PSAT Writing : Identifying Other Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : 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.
Harold Harrison, the celebrated Olympic athlete, recently decided to retire on the age of twenty-seven. No error.
to retire on
No error.
age of twenty-seven
recently
celebrated
to retire on
This sentence uses a preposition that is not idiomatically correct. We say “retire at” an age and “retire on” some savings, lottery winnings, etc. The corrected sentence reads, "Harold Harrison, the celebrated Olympic athlete, recently decided to retire at the age of twenty-seven."
Example Question #2 : 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.
There are some species of flatworm that, if split down the middle, will become into two new flatworms. No error.
There are
if split
two new flatworms
No error.
will become into
will become into
This sentence has an extra preposition thrown in it. Things "become" things; they do not "become into" things. The corrected sentence reads, "There are some species of flatworm that, if split down the middle, will become two new flatworms."
Example Question #1 : 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.
Jon, as an avid lover of all animals, decided to protest over the depiction of violence towards dogs, which is becoming increasingly common in feature films. No error
lover of all animals
towards
becoming
over
No error
over
As a general idiomatic rule, the verb "protest" always goes with the preposition "against," not "over." Therefore, the phrase should be "protest against," not "protest over."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When the batter made contact with the baseball, it zoomed threw the air like a bullet and flew out of the park. No error
No error
like
out of the
made contact
threw
threw
The preposition here should be spelled "through." "Threw" is the past tense singular form of the verb "to throw" and is not appropriate in this sentence.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Preposition 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 zoo visitor became startled when he saw the tiger running at him with a crazed look in its eyes. No error
when
became
in
No error
at
at
Idiomatically, a person or animal would not be “running at” something, but rather, “running towards” something. Therefore, the underlined word “at” contains the error in the sentence.
Example Question #1 : 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.
In choosing between hummus, salsa, and guacamole as a dip to serve with pita chips, most people would say that pita chips are best served with hummus. No error
No error
salsa, and
most
are
between
between
"Between" is used to compare two items, while "among" should be used to compare three or more items. Given that three items (hummus, salsa, and guacamole) are being compared, "among" should be used instead of "between."
Example Question #1 : 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.
For people trying to lose weight, having herbal tea after dinner is a good substitution with dessert. No error
after
is
trying
with
No error
with
Idiomatically, the phrase that should be used here is "substitution for," not "substitution with."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Social media has both allowed some people to become more connected, but at the same time, has contributed to a feeling of loneliness with others. No error
more
No error
with
both
to
with
Idiomatically, the underlined part of the sentence should be "for" instead of "with." This is because the proper phrase is "loneliness for others" not "loneliness with others."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Robert's neighbor likes to argue for a wide variety of topics because he is a very contentious person, much to the lament of those around him. No error
because
for
much
No error
those
for
Idiomatically, the verb "argue" should not be accompanied by the preposition "for" unless it is clear that a person is arguing in favor of something. Here, that is not the case. This error would be eliminated if the phrase used was "argue about."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Preposition 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 is shocking for some people to realize that two from three people infected with bronchitis will develop the disease again later in life. No error
some people
from
with
It is
No error
from
To be grammatically correct, the sentence should read "two out of three," not "two from three." Idiomaticlly, "out of" is appropriate for the context, but "from" is not.
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