Identifying Word Usage Errors

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PSAT Writing › Identifying Word Usage Errors

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

My cat, that has orange and white stripes, enjoys consuming food made for human beings, like bread and noodles. No error

that

has

consuming

like

No error

Explanation

In this sentence, "that" should be replaced with "which" because the phrase it introduces ("has orange and white stripes") is non-essential—that is, the phrase can be removed from the sentence without altering its meaning. "That" should be used with essential words or phrases, meaning that such phrases mustbe in the sentence for a reader's to understand it properly. An example of an essential phrase would be "The painting that the thief stole last night is still missing." To say "The painting is still missing" would leave out essential information - that it's missing because a thief stole it last night.

2

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

The sloth, out of all the zoo animals, were what fascinated Peter the most. No error

were

all

sloth, out

the most

No error

Explanation

In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. “Were” should go with a plural subject, but here the subject “the sloth” is singular. The corrected sentence reads, "The sloth, out of all the zoo animals, was what fascinated Peter the most."

3

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

After going to her friend's birthday party eating two large slices of chocolate cake, Jennie realized that she had eaten to much when her stomach began to make odd gurgling noises. No error

to much

two

to her friend's birthday party

to make odd gurgling noises

No error

Explanation

This sentence's error has to do with the homonyms "to," two," and "too." The "two" in "two large slices of chocolate cake" is correct; this form of the word refers to the whole number greater than one but less than three. The "to" in "to her friend's birthday party" is also correctly used; this "to" is being used as a preposition. The "to" in "to make odd gurgling noises" is also correctly used because it is part of an infinitive verb, "to make." The "to" in "eaten to much" is incorrect, however; to correct the sentence, one would need to change this "to" to "too," which is used to mean in excess or in an amount that is greater than what is needed or desired.

4

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

The events director, along with the administrative staff, are responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothly. No error

are

along with

making sure

smoothly

No error

Explanation

In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the number of the subject. The subject is singular (the administrative staff is in a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form would be “is.” The corrected sentence reads, "The events director, along with the administrative staff, is responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothly."

5

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

Starters are not meant to fill diners up, but to wet their appetite before a substantial entrée is served. No error

wet

their

substantial

is served

No error

Explanation

“Wet” means to moisten or dampen. “Whet,” however, means to stimulate or awaken. In this case, we are looking for the verb “whet.”

6

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

Not wanting being behind on her work, Maria furiously finished editing the pile of documents on her desk. No error

being behind

her

furiously

the pile of documents

No error

Explanation

This sentence uses the gerund “being” when the infinitive “to be” is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Not wanting to be behind on her work, Maria furiously finished editing the pile of documents on her desk."

7

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

Polydactyl cats can have seven toes on each feet, a fact that makes me wonder whether the extra digits make it easier for them to scratch things. No error

feet

seven toes

that makes me wonder whether

easier

No error

Explanation

The sentence uses the phrase "seven toes on each feet," and this is incorrect because "each" is used to describe a singular noun, but "feet" is plural. Changing "feet" to "foot" corrects this error.

8

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

Despite her best intentions, Suzy’s attempting to throw a surprise birthday party was a complete disaster. No error.

attempting

Despite her best intentions

surprise birthday

was

No error.

Explanation

It is not necessary to use the gerund “attempting” in this sentence because the noun “attempt” already exists. The corrected sentence reads,"Despite her best intentions, Suzy’s attempt to throw a surprise birthday party was a complete disaster."

9

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

The sense of expectation in the air was almost unbearable; the curtain was supposed to risen at half past six, and it was almost seven. No error.

risen

The sense of expectation

unbearable; the curtain

almost

No error.

Explanation

This sentence uses a participle (“risen”) after “to.” Here, an infinitive is correct. If you read the sentence as it is written out loud, it will probably sound incorrect. The corrected sentence reads, "The sense of expectation in the air was almost unbearable; the curtain was supposed to rise at half past six, and it was almost seven."

10

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

The sense of expectation in the air was almost unbearable; the curtain was supposed to risen at half past six, and it was almost seven. No error.

risen

The sense of expectation

unbearable; the curtain

almost

No error.

Explanation

This sentence uses a participle (“risen”) after “to.” Here, an infinitive is correct. If you read the sentence as it is written out loud, it will probably sound incorrect. The corrected sentence reads, "The sense of expectation in the air was almost unbearable; the curtain was supposed to rise at half past six, and it was almost seven."

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