ACT English : Colon Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Colon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The three colors of the United States flag are: red, white and blue.
are: red white and blue.
NO CHANGE
are, red, white and blue.
are red, white and blue.
are red, white and blue.
The colon should not be used because it separates the verb ("are") from its objects ("red, white and blue"). Thus, to correct this sentence you can remove the colon. Colons must come at the end of a complete independent clause; they cannot interrupt a clause.
Example Question #477 : Act English
Second language acquisition has already been positively correlated to increased cognitive flexibility (1) : what has yet to be investigated is the correlation between cultural literacy—as a potential result of second language acquisition—and the facilitation of social relationships on the individual and community levels, academic and career success, and personal cultural enrichment. Cultural literacy may be (2) viewed as a deepest sense of foreign language study, as it encompasses all facets of culture rather than just language. If these positive correlations are accurately established (3) , the United States’ education system and (4) its lack of priority given to foreign language studies must be reevaluated. Vastly extending foreign language requirements would allow individuals not only the obvious benefit of communicating in more than one language, (5) but also from greater academic success in high school, college, and the workplace, as well as less multicultural tension in social and professional arenas. (6) As the global market continues to be vital to the economic prosperity of nations, and immigration trends change their cultural make-up, (7) both linguistic and cultural understanding and awareness is essential.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
; what has yet to be investigated
: what they have yet to investigate
NO CHANGE
, what has yet to be investigated
; what has yet to be investigated
A semicolon is required to bring together two distinct but supporting thoughts. A comma would make it a run-on sentence, and a colon is used to provide direct evidentiary support (often in the form of a list) of the previous line or when the second clause follows an independent clause that directly clarifies or explains the first clause.
Example Question #41 : Colon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Attending my Super Bowl party this month: Teddy, Elaine, Susan, Mario, and Kim.
NO CHANGE
People who are planning to attend my Super Bowl party this month:
The list of attendees for my Super Bowl party this month:
The following people are attending my Super Bowl party this month:
Planning to attend my Super Bowl party this month:
The following people are attending my Super Bowl party this month:
Colons must be preceded by a main clause. None of the incorrect answers is a main clause that could stand on its own as a complete sentence.
Example Question #42 : Colon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Among my many friends: Jennifer, Alan, Kate, and Theodore.
I have many friends:
My group of friends:
Included in my group of friends:
My group of friends, including:
NO CHANGE
I have many friends:
Colons must be preceded by a main clause. No colon should interrupt a clause, or follow a dependent introductory clause, as happens in the example sentence. The correct option adds enough elements to make this clause grammatically independent.
Example Question #43 : Colon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
A number of my friends that I invited to my party: Joselene, Kenny, Bruce, David, Kendra, and Michelle
The number of friends invited to my party includes:
NO CHANGE
Friends that I invited to my party:
My list of friends invited to my party:
I invited a number of my friends to my party:
I invited a number of my friends to my party:
A colon must be preceded by a main clause. That is, the clause preceding any colon must be able to stand on its own as a complete sentence. None of of the incorrect answer choices is a main clause.
Example Question #141 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Junior had three wishes for Christmas: a toy truck, a teddy bear, and a set of markers.
for Christmas, a toy truck
for Christmas. A toy truck
NO CHANGE
for Christmas a toy truck
for Christmas a toy, truck
NO CHANGE
This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of a colon. In this sentence, the colon correctly introduces a list of items. The "toy truck," the "teddy bear," and the "set of markers" are the three items making up this list. A comma should not be used to introduce a list of items, and the use of a period makes the second part of the sentence into a fragment.
Example Question #142 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
John bought a goldfish at the pet store: but he wasn't expecting it to grow so quickly.
NO CHANGE
store. But
store; but
store? But
store, but
store, but
This question asks you about the correct use of a colon. A colon should be used only to introduce a quotation, a list, or a clause containing additional information describing the first clause. In this sentence, a colon is not correct punctuation and should not be used. The second independent clause, "but he wasn't expecting it to grow so quickly," contrasts the first independent clause, rather than describing it. Since the second clause begins with a conjunction, "but," a comma should separate the two clauses.
Example Question #143 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, select “NO CHANGE.”
Sylvia brought three types of sandwiches to serve at her picnic, ham, turkey, and tuna salad.
at her picnic: ham
at her picnic. Ham
NO CHANGE
at her picnic ham
at her picnic; ham
at her picnic: ham
This question asks you to choose the best form of punctuation to introduce a list. A colon should be used to introduce a list of two or more items. In this sentence, the list contains three types of sandwiches, "ham, peanut butter and jelly, and tuna salad," and should be introduced with a colon. A period or semicolon is incorrect since the list is not a complete sentence in itself. The original comma, or a lack of any punctuation, make the sentence a run-on.
Example Question #142 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, select “NO CHANGE.”
Leslie chose three friends to be her bridesmaids: Erin, Veronica and Janay.
bridesmaids, Erin
bridesmaids Erin
NO CHANGE
bridesmaids; Erin
bridesmaids. Erin
NO CHANGE
This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of a colon. A colon should be used to introduce a list of two or more items. In this sentence, the list contains three people: Erin, Veronica and Janay. A colon is the correct punctuation to use in this case, so the sentence is correct as written.
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