Identifying Sentence Errors

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PSAT Writing › Identifying Sentence 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.

The committee had a tradition of voting bimonthly for their quarterly meeting, in which the members discussed important matters. No error

their

had

in which

discussed

No error

Explanation

This is a pronoun agreement error. "Committee" is a group noun, so it is singular. The pronoun "their" refers to the committee but it is plural. "Their" should become "its."

2

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

Jordan and Marvin’s mother has decided that they will become a lawyer when they grow up, but they seem more artistically inclined. No error

a lawyer

they

up, but

artistically inclined

No error

Explanation

This sentence's error is a discrepancy in number. Two children are mentioned, "Jordan and Marvin," so logically, they would grow up to become two different lawyers. The sentence uses the singular noun "a lawyer" where it should use the plural noun "lawyers," so "lawyer" is the correct answer.

The corrected sentence reads, "Jordan and Marvin’s mother has decided that they will become lawyers when they grow up, but they seem more artistically inclined."

3

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.

4

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.

5

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."

6

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."

7

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

He could have chosen any profession in the world, but he decided that accounting was more interesting. No error

more

could have chosen

but

decided that

No error

Explanation

This sentence uses the comparative “more,” which should be used when comparing only two things. As this sentence compares all professions, the superlative “most” should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "He could have chosen any profession in the world, but he decided that accounting was the most interesting."

8

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

As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I am finding them on clearance everywhere. No error

am finding

As soon as

expensive

everywhere

No error

Explanation

This sentence has a problem with the timeline of verb tenses. Since the first half of the sentence is in the past, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "As soon as I bought an expensive patio umbrella I found them on clearance everywhere."

9

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

Joseph was apprehensive by the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawn. No error

by the unusual number

was

crowding

his front lawn

No error

Explanation

This sentence uses the wrong coordinator to connect its different parts. An adjective like “apprehensive” calls for “because” to explain why. The corrected sentence reads, "Joseph was apprehensive because of the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawn."

10

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."

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