Correcting Verb Errors
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PSAT Writing › Correcting Verb Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The many problems accruing in the project seeming to get worse over time.
seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to get worse over time.
have seeming to get worse over time.
have been seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to getting worse over time.
Explanation
The use of the verb "seeming" in the sentence makes the sentence incomplete. As "seeming" is a gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun, there is actually no verb in the sentence. The correct answer is "seemed to get worse over time."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The students were shocked learning of their teacher's past life as a rock musician.
were shocked to learn
were shocked learning
were shocking to learn
were shocking learning
were shocking to learn
Explanation
The use of the verb "learn" is essentially as a modifier of the students "shock." This means that "learning" must be turned into a form that will describe why the students were "shocked." "Were shocked to learn," using an infinitive form, is the best choice among the answers.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studied physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studying physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night; studying physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night, and studying physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: and that was studying physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studied physics before her final exam the next morning.
Explanation
This sentence is structured as an independent clause about a priority and then a clarification of what that priority is.
The only appropriate punctuation here is a colon, which will provide that correct structural division and allow the second part of the sentence ("studying physics before her final exam the next morning") to act as an explanation of the noun "priority."
INCORRECT EXPLANATIONS:
A semicolon connects two separate independent clauses, so that is incorrect.
Janine's priority is "studying," which is a gerund, so the past tense "studied" is incorrect.
The option that uses a comma is incorrect because the second clause is dependent and is lacking a subject.
The option that uses a colon unnecessarily includes the connector "and that was." These superfluous words cloud the sentence's meaning and make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The many problems accruing in the project seeming to get worse over time.
seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to get worse over time.
have seeming to get worse over time.
have been seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to getting worse over time.
Explanation
The use of the verb "seeming" in the sentence makes the sentence incomplete. As "seeming" is a gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun, there is actually no verb in the sentence. The correct answer is "seemed to get worse over time."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The students were shocked learning of their teacher's past life as a rock musician.
were shocked to learn
were shocked learning
were shocking to learn
were shocking learning
were shocking to learn
Explanation
The use of the verb "learn" is essentially as a modifier of the students "shock." This means that "learning" must be turned into a form that will describe why the students were "shocked." "Were shocked to learn," using an infinitive form, is the best choice among the answers.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studied physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studying physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night; studying physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night, and studying physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: and that was studying physics before her final exam the next morning.
Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studied physics before her final exam the next morning.
Explanation
This sentence is structured as an independent clause about a priority and then a clarification of what that priority is.
The only appropriate punctuation here is a colon, which will provide that correct structural division and allow the second part of the sentence ("studying physics before her final exam the next morning") to act as an explanation of the noun "priority."
INCORRECT EXPLANATIONS:
A semicolon connects two separate independent clauses, so that is incorrect.
Janine's priority is "studying," which is a gerund, so the past tense "studied" is incorrect.
The option that uses a comma is incorrect because the second clause is dependent and is lacking a subject.
The option that uses a colon unnecessarily includes the connector "and that was." These superfluous words cloud the sentence's meaning and make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Working out of a former garage, the business growing rapidly into a multinational corporation.
the business grew rapidly
the business growing rapidly
the business growing rapid
the business growing more rapidly
that business growing rapidly
Explanation
The use of the participle "growing" makes the sentence actually not have a verb, as a participle needs some form of the verb "to be" to make a complete verbal phrase. "Growing" needs to be changed to a verb that can work on its own as the main verb of the sentence. The only answer choice to do so is "the business grew rapidly."
For amateur swimmers, or those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
For amateur swimmers, or those who lack swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, meaning those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, which are swimmers that are lacking in swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who have a lack of experience, which is in swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
No improvement necessary.
Explanation
The improved sentence is better than the original because it cuts out unnecessary words, changing "or those who are lacking," to "or those who lack." This change also avoids having the same word next to itself, as was the case in "swimming, swimming." Although there was nothing grammatically wrong with this sentence, there was room for stylistic improvement, which was made.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The allied movements are designed making their opponents uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
making their opponents uneasy.
make their opponents uneasy.
making opponents of theirs uneasy.
make opponents of theirs uneasy.
Explanation
The issue in the sentence is with the verb "making." It is used not as the verb, but as a modifier of "designed;" therefore, it needs to take a form that can appropriately do so, such as an infinitive. "To make their opponents uneasy," is the best choice among the answers.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The allied movements are designed making their opponents uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
making their opponents uneasy.
make their opponents uneasy.
making opponents of theirs uneasy.
make opponents of theirs uneasy.
Explanation
The issue in the sentence is with the verb "making." It is used not as the verb, but as a modifier of "designed;" therefore, it needs to take a form that can appropriately do so, such as an infinitive. "To make their opponents uneasy," is the best choice among the answers.