PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Identifying Other 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.
The Federalists and the Republicans, the first two political parties of the United States, disagreed with how the Constitution should be interpreted. No error
should be interpreted
political
of the United States
with
No error
with
The wrong preposition is used in "disagreed with." You generally "disagree with" a person or policy, but "disagree over" or "disagree on" an issue. Changing "with" to "over" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads "The Federalists and the Republicans, the first two political parties of the United States government, disagreed over how the Constitution should be interpreted."
Example Question #22 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Her father prevented her against dropping out of high school. No error
of high school
against
No error
prevented her
Her father
against
The correct phrase is “to prevent someone (or something) from doing something.”
Example Question #221 : 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.
The two sides were not prepared to compromise with the matter of wage increases, and the discussions came to a standstill. No error
to compromise with
were
No error
and the discussions
came to a standstill
to compromise with
This sentence does not use prepositions in the correct idiomatic matter. You compromise on an issue and with people. The corrected sentence reads, "The two sides were not prepared to compromise on the matter of wage increases, and the discussions came to a standstill."
Example Question #222 : 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.
Joseph was apprehensive by the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawn. No error
was
his front lawn
by the unusual number
No error
crowding
by the unusual number
This sentence uses the wrong coordinator to connect its different parts. An adjective like “apprehensive” calls for “because” to explain why. The corrected sentence reads, "Joseph was apprehensive because of the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawn."
Example Question #23 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Now that I have researched all of the candidates and the issues, I have decided to support for the third party candidate. No error
and
support for
have decided
No error
all of the
support for
In this sentence, the preposition “for” is incorrect. “For” is used after the noun “support,” but not the verb. The corrected sentence reads, "Now that I have researched all of the candidates and the issues, I have decided to support the third party candidate."
Example Question #221 : Identifying Word 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.
The presence of a chicken happily pecking at pretzels strewn across her kitchen floor was rather surprising for Margaret. No error
happily
was
No error
surprising for
strewn
surprising for
There is an error in the idiomatic use of prepositions in this sentence. The preposition “to” is more acceptable after “surprising.” The corrected sentence reads: The presence of a chicken happily pecking at pretzels strewn across her kitchen floor was rather surprising to Margaret.
Example Question #25 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Half of the students in the class stayed up all night in order to work in the questions that confused them the most. No error
confused
of the students
No error
most
work in
work in
"In" is the wrong preposition. "Work on" makes more sense.
Example Question #26 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Inspired for the delicious quiche that he tried in a French bakery last weekend, Marvin went on a organic vegetable shopping spree and tried to recreate the perfect breakfast in his own kitchen. No error
Inspired for
No error
that he tried
in his own kitchen
and
Inspired for
This sentence uses the wrong preposition after “inspired.” “By” would be idiomatically correct. The corrected sentence reads, "Inspired by the delicious quiche that he tried in a French bakery last weekend, Marvin went on a organic vegetable shopping spree and tried to recreate the perfect breakfast in his own kitchen."
Example Question #34 : Identifying Other 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.
Secretly delighted that the prank, the author admonished his friends for giving him such a fright. No error
admonished
No error
delighted that
Secretly
giving
delighted that
The correct idiomatic preposition after “delighted” in this context would be “by.” The corrected sentence reads, "Secretly delighted by the prank, the author admonished his friends for giving him such a fright."
Example Question #35 : Identifying Other 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.
While his style was initially a protest to painting, Jackson Pollock's brand of artistic expression is now widespread and has influenced many other artists. No error
No error
protest to
has influenced
widespread
traditional painting
protest to
As a general rule for prepositions, "protest" is accompanied by the preposition "against," not "to." Therefore, "protest to" contains an error.
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