PSAT Writing : Identifying Appositive and Interrupting Phrase Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Appositive Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marvin, the librarian from Ridgedale always has a good recommendation for something to read. No error.
No error.
for something to read
Ridgedale always
good
has
Ridgedale always
"The librarian from Ridgedale" is an appositive phrase, which is extra information renaming a noun that is set off by commas. Here, it is missing the closing comma. The corrected sentence reads, "Marvin, the librarian from Ridgedale, always has a good recommendation for something to read."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Appositive Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The dogs, who were basset hounds liked to run and sniff; they typically spent three hours outdoors every day. No error
sniff; they
The dogs,
basset hounds
No error
every day
basset hounds
The error in the sentence is "a basset hound." This appositive phrase, which describes "the dogs," needs to be closed off with a second comma. Appositive phrases rename the noun beside it. Non-essential appositives must always be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Appositive Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Our family's pet bird, a canary wakes me every morning with her beautiful song. No error.
morning with
family's
bird, a
No error
canary wakes
canary wakes
An appositive phrase sits next to a noun and renames it. An appositive phrase is surrounded by commas, and the sentence would still be grammatically correct if it were taken out. Because the appositive phrase "a canary" renames "Our family's pet bird," it should have a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end, making the correct sentence, "Our family's pet bird, a canary, wakes me every morning with her beautiful song."
Example Question #95 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I've never understood how bugs tiny creatures, could scare such big humans! No error.
big humans
never understood
No error
creatures, could
bugs tiny
bugs tiny
An appositive phrase sits next to a noun and renames it. An appositive phrase is surrounded by commas, and the sentence would still be grammatically correct if it were taken out. Because the appositive phrase "tiny creatures" renames "bugs," it should have a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end, making the correct sentence, "I've never understood how bugs, tiny creatures, could scare such big humans!" Note that while an exclamation points is not necessary, it is also not strictly incorrect in this instance. Exclamation points are optional, stylistic punctuation marks.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Interrupting Phrase Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
That dress, even if it flatters Maureen, is not one that I would wear to the prom. No error.
No error
dress, even
Maureen, is
the prom
I would
No error
An interrupting phrase provides extra information about the subject that is not necessary for the sentence to be correct. A correctly-formed interrupting phrase should have a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end, and the sentence should remain correct even if the interrupting phrase is deleted. This means that the correct form of this sentence is "That dress, even if it flatters Maureen, is not one that I would wear to the prom."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Interrupting Phrase 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's hard to believe that Arthur though he did work very hard, received a full scholarship to an Ivy League school. No error.
Ivy League
hard, received
It's hard
Arthur though
No error
Arthur though
An interrupting phrase provides extra information about the subject that is not necessary for the sentence to be correct. A correctly formed interrupting phrase should have a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end, and the sentence should remain correct even if the interrupting phrase is deleted. This means that the correct form of this sentence is "It's hard to believe that Arthur, though he did work very hard, received a full scholarship to an Ivy League school."
Certified Tutor
All PSAT Writing Resources
