PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #881 :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.
Upon the discoverythat she couldn’tcompletelyopen her righteye, Joannadecided itwasfinally time to visit a doctor.No error
eye, Joanna
was
completely
No error
Upon the discovery
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Upon the discovery” is an appropriate idiomatic use of a preposition, “completely” is an adverb that modifies a verb, the comma between “eye” and “Joanna” is grammatical, and “was” is a verb in the correct tense.
Example Question #85 :Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Seekingradical changein the wayhis second grade classroomwas run, Joey tried to mobilize the students and motivatethemto form a student union.No error
in the way
No error
them
Seeking
was run
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Seeking” is a gerund verb that starts a correct modifying phrase, “in the way” is a conventional prepositional phrase, “was run” is an appropriate use of the passive voice, and “them” is a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent “the students.”
Example Question #86 :Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Margaret wasfull ofnaggingdoubts; shecouldn’t remember ifWednesday or Thursdaywas the last time shehad seenher pet tarantula.No error
had seen
Wednesday or Thursday
doubts; she
full of
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Full of” is a conventional combination of adjective and preposition, the semi-colon between “doubts” and “she” is grammatical, “Wednesday or Thursday” is coordinated correctly, and “had seen” is in the correct tense.
Example Question #41 :Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She found thecheerful, busyatmosphere of the caféto beenergizing,buther favorite place to spend timeremainedthe reading room of the library.No error
remained
but
to be
cheerful, busy
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Cheerful, busy” is a correct combination of adjectives modifying a noun, “to be” is a conventional way to follow the very “found,” “but” is a logical conjunction, and “remained” is a verb in the correct tense.
Example Question #42 :Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She wroteall day and all night, andsheonlystoppedwhen shehad run outof words.No error
all day and all night
she
No error
had run out
stopped
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “All day and all night” are correctly coordinated adverbial phrases, “she” is a pronoun that agrees with the previous pronoun, “stopped” is a verb in the correct tense, and “had run out” is a correct combination of verb and preposition.
Example Question #89 :Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Joey chose to eat ice creamfor every mealfor aweek, andnowheis complaining that hefeelsill.No error
he
for every meal
feels
week, and
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “For every meal” is an appropriate prepositional phrase, the comma between “week” and “and” is grammatical, “he” is a pronoun that agrees with “Joey,” and “feels” is a verb in the correct tense.
Example Question #71 :Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
"Don't speak to me like that ever again,"Connie warned."I'lltell on younext time." Theboy, oncesoantogonistic,backed off immediately.No error
tell on you
No error
boy, once
antagonistic
,"
No error
There are no errors in the sentence, all the subjects agree with their verbs, and the tenses line up. The commas are in their correct places as well.
Example Question #41 :Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Sheleaptover tables, wiggledthrough corridors, sprinted aroundthree, talltree trunks, and finallysat downin a heap to catch her breath.No error
sat down
No error
leapt
through corridors
three, tall
three, tall
Normally you'd want to separate a list with commas, but that's not the case here. To know why, imagine that each comma in a list is the word "and." You'd never say "threeandtall tree trunks" here.
Numbers will commonly do this in English; thus "I saw four red birds," etc.
Example Question #51 :Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Sea salt, especiallywhenpaired withchocolate or caramel, has an interesting flavorand isbecomingincreasinglypopular in baking.No error
chocolate or caramel
when
and is
increasingly
No error
No error
Nothing in this sentence needs to be changed.
Example Question #72 :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.
Thenewexhibit at the history museumprovidesasurprisinglyfascinating look at the milling industryin the American Midwest.No error
provides
new
No error
in the American Midwest
surprisingly
No error
Nothing in this sentence needs to be changed.
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