PSAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1009 :Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Sinceshe hadsurgery, Christinehasappreciated forthe elevator up toher4楼的公寓。No error
No error
手术;克里斯汀
appreciated for
Since
her
appreciated for
This sentence uses an unnecessary preposition. While it is convention to speak about “an appreciation for,” the preposition “for” is not used with the verb “to appreciate.” The corrected sentence reads, "Since she had the surgery, Christine has appreciated the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment."
Example Question #21 :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.
The roller coaster wasold and rickety, and the seatbelts weredangerouslyfrayed;getting in, I feltafraid ofmy life.No error
No error
old and rickety
getting in
afraid of
dangerously
afraid of
This sentence doesn’t follow the conventions of prepositions in its choice of preposition that follows the verb “afraid.” “Afraid of”is very different than “afraid for.” In this case, because the speaker’s life is the thing in danger instead of the speaker's life causing the speaker to feel afraid, “for” is appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "The roller coaster was old and rickety, and the seatbelts were dangerously frayed; getting in, I felt afraid for my life."
Example Question #21 :Identifying Preposition 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 Federalists and the Republicans, the first twopoliticalpartiesof the United States,disagreedwithhow the Constitutionshould be interpreted.No error
political
should be interpreted
with
of the United States
No error
with
The wrong preposition is used in "disagreed with." You generally "disagree with" a person or policy, but "disagree over"or "disagree on" an issue. Changing "with" to "over" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads "The Federalists and the Republicans, the first two political parties of the United States government, disagreed over how the Constitution should be interpreted."
Example Question #22 :Identifying Preposition 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 fatherprevented heragainstdropping outof high school.No error
prevented her
Her father
against
of high school
No error
against
The correct phrase is “to prevent someone (or something) from doing something.”
Example Question #21 :Identifying Preposition 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 sideswerenot preparedto compromise withthe matter of wage increases,and the discussionscame to a standstill.No error
came to a standstill
were
to compromise with
and the discussions
No error
to compromise with
This sentence does not use prepositions in the correct idiomatic matter. You compromiseonan issue andwithpeople. 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 #22 :Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Josephwasapprehensiveby the unusual numberof television crewscrowdinghis front lawn.No error
crowding
No error
was
by the unusual number
his front lawn
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 #24 :Identifying Preposition 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 researchedall of thecandidatesandthe issues, Ihave decidedtosupport forthe third party candidate.No error
support for
have decided
and
No error
all of the
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 #31 :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.
The presence of a chickenhappilypecking at pretzelsstrewnacross her kitchen floorwasrathersurprising forMargaret.No error
No error
happily
was
strewn
surprising for
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 #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.
Halfof the studentsin the class stayed up all night in order towork inthe questions thatconfusedthem themost.No error
most
No error
work in
confused
of the students
work in
"In" is the wrong preposition. "Work on" makes more sense.
Example Question #33 :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.
Inspired forthe delicious quichethat he triedin a French bakery last weekend, Marvin went on a organic vegetable shopping spreeandtried to recreate the perfect breakfastin his own kitchen.No error
and
Inspired for
that he tried
in his own kitchen
No error
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."
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