Identifying Preposition Errors
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PSAT Writing › 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.
Joseph was apprehensive by the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawn. No error
by the unusual number
was
crowding
his front lawn
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses the wrong coordinator to connect its different parts. An adjective like “apprehensive” calls for “because” to explain why. The corrected sentence reads, "Joseph was apprehensive because of the unusual number of television crews crowding his front lawn."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Since she had surgery, Christine has appreciated for the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment. No error
appreciated for
Since
surgery; Christine
her
No error
Explanation
This sentence uses an unnecessary preposition. While it is convention to speak about “an appreciation for,” the preposition “for” is not used with the verb “to appreciate.” The corrected sentence reads, "Since she had the surgery, Christine has appreciated the elevator up to her fourth-floor apartment."
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
celebrated
recently
age of twenty-seven
No error.
Explanation
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."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The roller coaster was old and rickety, and the seatbelts were dangerously frayed; getting in, I felt afraid of my life. No error
afraid of
old and rickety
dangerously
getting in
No error
Explanation
This sentence doesn’t follow the conventions of prepositions in its choice of preposition that follows the verb “afraid.” “Afraid of_”_ is very different than “afraid for.” In this case, because the speaker’s life is the thing in danger instead of the speaker's life causing the speaker to feel afraid, “for” is appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "The roller coaster was old and rickety, and the seatbelts were dangerously frayed; getting in, I felt afraid for my life."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Macbeth is often described for being Shakespeare’s most accomplished play, as it delivers an incredibly high amount of drama. No error
described for
most
as it
amount of
No error
Explanation
This sentence does not comply with the idioms that govern which prepositions should follow verbs. “Described" is typically followed by the preposition “as,” not “for.” Therefore, the correct version of this sentence would read, "Macbeth is often described as being Shakespeare’s most accomplished play, as it delivers an incredible amount of drama."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The young attorney was frustrated that despite being a lawyer, she was being treated for an intern. No error
for
despite
was
being
No error
Explanation
This sentence does not comply with the idioms that govern which prepositions should follow certain verbs. “Treated” is typically followed either by “as” or not followed by a preposition at all. Therefore, the use of the preposition “for” after the word “treated” is inappropriate.
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
at
when
became
in
No error
Explanation
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.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As the dictator established more policies to repress the population, many rebels decided to protest of them. No error
of
established
to repress
decided
No error
Explanation
The error in this sentence involves prepositions. Instead of saying "protest of them," which is incorrect, it should read either "protest against them" or "protest them."
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 earthquake hit, Martin, fearing for his life, ran to cover underneath a nearby tree, not knowing he was safer out in the open. No error
ran to cover
for his life
a nearby tree
out in the open
No error
Explanation
The phrase "ran to cover" contains the sentence's error; it should be written as "ran for cover" instead so that it correctly follows the conventions of preposition usage.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Secretly delighted that the prank, the author admonished his friends for giving him such a fright. No error
delighted that
Secretly
admonished
giving
No error
Explanation
The correct idiomatic preposition after “delighted” in this context would be “by.” The corrected sentence reads, "Secretly delighted by the prank, the author admonished his friends for giving him such a fright."