Identifying Agreement Errors

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PSAT Writing › Identifying Agreement 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 agencies collaborating on the investigation is preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press. No error.

is preparing

collaborating on

to

their findings

No error.

Explanation

In this sentence, the verb “is preparing” does not match its plural subject “agencies.” The corrected sentence reads, "The agencies collaborating on the investigation are preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press."

2

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.

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.

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."

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.

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."

8

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."

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 agencies collaborating on the investigation is preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press. No error.

is preparing

collaborating on

to

their findings

No error.

Explanation

In this sentence, the verb “is preparing” does not match its plural subject “agencies.” The corrected sentence reads, "The agencies collaborating on the investigation are preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press."

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 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."

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