ACT English : Conventional and Idiomatic Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #491 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
We're you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?
Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?
We're you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or we're you going to wait until the car stopped working?
Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or we're you going to wait until the car stopped working?
Were you ever planning on telling me that were almost out of gas or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?
We're you ever planning on telling me that were almost out of gas or we're you going to wait until the car stopped working?
Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?
"Were" is the past tense of "to be," and "we're" is the contraction of the two words "we are." For the first underlined word, we need the past tense of "to be," and we can tell this by noticing that this "were" needs to function as part of the verb "were . . . ever planning." The second underlined word needs to be the contraction of "we are," since we could replace it with "we are" ("that we are almost out of gas") and the sentence would still make sense. The third word needs to be the past tense of "to be," since, like the first word, it is part of the verb phrase "were . . . going." So, the correct answer is "Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas? Or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?"
Example Question #391 : Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Marlene and Josh spent hours debating what to wear and where to go for dinner.
wear and where
were and wear
where and wear
wear and were
wear and wear
wear and where
"Wear" is a verb, "where" is an adverb, and "were" is the plural past tense form of the verb "to be." So, the correct answer is "wear and where."
Example Question #231 : Correcting Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
What is most importantest in life is having love, health, and happiness in personal relationships.
most importantly
most important
more importanter
importantest
most importantest
most important
"Importantest" is not a word, and is an incorrect superlative form. The proper superlative form of "important" is "most important," which is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #531 : Correcting Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Kylie studied until morning in preparing her test stategy for the next exam.
in preparing her test strategy
to prepare her test strategy
for the preparation of her test strategy
in an effort to prepare her test strategy
for preparing her test strategy
to prepare her test strategy
This is an usual utilization of the word "preparing." Simply "to prepare" is more practical.
Example Question #1191 : Gmat Verbal
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Some writers use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors who previously wrote about similar themes.
tactfully use literary illusions to reference authors
use literary allusions to tactfully reference authors
use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors
use literary illusions tactfully to reference authors
tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors
tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors
An illusion is a hallucination, an image that isn’t really there. An allusion is a reference or citation, especially to/from another text. Also, there is a split infinitive; the adverb “tactfully” must be moved elsewhere in the sentence so the verb “to reference” is kept together.
Example Question #495 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Floridians often have to secure and fortify their homes in anticipation of an eminent costal hurricane.
as they anticipate an eminent costal hurricane
having to anticipate an imminent costal hurricane
anticipating an eminent costal hurricane
in anticipation of an imminent costal hurricane
in anticipation of an eminent costal hurricane
in anticipation of an imminent costal hurricane
Eminent means famous or well known, while imminent means threatening or looming. These two words sound identical in speech, but only imminent can describe a hurricane (unless it is a specific and famous hurricane in history, such as Hurricane Sandy).
Example Question #541 : Correcting Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
During the political debate, it was quite obvious whom the speaker’s insult was directed at.
at whom the speaker’s insult was directed
who the speaker’s insult was directed at
at who the speaker’s insult was directed
to who the speaker had directed his insult
whom the speaker’s insult was directed at
at whom the speaker’s insult was directed
In a grammatical sense, the person being insulted acts as an object, so we should use “whom” to describe him/her. Also, sentences should not be ended with prepositions, so the word “at” should be placed earlier on in the sentence.
Example Question #542 : Correcting Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
If you enter the contest, you could win a sneak peak at the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peak in the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peak at the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peak to the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peek at the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peek to the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peek at the fall fashion line.
In conventional usage, people take a peek “at” something, not “to” or “in” it. The word “peak” refers to a mountaintop; “peek” is the synonym for a glance or look.
Example Question #543 : Correcting Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion at the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion to the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning allusion to the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning allusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
An “illusion” is a trick; an “allusion” is a reference (often literary). Tricks and illusions are performed “for” audiences, not “to” or “at” them.
Example Question #242 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The politicians couldn't hardly believe their luck.
would not hardly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe his or her luck.
couldn't nearly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
We are looking for the answer choice without negation. "Could hardly believe their luck" is the only answer that does not contain a negative.
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