Correcting Agreement Errors
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PSAT Writing › Correcting Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Due to the elliptical shape of celestial orbits, the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time.
the distance between the sun with the planets vary over time.
the distance of the sun to the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets have varied over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
Explanation
The answer choice "the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time" is correct. It correctly uses a singular verb—"varies"—to match the singular subject, "distance."
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain a subject-verb number agreement error. They use plural verb forms when they should use singular verb forms instead.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The new bylaws of the organization was ratified by a unanimous vote yesterday.
The new bylaws of the organization were
The new bylaws of the organization was
The new bylaws for the organization was
The new bylaws from the organization was
The newer bylaws of the organization was
Explanation
While the singular verb "was" is next to the singular noun "organization," the subject of the sentence is the plural noun "bylaws." This means that the verb "was" needs to be changed to a plural form; therefore, "The new bylaws of the organization were" is the correct answer choice.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The new bylaws of the organization was ratified by a unanimous vote yesterday.
The new bylaws of the organization were
The new bylaws of the organization was
The new bylaws for the organization was
The new bylaws from the organization was
The newer bylaws of the organization was
Explanation
While the singular verb "was" is next to the singular noun "organization," the subject of the sentence is the plural noun "bylaws." This means that the verb "was" needs to be changed to a plural form; therefore, "The new bylaws of the organization were" is the correct answer choice.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
An individual's optimal pulse rate, the study shows, depends on their weight, height, and age.
depends on his or her weight, height, and age
depends on his or her weight, height, and how old they are
have depended on their weight, height, and age
has depended on their weight, height, and age
depends on their weight, height, and age
Explanation
The original text contains a pronoun agreement error. The possessive pronoun "their" is plural, but it is intended to refer to the singular noun "individual." We must use singular possessive pronouns instead, such as "his or her."
Only answer choices "depends on his or her weight, height, and how old they are" and "depends on his or her weight, height, and age" correctly use "his or her" instead of "their," but answer choice "depends on his or her weight, height, and how old they are" does not use correct parallel structure. Therefore, the answer choice "depends on his or her weight, height, and age" is correct.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Due to the elliptical shape of celestial orbits, the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time.
the distance between the sun with the planets vary over time.
the distance of the sun to the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets have varied over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
Explanation
The answer choice "the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time" is correct. It correctly uses a singular verb—"varies"—to match the singular subject, "distance."
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain a subject-verb number agreement error. They use plural verb forms when they should use singular verb forms instead.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When I moved out of town, all of my classmates gave me a suggestion for how to make friends in my new school.
gave me suggestions for how to make friends
gave me a suggestion for how to make friends
give me a suggestion for how to make friends
give me suggestions for how to make friends
giving me suggestions for how to make friends
Explanation
The plural "classmates" were suggesting, so he had to receive plural "suggestions." Also, since he "moved" (past tense) we have to say that the classmates "gave" (past tense) the suggestions. This means the correct answer is "gave me suggestions for how to make friends."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
An individual's optimal pulse rate, the study shows, depends on their weight, height, and age.
depends on his or her weight, height, and age
depends on his or her weight, height, and how old they are
have depended on their weight, height, and age
has depended on their weight, height, and age
depends on their weight, height, and age
Explanation
The original text contains a pronoun agreement error. The possessive pronoun "their" is plural, but it is intended to refer to the singular noun "individual." We must use singular possessive pronouns instead, such as "his or her."
Only answer choices "depends on his or her weight, height, and how old they are" and "depends on his or her weight, height, and age" correctly use "his or her" instead of "their," but answer choice "depends on his or her weight, height, and how old they are" does not use correct parallel structure. Therefore, the answer choice "depends on his or her weight, height, and age" is correct.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When I moved out of town, all of my classmates gave me a suggestion for how to make friends in my new school.
gave me suggestions for how to make friends
gave me a suggestion for how to make friends
give me a suggestion for how to make friends
give me suggestions for how to make friends
giving me suggestions for how to make friends
Explanation
The plural "classmates" were suggesting, so he had to receive plural "suggestions." Also, since he "moved" (past tense) we have to say that the classmates "gave" (past tense) the suggestions. This means the correct answer is "gave me suggestions for how to make friends."
No one question the desire to succeed among most students in a competitive school environment.
No one questions
No one question
No question
Nobody question
No questions
Explanation
The underlined part of the sentence contains a flaw in subject verb agreement. "No one" is properly used as a singular form. Therefore, "no one questions" is the correct answer choice.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The argument over the scandal and the authority of the governor have intensified greatly.
the authority of the governor has
whether the governor has authority has
what the authority of the governor is has
the governor's authority have
the authority of the governor have
Explanation
Because the subject of the sentence is the singular noun argument, the verb have is conjugated incorrectly. The sentence also has a list which requires parallel phrasing. The only choice that corrects both problems is "the authority of the governor has".