Identifying Word Usage Errors

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PSAT Writing › Identifying Word Usage Errors

Questions 1 - 10
1

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

One should never allow your work responsibilities to be taken over by another person. No error

your

should never

to be taken over

another

No error

Explanation

In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts out with the subject “one” and changes to the possessive “your,” but these should refer to the same thing. The corrected sentence reads, "One should never allow one’s work responsibilities to be taken over by another person."

2

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

If you plan to study physics in college, one should focus on taking science and math courses in high school. No error

one

to study

taking

and

No error

Explanation

When using "you" or "one" as the subject of a sentence, you need to be consistent. Because the first half of this sentence uses "you" as the subject, the second half must also use "you"—not "one."

3

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

My boyfriend and me went to the animal shelter, and together, we adopted a dog. No error

me

went

together

adopted

No error

Explanation

This sentence contains an error in its use of the pronoun "me." The proper subjects of the sentence are "my boyfriend" and "I." "Me" is an objective pronoun, not a subjective pronoun (e.g., "My boyfriend gave the puppy to me." is correct, but "Me went to the animal shelter" is not correct.)

4

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The committee had a tradition of voting bimonthly for their quarterly meeting, in which the members discussed important matters. No error

their

had

in which

discussed

No error

Explanation

This is a pronoun agreement error. "Committee" is a group noun, so it is singular. The pronoun "their" refers to the committee but it is plural. "Their" should become "its."

5

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Any leader who inspires their constituents must do so by cultivating a sense of national pride and maintaining peace with neighboring states. No error

their

do so

maintaining

with

No error

Explanation

The possessive pronoun "their" in this sentence is meant to refer to the noun "leader." Because"their" is plural whereas "leader" is singular, the pronoun should be singular as well—"his or her" instead of "their."

The answer choice "do so" is correct because it simply replaces a verb phrase mentioned earlier in the sentence—"inspire their constituents."

The answer choice "maintaining" is correct because it preserves the parallel structure started by "cultivating."

The answer choice "with" is correct because to say "peace with" something or someone is the proper use of the idiom.

6

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

has ate

Although

he

than

No error

Explanation

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

7

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I am finding them on clearance everywhere. No error

am finding

As soon as

expensive

everywhere

No error

Explanation

This sentence has a problem with the timeline of verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I found them on clearance everywhere."

8

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.

attempting

Despite her best intentions

surprise birthday

was

No error.

Explanation

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."

9

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Not wanting being behind on her work, Maria furiously finished editing the pile of documents on her desk. No error

being behind

her

furiously

the pile of documents

No error

Explanation

This sentence uses the gerund “being” when the infinitive “to be” is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Not wanting to be behind on her work, Maria furiously finished editing the pile of documents on her desk."

10

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The sense of expectation in the air was almost unbearable; the curtain was supposed to risen at half past six, and it was almost seven. No error.

risen

The sense of expectation

unbearable; the curtain

almost

No error.

Explanation

This sentence uses a participle (“risen”) after “to.” Here, an infinitive is correct. If you read the sentence as it is written out loud, it will probably sound incorrect. The corrected sentence reads, "The sense of expectation in the air was almost unbearable; the curtain was supposed to rise at half past six, and it was almost seven."

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