Praxis Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Praxis Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 :Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
We had a terrible time at the football game. It wasbittercold.
bittering
bitter
bitterly
bittered
bitterly
Here, the correction simply involves making the adjective "bitter" into the adverb "bitterly." This is necessary because it modifies the verb "was" rather than the noun cold.
Example Question #1 :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.
Even though westartedon the sameday,at this point Robert is juniorthanme in the company.No error
started
No error
day,
than
than
有限公司mparative prepositions (like "senior" or "junior") are followed by "to", not than, from, or against. The error here is "than," which needs to be replaced with "to" in order for this question to be correct.
Example Question #2 :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.
Geraldfumbledwith hispapers,apologized to his coworkers, and replacedthemon his podium.No error
them
papers,
fumbled
No error
them
The use of the pronoun "them" is ambiguous in this context, as "them" could technically refer either to "his papers" or to "his coworkers." "Them" should be replaced with "his papers."
Example Question #3 :Identifying Word Usage 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.
I have no clear ideawho I am speaking to.
to whom I am speaking.
to what I am speaking.
whom I am speaking to.
who I am speaking to.
to whom I am speaking.
This is a very common error of pronoun case, which leads the sentence to incorrectly conclude with a preposition. Rather than using the subjective-case "who" in saying "who I am speaking to," it is correct to use the objective-case "whom." The correct version of the sentence reads, "I have no clear idea to whom I am speaking."
Example Question #4 :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.
鲍斯威尔的描述his conversationswithDr.Johnson andwritesthat Johnson's wit was unparalleled.No error
writes
No error
Dr.
his conversations
writes
The error queried here was a simple error of verb tense. Since "described" is not underlined it must be correct, and since this verb is in the past tense the next verb "writes" should be in its past tense form: "written."
Example Question #5 :Identifying Word Usage 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.
If Iwasyou, I would leave that job immediately.
had of been
was
will
were
were
This sentence expresses a hypothetical condition that is contrary to fact ("I," by definition, am not "you"), and therefore needs to be expressed using verbs in the subjunctive mood. "If" is a usually a good indication that a sentence will be in the subjunctive mood. In the subjunctive, "were" should be used instead of "was." "If I were you, I would leave that job immediately."
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