PSAT Writing : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1352 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
By the end of the night, Derrick could tell that all the guests were full, happy and tired; the party had truly been a success. No error
been
tired; the
happy and
night, Derrick
No error
happy and
Since the list "full, happy, and tired" has more than 2 items, each item before the last item must be separated using a comma. Inserting a comma after "happy" will make this sentence correct, so the underlined phrase "happy and" must be changed. Note that a semicolon is correctly used to separate two independent clauses from one another in this sentence.
Example Question #1353 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Yolanda, Sam are going to college in the fall, and they are nervous about living away from home. No error
No error
Yolanda, Sam
about living
are
fall, and
Yolanda, Sam
Since the names Yolanda and Sam are the only items in the list, they do not need to be separated by a comma. We use the conjunction "and" to combine items in a two-item list, so "Yolanda, Sam" should be changed to "Yolanda and Sam." If Yolanda and Sam had a third friend, named, say, Suzannah, then commas would be needed to separate each name in the list.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Finally the teacher returned our papers, and despite our initial worries, we discovered all of us had received passing marks. No error
Finally the teacher
Despite
No error
worries, we
all of us
Finally the teacher
Here, "finally" is considered an introductory word, so it must be followed by a comma: "Finally, the teacher . . ."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you decide to go to the beach make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin! No error
to the beach make sure
If you decide
No error
to wear
to protect your skin!
to the beach make sure
The phrase "If you decide to go to the beach" is an introductory phrase, and all introductory phrases need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. So, after being corrected, the sentence would read, "If you decide to go to the beach, make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin!"
Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Daisy and her sister, Margot, shared a large family but a special relationship; even among their numerous older and younger sisters, Margot, and Daisy had a special bond. No error
among
relationship; even
No error
sisters, Margot, and
her sister, Margot,
sisters, Margot, and
Because the sentence states that Margot is not Daisy's only sister, the commas and which frame her name in "their numerous older and younger sisters, Margot, and Daisy" are incorrect. The comma that sets apart Margot's name at the beginning of the sentence ("Daisy and her sister, Margot, shared") is correctly used, because here, Margot is being specified as Daisy's sister in an appositive phrase that renames "her sister" as "Margot."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite disinterest in school elections, the majority of the students voted Shindra the treasurer, president of the student government. No error
elections, the
No error
Shindra the treasurer,
student government
Despite disinterest
Shindra the treasurer,
"The treasurer" here is an appositive: it renames or restates Shindra in different words, and it should be surrounded with commas. The correct sentence should be: "the students voted Shindra, the treasurer, president . . ."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Istanbul, despite being an old city has recently been the site of major commercial developments hoping to bring international business to the country. No error
Instanbul, despite
developments hoping
to bring international business
No error
despite being an old city
despite being an old city
Here "despite being an old city" needs to be separated by the main clause by two commas, not just one.
Example Question #5 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
At the insistence of the manager, the entire team dropped the project immediately; the project leader however, continued her work without interruption. No error
manager, the entire team
without interruption
leader however,
At the insistence
immediately; the
leader however,
The word "however" here is considered a non-essential phrase: it can be removed, leaving a complete sentence. So it must be surrounded with commas: "The project leader, however, continued . . ."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Perdita the lost princess, was found and raised by a shepherd. No error
Perdita the lost princess,
found and raised
No error
was
by a shepherd.
Perdita the lost princess,
Commas should be used to set off the phrase "the lost princess," as it is in apposition to (gives a description of) the subject Perdita, but the sentence still makes sense without it. So, "Perdita the lost princess," contains the sentence's error, and the sentence should read, "Perdita, the lost princess, was found and raised by a shepherd."
Example Question #31 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although he initially refused to go to the cinema, James finally saw the movie, that his friends had recommended. No error
refused to go to the cinema
Although he
No error
had recommended
movie, that
movie, that
Commas, gramatically speaking, should never be used before or after the word "that." The correct sentence would have: "James finally saw the movie that his friends . . ."
"Had recommended" could be changed to "recommended", for the sake of simplicity, but the comma error is more flagrant.
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