PSAT Writing › Correcting Conventional and Idiomatic 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely in fire by the time they arrived.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely on fire by the time they arrived.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely in fire by the time they arrived.
Although they tried their best, the house was completely in fire by the time the firefighters arrived.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely engulfed on fire by the time they arrived.
By the time they arrived, the firefighters tried their best, although the house was completely in fire.
The original sentence contains an idiomatic error: "in fire." In English, objects are described as "on fire," not "in fire." A house that is "on fire" may also be "engulfed in flames," but never "engulfed on fire."
Only the correct answer choice contains the appropriate idiom.
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 would of gone to the supermarket had I remembered we need groceries.
I would have gone
I would of gone
I would had gone
I would of went
I could of gone
“Would of” is not a grammatically correct; it should be changed to “would have.”
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Kylie studied until morning in preparing her test stategy for the next exam.
to prepare her test strategy
in preparing her test strategy
for preparing her test strategy
in an effort to prepare her test strategy
for the preparation of her test strategy
This is an usual utilization of the word "preparing." Simply "to prepare" is more practical.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I learned a lot from the woman that I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman to whom I talked.
I learned a lot from the woman who I talked to.
I would learn a lot from the woman that I had talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman whom I talked to.
I learned a lot from the woman that I talked to.
We do not end a sentence with a preposition. Also, we use the pronoun "whom" when a person is the object of the verb. Here, the woman is the object of the verb "talked".
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.
All candidates are required to pay the entry fee irregardless of their financial situations.
regardless of their financial situations
irregardless of their financial situation
irregardless of there financial situations
regardless of their financial situation
irregardless of their financial situations
Though the term “irregardless” is sometimes heard in colloquial speech, it is not a grammatically correct word. The correct word is “regardless,” which means irrespective or nonetheless. Since we are talking about multiple candidates (plural), it must read “their financial situations.”
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Many people adore Indian cuisine because it contains a variety of ingredients, as well as alot of different spices.
as well as a lot of different spices
while also containing a lot of different spices
while at the same time a lot of different spices
while also containing alot of different spices
as well as alot of different spices
“A lot” is two separate words. The phrases “while also” and “while at the same time” are unnecessarily redundant.
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.
Despite the professor’s chidings, the students continued to conversate during the science lecture.
to converse during the science lecture
conversating during the science lecture
conversing during the science lecture
to be conversating during the science lecture
to conversate during the science lecture
The correct verb is “to converse,” and the noun is “conversation.” “Conversing” is an incorrect gerund use.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
No matter how hard I concentrated on the question, the solution to it kept alluding me.
the solution to it kept eluding me.
the solution to it kept alluding me.
alluding me was the solution to it.
the solution was keeping allusive.
the solution was kept elusive.
This question deals with incorrect word choice. The correct word is elude, which means to stay out of reach. Allude means to indirectly refer to something.
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.
The snob woman looked down on the slovenly young man, who always dressed in a disheveled manner.
The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looked down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looking down on the slovenly young man
The snob woman looked down to the slovenly young man
The snob woman looks down on the slovenly young man
The use of "snob" as an adjective in this sentence is incorrect, as "snob" is a noun and cannot properly modify "woman." The word needs to be changed to an adjectival form. "The snobby woman looked down on the slovenly young man" is the only answer choice to appropriately use an adjective.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The jury, despite hours of deliberation, is not able to resolve the issue; in the end, they cannot determine whose responsible for the crime. No error
determine whose
issue; in the end
jury, despite
No error
deliberation, is
"Who is" and "who's" is not interchangeable with "whose": here the correct sentence is: "they cannot determine who is (who's) respsonsible ..."