PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #82 : 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 puppies reacting to their mother for the first time soon after their birth.

Possible Answers:

reacted to their mother for the first time

reacting to their mother in the first time

reacting to their mother for a first time

reacting to there mother for the first time

reacting to their mother for the first time

Correct answer:

reacted to their mother for the first time

Explanation:

The use of the participle "reacting" makes the sentence actually have no proper verb, as a participle needs to be preceded by a form of the verb "to be." Either the verb form needs to be changed, or some version of the verb "to be" needs to be added into the sentence to make the sentence have a usable verb. The only answer choice that addresses this problem, by changing the participle to a past tense verb, is "reacted to their mother for the first time."

Example Question #83 : 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 grandmother baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.

Possible Answers:

The grandmother was baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.

The grandmother baking pies, in the kitchen, when everybody arrived.

The grandmother baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arriving.

The grandmother baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.

The grandmother, baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.

Correct answer:

The grandmother was baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.

Explanation:

The use of the participle "baking" in the sentence means the sentence does not contain an actual verb. A participle needs to be preceded by some version of the verb "to be" in order to be a complete verbal phrase and act as a verb in a sentence. The only answer choice that makes such a change is "The grandmother was baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived."

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.

Possible Answers:

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.

Correct answer:

The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself.

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

advocating of candidates.

candidates advocate.

candidates advocating.

candidates advocate of issues.

candidates advocating them.

Correct answer:

candidates advocate.

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

have arriving

having been arrived

arriving

having been arriving

had arrived

Correct answer:

had arrived

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

make their opponents uneasy.

to make their opponents uneasy.

make opponents of theirs uneasy.

making their opponents uneasy.

making opponents of theirs uneasy.

Correct answer:

to make their opponents uneasy.

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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.

Correct answer:

to learn as an adult.

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

new members entering

new members entered

new members enters

new members enter

new member entering

Correct answer:

new members entered

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

having trouble focus

having troubles focused

had trouble focusing

have trouble focusing

having trouble focusing

Correct answer:

have trouble focusing

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

was heavy reliant

was heavy reliance

was heavily relianced

was heavily reliance

was heavily reliant

Correct answer:

was heavily reliant

Explanation:

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."

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