PSAT Writing : Identifying Verb Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #125 : 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.

They puzzled over the little mysteries of life and language, wondering if it is possible to mingle in a group of twoNo error

Possible Answers:

life and language

No error

is

group of two

over

Correct answer:

is

Explanation:

This sentence has a problem with verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "They puzzled over the little mysteries of life and language, wondering if it was possible to mingle in a group of two."

Example Question #126 : 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.

Since he finally quit his stressful job, Joe is full of energy and witty banterNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

is

his

finally

energy and witty banter

Correct answer:

is

Explanation:

The timeline of this sentence isn’t quite right. Read it out loud, and you will probably hear that something is funny with the verb tense. Since the first half is in the past, the second half has to acknowledge that. The corrected sentence reads: Since he finally quit his stressful job, Joe has been full of energy and witty banter.

Example Question #127 : 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.

Harold almost never complains, but he had never encountered customer service this lousy before. No error

Possible Answers:

almost

No error

lousy

had never encountered

but

Correct answer:

had never encountered

Explanation:

This sentence does not maintain a logical timeline between verb tenses. Read it out loud, and it will probably sound funny. “Had never encountered” should be used following a sentence in the past, not the present. The corrected sentence reads: Harold almost never complains, but he has never encountered customer service this lousy before.

Example Question #128 : 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.

Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth has been overhunting by humans or climate changeNo error

Possible Answers:

climate change

No error

whether

has been 

reason for

Correct answer:

has been 

Explanation:

This sentence uses the incorrect tense of the verb “to be.” The corrected sentence reads: Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth was overhunting by humans or climate change.

Example Question #129 : 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.

Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had been giving him, and Charlie took delight in his agony. No error

Possible Answers:

his

agonized over

had been giving

and

No error

Correct answer:

had been giving

Explanation:

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 #41 : Identifying Verb 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 waitNo error 

Possible Answers:

through the snow

would have to wait

No error

being

desperately

Correct answer:

being

Explanation:

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 #874 : Sat Writing

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 troubleNo error

Possible Answers:

having been gone

worth the trouble

wondering if

was

No error

Correct answer:

having been gone

Explanation:

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 #42 : Identifying Verb 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

Possible Answers:

entire back wall

No error

has been destroyed

that

Turning around

Correct answer:

has been destroyed

Explanation:

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 #876 : Sat Writing

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

Possible Answers:

for the road

No error

would being

natural

and ran away

Correct answer:

would being

Explanation:

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 #877 : Sat Writing

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

Possible Answers:

No error

Although

he

than

has ate

Correct answer:

has ate

Explanation:

The phrase "has ate" should be "has eaten." "Eaten" is the proper participle for the present perfect form.

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