PSAT Writing : Identifying Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #511 : 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.
Her father prevented her against dropping out of high school. No error
No error
prevented her
Her father
against
of high school
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
came to a standstill
and the discussions
were
No error
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
No error
by the unusual number
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 #223 : 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.
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
have decided
all of the
support for
No error
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 #224 : 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 presence of a chicken happily pecking at pretzels strewn across her kitchen floor was rather surprising for Margaret. No error
strewn
happily
surprising for
was
No error
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 #225 : 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.
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
most
of the students
confused
No error
work in
work in
"In" is the wrong preposition. "Work on" makes more sense.
Example Question #226 : 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.
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
No error
and
in his own kitchen
that he tried
Inspired for
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 #227 : 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.
Secretly delighted that the prank, the author admonished his friends for giving him such a fright. No error
admonished
giving
delighted that
Secretly
No error
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 #32 : 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
traditional painting
No error
protest to
has influenced
widespread
protest to
As a general rule for prepositions, "protest" is accompanied by the preposition "against," not "to." Therefore, "protest to" contains an error.
Example Question #228 : 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.
As the dictator established more policies to repress the population, many rebels decided to protest of them. No error
to repress
decided
No error
of
established
of
The error in this sentence involves prepositions. Instead of saying "protest of them," which is incorrect, it should read either "protest against them" or "protest them."
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