form would be the standard pronoun "me," which is the correct answer.
Example Question #61 : 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.
While limiting artificial sugars is a wise thing to do, dietitians warn that one must also monitor your intake of salt, carbohydrates, and saturated fat.
must also monitor their intake of salt, carbohydrates, and saturated fat.
must also monitor your intake of salt, carbohydrates, and saturated fat.
must also monitor one's intake of salt, carbohydrates, and saturated fat.
must monitor one’s intake of salt, carbohydrates, and also saturated fat.
must also monitor of one’s intake of salt, carbohydrates, and saturated fat.
must also monitor one's intake of salt, carbohydrates, and saturated fat.
“One" is being used as a third person singular pronoun in this sentence, so instead of "your," "one's" should be used later in the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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.
If one wishes to understand a musical composition fully, we must consider the time period in which it was written.
we must consider the time period in which it was written.
one must consider the time period in which it was written.
we must consider the time period corresponding to when it was written.
we must have considered the time period in which it was written.
we will have to consider the time period in which it was written.
one must consider the time period in which it was written.
The answer choice "one must consider the time period in which it was written" is correct because it contains the word "one," which matches the word "one" used in the first clause of the sentence.
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain the pronoun "we," and therefore lead to pronoun agreement errors.
Example Question #62 : 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.
If one is to construct a comprehensive model of the global economy, we must first account for alternating periods of expansion and contraction in the business cycle.
we must account firstly for
one had first accounted for
we must first account for
one must first account for
one must first account to
one must first account for
The original text contains a pronoun consistency error. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the pronoun "we," but the sentence uses "one" before that. In order to maintain consistency, the underlined portion should use "one" rather than "we."
The answer choice "one had first accounted for" contains a tense error, even though it correctly uses "one" instead of "we."
The answer choice "one must first account to" is incorrect because the correct idiom is "account for."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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.
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or does one only have a responsibility to help themselves?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Do ones have a responsibility to help others, or do ones only have a responsibility to help his or herself?
Does one have a responsibility to the helping of the others, or does one only have a responsibility to the helping of yourself?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
In the sentence as it is written, "one" and "you" are both used. You should stick to using one of these pronouns or the other, and not switch between them in a sentence.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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.
When you go to a buffet, one should make sure that you do not overeat.
then make sure
one should make sure
and make sure
make sure
be sure of
make sure
The sentence begins by using the pronoun "you," but then switches to using the pronoun "one." These should be kept consistent.
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