PSAT Writing : Correcting Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
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.
Though one must respect the opinions of others, you do not have to change your values to become part of the crowd.
one does not have to change their values to become part of the crowd.
you do not have to change one's values to become part of the crowd.
you do not have to change your values to become part of the crowd.
one does not have to change your values to become part of the crowd.
one does not have to change one's values to become part of the crowd.
one does not have to change one's values to become part of the crowd.
Since the third person pronoun "one" was used to describe the subject in the beginning, the subject must be referred to as "one" throughout the sentence. The correct answer is "one does not have to change one's values and become part of the crowd."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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 real estate lawyer could not recall with who he had his next meeting.
with who he had his next meeting
whom he had his next meeting with
with whom he had had his next meeting
who he had his next meeting with
with whom he had his next meeting
with whom he had his next meeting
“Who” must be changed to “whom” because it is the object of the preposition “with.” Also, it is not desirable to end a sentence with a preposition.
Example Question #71 : 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.
Many facts about astronomy have fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school.
have fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
fascinate my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
has fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
has fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
have fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
have fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
The original text contains a pronoun case error. It says "my brother and I" when it should say "my brother and me." Remember to use objective pronouns—like "me," "him," and "us"—as the objects of verbs (in this case, the verb "fascinated").
Although answer choice "has fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school" correctly uses "me" instead of "I," it incorrectly uses the singular predicate "has fascinated" with the plural subject "facts."
Example Question #72 : 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.
Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school for the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we cannot send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we couldn’t send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
After the preposition "between," one uses the objects pronouns "you" and "me."
Example Question #4 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
Me and the general always took a stroll in the morning.
Me and the general
I and the general
The general, I
The general and I
The general and me
The general and I
The underlined portion is an incorrect usage of "me." A good rule of thumb, and the best way to find the answer, is to see which pronoun is appropriate alone, "me" or "I." "The general and I" is the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
She and him do not dance under any circumstances.
She and he do not
She and him does not
She and him do not
They does not
They do not
They do not
Using "she and him" is always incorrect, as "she" is a subject and "him" is an object. The best way to fix this is to use "they" and its correct verb usage, "do not."
Example Question #6 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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 archdeacon did not adopt Rigoberto out of pure pity or the goodness of his heart; rather, the archdeacon wanted to ensure that him and his brother Juan would be allowed entrance into heaven.
her
he
they
him
one
he
In the phrase "...to ensure that that him and his brother Juan would be allowed...", "him and his brother" are carrying out the action implied in "would be allowed". For this reason, the subject "he" is required, not the object "him".
Example Question #1 : 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.
Early this morning, a purple bicycle was discovered by the old oak tree.
a purple bicycle by the old oak tree was discovered
someone found a purple bicycle near the old oak tree
the old oak tree discovered a purple bicycle
a purple bicycle was discovered by the old oak tree
a purple bicycle was discovered near the old oak tree
someone found a purple bicycle near the old oak tree
The active voice, which requires an agent (a “doer”), is preferred to the passive voice on the SAT exam. Also, the sentence presents a logical problem, as it does not clearly indicate whether the old oak tree discovered the bicycle or someone or something else did.
Example Question #1 : 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.
Scenes from daily life were painted by the French Impressionists, in a break with their predecessors.
The French Impressionists’ scenes from daily life were painted in a break with their predecessors.
The French Impressionists broke from their predecessors who painted scenes from daily life.
Breaking from their predecessors, scenes from daily life were painted by the French Impressionists.
Scenes from daily life were painted by the French Impressionists, in a break with their predecessors.
In a break with their predecessors, the French Impressionists painted scenes from daily life.
In a break with their predecessors, the French Impressionists painted scenes from daily life.
The initial sentence is in passive voice. The correct answer conveys the proper meaning while changing it to active voice.
Example Question #2 : 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.
Very few animals in the world were actually able to domesticate by human beings.
to be domesticated
to domesticating
to be domesticating
to domesticated
to domesticate
to be domesticated
The central problem with the underlined words in the sentence is that the animals seem to be the ones doing the domesticating—at least until the reader gets to the phrase "by human beings," and the sentence becomes confusing. The underlined words need to convey that human beings are the ones doing the domesticating, and that the animals are the objects of that domestication. Since "Very few animals in the world" is the subject of the sentence and cannot be changed here, we need to use the passive voice to describe that domestication is the thing being done to the animals. "To be domesticated" is the correct answer choice, as it is the only answer that correctly uses passive voice and avoids introducing additional errors (like "to be domesticating," which uses present progressive tense unnecessarily and doesn't agree with the previous past-tense verb "were . . . able."
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