PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #301 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had been giving him, and Charlie took delight in his agony. No error
his
had been giving
No error
and
agonized over
had been giving
This sentence uses the wrong verb tense. “Had been giving” is clunky and unnecessary. The corrected sentence reads: Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had given him, and Charlie took delight in his agony.
Example Question #302 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
George was desperately excited to go caroling through the snow, but unfortunately it being July and he would have to wait. No error
being
would have to wait
No error
desperately
through the snow
being
This sentence uses the wrong form of the verb “to be.” “Was” is a better choice than “being” in this case. The corrected sentence reads: George was desperately excited to go caroling through the snow, but unfortunately it was July and he would have to wait.
Example Question #303 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She spent the afternoon wondering if having been gone to Scotland during the summer was worth the trouble. No error
wondering if
worth the trouble
No error
was
having been gone
having been gone
This sentence uses a convoluted form of the verb. One way to correct the sentence reads: She spent the afternoon wondering if going to Scotland during the summer was worth the trouble.
Example Question #304 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Turning around, Jonathan saw that the entire back wall of the garden fence has been destroyed in the blast. No error
Turning around
entire back wall
No error
has been destroyed
that
has been destroyed
The timeline of verb tenses in this sentence is not logical. The corrected sentence reads, "Turning around, Jonathan saw that the entire back wall of the garden fence had been destroyed in the blast."
Example Question #305 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The natural conclusion to draw would being that the goldfish jumped out of the tank, stole some pretzels for the road, unlocked the door, and ran away to join the circus. No error
No error
would being
natural
for the road
and ran away
would being
This sentence uses an incorrectly constructed verb (“would being”). The corrected sentence reads, "The natural conclusion to draw would be that the goldfish jumped out of the tank, stole some pretzels for the road, unlocked the door, and ran away to join the circus."
Example Question #306 : Identifying Sentence 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 Steven does not usually have an appetite, he has ate more tonight than anyone else at the dinner. No error
has ate
Although
he
than
No error
has ate
The phrase "has ate" should be "has eaten." "Eaten" is the proper participle for the present perfect form.
Example Question #132 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marketers are finding greater success making sales when they phoned people in the morning rather than late in the afternoon. No error
greater
when
phoned
No error
rather than
phoned
The sentence is present tense, so use "phone "instead of "phoned."
Example Question #51 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The undercover agents chose not to apprehend the suspect in the mall that afternoon, but instead apprehended him at the harbor before he is boarding a ship to Morocco. No error
is boarding
but instead
No error
not
in the mall
is boarding
"Is boarding" should be "boarded" because it matches the tense of other verbs in the sentence.
Example Question #52 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite a strict ban and severe punishments, the circulation of illegal jokes remains a thriving part of that country's underground culture. No error
remains
Despite
of
No error
culture
remains
For the timeline of the sentence to make sense, "remain" should be changed to past tense, because it occured before the Soviet Union collapsed. A simple correction would be "remained."
Example Question #53 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many people theorized that the darkness was caused by smoke from a volcanic eruption, but a few know that the real cause was an alien invasion. No error
Many people
from a volcanic eruption
No error
but
know that
know that
This sentence has an error in verb tense. Since the first half is in past tense, the second half should be too. The corrected sentence reads, "Many people theorized that the darkness was caused by smoke from a volcanic eruption, but a few knew that the real cause was an alien invasion."
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