Identifying Modifier-Word Modified Agreement Errors

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PSAT Writing › Identifying Modifier-Word Modified Agreement Errors

Questions 1 - 3
1

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

While this claims are unverified, some people report that garlic is a powerful panacea. No error

this

While

some

powerful

No error

Explanation

This sentence has a singular demonstrative adjective (“this”) that does not agree with its plural noun (“claims”). These should be consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "While these claims are unverified, some people report that garlic is a powerful panacea."

2

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Let's not get caught up in all this problems; we should solve them and move forward. No error

this

Let's not

we should

forward

No error

Explanation

The use of "this" needs to be plural since it refers to multiple problems: "these problems" would be correct.

3

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Bob's story was not only more interesting than John, but it was more realistic. No error

John

was

it

more

No error

Explanation

This is an illogical comparison. To be grammatically correct, the sentence needs to say "John's story" or "that of John's" instead of just "John."

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