PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Observing from the summit, the valley that stood below Mike's tour group seemed unfathomably extensive and arid. No error
Observing from the summit,
Mike's
arid
unfathomably
No error
Observing from the summit,
“Observing” is apart of a misplaced modifier that should refer to Mike's tour group, not the valley. The way the sentence is written, it seems as if "the valley" is "observing from the summit," not "Mike's tour group."
Example Question #641 : 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.
With ears like a rabbit's and a tongue like a frog's, Andrew knew that he had selected the perfect puppy. No error
No error
he had selected
rabbit's
frog's,
Andrew
Andrew
The grammatical problem with this sentence is the dangling modifier before the comma. Since the subject of the first clause is the "perfect puppy," the puppy must also be the subject of the main clause, not Andrew. The other, probably better option, would be to make Andrew the subject of the first clause: "Seeing the rabbit-like ears and frog-like tongue..."
Example Question #642 : 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 local coffeeshop’s sudden surge in popularity was largely attributed to them redecorating shark-themed. No error
No error
The local coffeeshop's
them redecorating shark-themed
largely
surge in popularity
them redecorating shark-themed
The last phrase in this sentence is phrased awkwardly. Changing it to an adjective-noun combination makes the sentence run much more smoothly: "The local coffeeshop’s sudden surge in popularity was largely attributed to their shark-themed redecoration."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Verb 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.
Hillary Clinton, a prominent American politician, is often being represented in the media as a conniving woman rather than a successful political figure. No error.
in the media
being
No error.
than a successful political figure
conniving
being
The progressive verb “being” is not necessary in this sentence. It is more concise and to-the-point to say: "Hillary Clinton, a prominent American politician, is often represented in the media as a conniving woman rather than a successful political figure."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Other Verb 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 spectators looked at one another, not having much to say, as they were dumbfounded by the tricks of the New York City street magician. No error.
No error.
having
one another
New York City
dumbfounded
having
“Having” is an incorrect use of a gerund. It creates confusion with respect to time, as both “looked” and “dumbfounded” are in the simple past tense.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Other Verb 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.
Despite her best intentions, Suzy’s attempting to throw a surprise birthday party was a complete disaster. No error.
was
surprise birthday
attempting
Despite her best intentions
No error.
attempting
It is not necessary to use the gerund “attempting” in this sentence because the noun “attempt” already exists. The corrected sentence reads, "Despite her best intentions, Suzy’s attempt to throw a surprise birthday party was a complete disaster."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Verb 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.
Most elderly women prefer to go to bed early instead of stay up late watching television. No error.
to go to bed
stay up late
instead of
Most
No error.
stay up late
Usually, the phrase “instead of” is followed by a gerund or verb that ends in "-ing". The corrected sentence reads, "Most elderly women prefer to go to bed early instead of staying up late watching television."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Other Verb 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.
Given the chance, Frank would drop everything and dedicate his life to swim the English Channel. No error.
Given the chance
to swim
No error.
his life
everything and
to swim
This sentence uses the verb “swim” when it needs a gerund, “swimming.” A gerund is a verb that is acting as a noun. The corrected sentence reads, "Given the chance, Frank would drop everything and dedicate his life to swimming the English Channel."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Verb 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.
All of the children were sorely disappointed that the water slide being closed for repairs. No error.
All of the children
being closed
No error.
sorely
for repairs
being closed
This sentence has the gerund "being" in it, but the past tense "was" is cleaner and more direct. The corrected sentence reads, "All of the children were sorely disappointed that the water slide was closed for repairs."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Other Verb 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.
Many people find the rigorous schedule associated with campaign management being overly fatiguing. No error.
Many people find
being
associated with
overly
No error.
being
This sentence uses “being” as a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) when the infinitive is necessary. Always, when you use "find" followed by a noun and then an adjective or an adjectival phrase, you should connect the noun and adjective or adjectival phrase with the infinitive “to be.” The corrected sentence reads, "Many people find the rigorous schedule associated with campaign management to be overly fatiguing."
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