Example Question #1 : Identifying Word Usage Errors

1. The lights were dimmed slow, and the crowd gasped when the blue glow of the painted
letters became apparent.

Correct answer:
slow
Explanation:
This sentence uses the adjective “slow” to describe a the verb “were dimmed.” An adverb would be better.
The corrected sentence reads: The lights were dimmed slowly, and the crowd gasped when the blue glow
of the painted letters became apparent.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
2. The sharp beak and beady eyes of a common farm chicken can be terrifying to
those who have never seen this animal previous.

Correct answer:
previous
Explanation:
This sentence uses the adjective “previous” to describe the verb “seen.” An adverb would be better. The
corrected sentence reads: The sharp beak and beady eyes of a common farm chicken can be terrifying to
those who have never seen this animal previously.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
3. Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct.
Some sentences contain no error at all.
The comprehensive chemistry exam consists in four parts in which students must correctly
identify the element or compound. No error

Correct answer:
in
Explanation:
The correct preposition to use with the verb “to consist” is “of.” For example, “The Constitution consists
of many sections.”
Example Question #4 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
4. Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct.
Some sentences contain no error at all.
While his parents were at work, Michael skipped school and decided to take the train for the
city, where he met his older brother Jimmy and some of Jimmy's friends. No error

Correct answer:
for
Explanation:
"For" is a preposition error, as well as an idiom error. An idiomatic error is a grammatical error, but one
that no longer has any logical explanation; it is simply the way we speak, or write in English. The correct
preposition to substitute for would be "to." We take trains "to" cities, not "for" them. An idiosyncrasy is
something unique or odd to a person that has no explanation. An idiopathic symptom, or illness,
medically, is a condition with an unknown cause.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Usage Errors
5. Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct.
Some sentences contain no error at all.
Everyone will tell you that our soccer team is the best among our county. No error

Correct answer:
among
Explanation:
This is a sentence with an idiomatic error in the use of a preposition; "among" is the error and "in" would
be the a preposition. "Among" is used a bit more like "between" in cases where there are several other
entities implied. In this sentence, "best" is correct because there is no comparison between two specific
things. A more through rephrasing of the sentence to read "our soccer team is among the best in the
country" would also be correct, but would carry the implication that the team was not the single best, but
rather was in the top tier of teams.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Other Usage Errors
6. Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct.
Some sentences contain no error at all.
Selena was very angry on her sister for arriving more than thirty minutes late to their cousin’s
surprise party. No error

Correct answer:
on
Explanation:
The adjective “angry” should always be paired with either the preposition “with” or "at." For example,
“I’m angry with you for missing the appointment.”
Example Question #3 : Identifying Other Usage Errors
7. Her explanation for her absence, that she had been at the laundromat and lost track of time,
was confirmed with the piles of neatly folded laundry on the dresser.

Correct answer:
confirmed with
Explanation:
This sentence has a problem with a prepositional idiom. The corrected sentence reads: Her explanation
for her absence, that she had been at the laundromat and lost track of time, was confirmed by the piles of
neatly folded laundry on the dresser.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Other Usage Errors
8. My two dogs have recently become rather mutually antagonistic, and I am struggling to
keep them separate to each other.

Correct answer:
separate to
Explanation:
This sentence has a problem with prepositional idioms. The corrected sentence reads: My two dogs have
recently become rather mutually antagonistic, and I am struggling to keep them separate from each other.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
9. Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct.
Some sentences contain no error at all.
Ben, Irene, and Lily spent hours debating among themselves who was the best writer. No error

Correct answer:
No error
Explanation:
There is no error in this sentence. Though it may be tempting to think of "amongst" instead of "among,"
they are (usually) grammatically interchangeable. Because the comparison is between more than two
people (three, in this case), the superlative "best" is correct, and the word "who" is the correct pronoun.

10. Intense, obsessive preoccupation with success can seem either unhealthy and unnatural or
commendable and prestigious. No error

Correct answer:
No error
Explanation:
This sentence is grammatically sound, and thus features no error. "Either" is followed by an "or," as it
should be (true also of "neither" and "nor"), and "with" is the right word for success, as opposed to, say,
"preoccupation in success" or "preoccupation on success."