Praxis Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Praxis Core Skills: Writing
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.
We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitter cold.
bitter
bittering
bittered
bitterly
bitterly
Here, the correction simply involves making the adjective "bitter" into the adverb "bitterly." This is necessary because it modifies the verb "was" rather than the noun cold.
Example Question #2 : Praxis Core Skills: Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even though we started on the same day, at this point Robert is junior than me in the company. No error
day,
No error
started
than
than
Comparative prepositions (like "senior" or "junior") are followed by "to", not than, from, or against. The error here is "than," which needs to be replaced with "to" in order for this question to be correct.
Example Question #1 : Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Gerald fumbled with his papers, apologized to his coworkers, and replaced them on his podium. No error
fumbled
No error
papers,
them
them
The use of the pronoun "them" is ambiguous in this context, as "them" could technically refer either to "his papers" or to "his coworkers." "Them" should be replaced with "his papers."
Example Question #3 : Praxis Core Skills: Writing
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.
I have no clear idea who I am speaking to.
who I am speaking to.
to what I am speaking.
whom I am speaking to.
to whom I am speaking.
to whom I am speaking.
This is a very common error of pronoun case, which leads the sentence to incorrectly conclude with a preposition. Rather than using the subjective-case "who" in saying "who I am speaking to," it is correct to use the objective-case "whom." The correct version of the sentence reads, "I have no clear idea to whom I am speaking."
Example Question #4 : Praxis Core Skills: Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Boswell described his conversations with Dr. Johnson and writes that Johnson's wit was unparalleled. No error
Dr.
his conversations
writes
No error
writes
The error queried here was a simple error of verb tense. Since "described" is not underlined it must be correct, and since this verb is in the past tense the next verb "writes" should be in its past tense form: "written."
Example Question #1 : Voice
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.
If I was you, I would leave that job immediately.
was
were
had of been
will
were
This sentence expresses a hypothetical condition that is contrary to fact ("I," by definition, am not "you"), and therefore needs to be expressed using verbs in the subjunctive mood. "If" is a usually a good indication that a sentence will be in the subjunctive mood. In the subjunctive, "were" should be used instead of "was." "If I were you, I would leave that job immediately."
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