Identifying Other Usage Errors
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PSAT Writing › Identifying Other Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It doesn’t matter weather it is rainy or sunny tomorrow, because the volleyball team is sure to hold practice. No error
weather
or
because
sure to
No error
Explanation
When describing two possibilities, the appropriate word is “whether,” not “weather,” which refers to the climate.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While I expected giraffes and monkeys at the zoo, I had no idea their were going to be naked mole rats as well. No error
their
While
zoo, I
as well
No error
Explanation
In this sentence, the incorrect spelling of their/there/they’re is used. “Their” is a possessive pronoun (e.g. their giraffes), while “there” is used for existence (e.g. there are naked mole rats). The corrected sentence reads: While I expected giraffes and monkeys at the zoo, I had no idea there were going to be naked mole rats as well.
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.”
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.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Since she had surgery, Christine has appreciated for the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment. No error
appreciated for
Since
surgery; Christine
her
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses an unnecessary preposition. While it is convention to speak about “an appreciation for,” the preposition “for” is not used with the verb “to appreciate.” The corrected sentence reads, "Since she had the surgery, Christine has appreciated the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment."
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."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Since she had surgery, Christine has appreciated for the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment. No error
appreciated for
Since
surgery; Christine
her
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses an unnecessary preposition. While it is convention to speak about “an appreciation for,” the preposition “for” is not used with the verb “to appreciate.” The corrected sentence reads, "Since she had the surgery, Christine has appreciated the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment."
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."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It doesn’t matter weather it is rainy or sunny tomorrow, because the volleyball team is sure to hold practice. No error
weather
or
because
sure to
No error
Explanation
When describing two possibilities, the appropriate word is “whether,” not “weather,” which refers to the climate.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While I expected giraffes and monkeys at the zoo, I had no idea their were going to be naked mole rats as well. No error
their
While
zoo, I
as well
No error
Explanation
In this sentence, the incorrect spelling of their/there/they’re is used. “Their” is a possessive pronoun (e.g. their giraffes), while “there” is used for existence (e.g. there are naked mole rats). The corrected sentence reads: While I expected giraffes and monkeys at the zoo, I had no idea there were going to be naked mole rats as well.