PSAT Writing : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas for Introductory or Interrupting Phrases
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Example Question #1 :Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Finally the teacherreturned our papers, anddespiteour initialworries, wediscoveredall of ushad received passing marks.No error
No error
Despite
worries, we
Finally the teacher
all of us
Finally the teacher
Here, "finally" is considered an introductory word, so it must be followed by a comma: "Finally, the teacher . . ."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
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 decideto goto the beach make sureto wearsunscreento protect your skin!No error
to protect your skin!
to the beach make sure
If you decide
No error
to wear
to the beach make sure
The phrase "If you decide to go to the beach" is an introductory phrase, and all introductory phrases need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. So, after being corrected, the sentence would read, "If you decide to go to the beach, make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin!"
Example Question #83 :Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Daisy andher sister, Margot,shared a large family but a specialrelationship; evenamongtheir numerous older and youngersisters, Margot, andDaisy had a special bond.No error
No error
relationship; even
among
sisters, Margot, and
her sister, Margot,
sisters, Margot, and
Because the sentence states that Margot is not Daisy's only sister, the commas and which frame her name in "their numerous older and younger sisters, Margot, and Daisy" are incorrect. The comma that sets apart Margot's name at the beginning of the sentence ("Daisy and her sister, Margot, shared") is correctly used, because here, Margot is being specified as Daisy's sister in an appositive phrase that renames "her sister" as "Margot."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite disinterestin schoolelections, themajority of the students votedShindra the treasurer,president of thestudent government.No error
No error
student government
elections, the
Shindra the treasurer,
Despite disinterest
Shindra the treasurer,
"The treasurer" here is an appositive: it renames or restates Shindra in different words, and it should be surrounded with commas. The correct sentence should be: "the students voted Shindra, the treasurer, president . . ."
Example Question #673 :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.
Istanbul,despitebeing anold cityhas recently been the site of major commercialdevelopments hopingto bring international businessto the country.No error
developments hoping
No error
to bring international business
despite being an old city
Instanbul, despite
despite being an old city
Here "despite being an old city" needs to be separated by the main clause by two commas, not just one.
Example Question #674 :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.
At the insistenceof themanager, the entire teamdropped the projectimmediately;theprojectleader however,continued her workwithout interruption.No error
without interruption
leader however,
manager, the entire team
immediately; the
At the insistence
leader however,
The word "however" here is considered a non-essential phrase: it can be removed, leaving a complete sentence. So it must be surrounded with commas: "The project leader, however, continued . . ."
Example Question #675 :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.
Perdita the lost princess,wasfound and raisedby a shepherd.No error
Perdita the lost princess,
No error
was
by a shepherd.
found and raised
Perdita the lost princess,
Commas should be used to set off the phrase "the lost princess," as it is in apposition to (gives a description of) the subject Perdita, but the sentence still makes sense without it. So, "Perdita the lost princess," contains the sentence's error, and the sentence should read, "Perdita, the lost princess, was found and raised by a shepherd."
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