Correcting Conjunction Errors
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PSAT Writing › Correcting Conjunction 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.
The United States is one of just a few countries in the world which continues to use the British system of measurement.
that continues to use the British system of measurement.
which continues using the British system of measurement.
which continues to use the british system of measurement.
that continues using the british system of measurement.
which continues to use the British system of measurement.
Explanation
This sentence requires use of “that” because the United States is a country (e.g., a noun). Also, “British” must be capitalized because it is a nationality.
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.
Today, psychotherapy is one of the only treatments that has been shown to help treat, but even help prevent, most psychological disorders.
help treat and even prevent most
help treat and prevent, most
help treat, but even prevent, most
help treat and prevent, most
help treating and preventing
Explanation
The best way to rephrase "help treat, but even help prevent, most psychological disorders" is "help treat and even prevent most psychological disorders." Commas can be used to denote an interrupting phrase, which is an idea connected to the main idea but not necessary to the understanding of the main idea of the sentence. For example, an interrupting clause may provide additional information about the main idea or a qualification (using "but" or "however"). In this example, the idea that psychotherapy can help prevent psychological disorders is part of the main idea of the sentence, so it does not have to be separated from the remainder of the sentence by commas.
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.
Today, psychotherapy is one of the only treatments that has been shown to help treat, but even help prevent, most psychological disorders.
help treat and even prevent most
help treat and prevent, most
help treat, but even prevent, most
help treat and prevent, most
help treating and preventing
Explanation
The best way to rephrase "help treat, but even help prevent, most psychological disorders" is "help treat and even prevent most psychological disorders." Commas can be used to denote an interrupting phrase, which is an idea connected to the main idea but not necessary to the understanding of the main idea of the sentence. For example, an interrupting clause may provide additional information about the main idea or a qualification (using "but" or "however"). In this example, the idea that psychotherapy can help prevent psychological disorders is part of the main idea of the sentence, so it does not have to be separated from the remainder of the sentence by commas.
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 United States is one of just a few countries in the world which continues to use the British system of measurement.
that continues to use the British system of measurement.
which continues using the British system of measurement.
which continues to use the british system of measurement.
that continues using the british system of measurement.
which continues to use the British system of measurement.
Explanation
This sentence requires use of “that” because the United States is a country (e.g., a noun). Also, “British” must be capitalized because it is a nationality.
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.
Because the giant squid is an elusive creature rarely seen by humans, scientists are beginning to gain a better understanding of the creature by studying it using remote cameras.
Although
Since
As
Considering
Because
Explanation
The sentence is trying to explain that in spite of the giant squid's elusiveness, scientists are finding new ways of studying it. The sentence therefore is trying to contrast two ideas, as opposed to showing causation with the word "because." The only answer choice that uses a contrasting conjunction is "Although," so it is the correct answer.
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.
Because the giant squid is an elusive creature rarely seen by humans, scientists are beginning to gain a better understanding of the creature by studying it using remote cameras.
Although
Since
As
Considering
Because
Explanation
The sentence is trying to explain that in spite of the giant squid's elusiveness, scientists are finding new ways of studying it. The sentence therefore is trying to contrast two ideas, as opposed to showing causation with the word "because." The only answer choice that uses a contrasting conjunction is "Although," so it is the correct answer.
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.
In the future, not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed to go outside without asking the teacher for permission.
neither Ellen nor Marcia is allowed
not Ellen and not Marcia is allowed
neither Ellen nor Marcia are allowed
neither Ellen and Marcia are allowed
not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed
Explanation
The correct form for this sentence is "neither . . . nor." In addition, "neither . . .nor" leads to use of the singular form "is"rather than "are_."_
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.
In the future, not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed to go outside without asking the teacher for permission.
neither Ellen nor Marcia is allowed
not Ellen and not Marcia is allowed
neither Ellen nor Marcia are allowed
neither Ellen and Marcia are allowed
not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed
Explanation
The correct form for this sentence is "neither . . . nor." In addition, "neither . . .nor" leads to use of the singular form "is"rather than "are_."_
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.
In Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights, the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must make a choice between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have to be choosing between true love either or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have chosen between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
Explanation
Only answer choice "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence" correctly uses "and" with the preposition "between."
The other answer choices, including the original text "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence," contain an incorrect idiomatic expression. When we have "between," we typically need the word "and"—rather than "or"—to separate the entities that follow.
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.
In Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights, the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must make a choice between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have to be choosing between true love either or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have chosen between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
Explanation
Only answer choice "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence" correctly uses "and" with the preposition "between."
The other answer choices, including the original text "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence," contain an incorrect idiomatic expression. When we have "between," we typically need the word "and"—rather than "or"—to separate the entities that follow.