ACT English : Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Question #11 : Correlative Conjunction Errors
Adapted from “Emerson’s Prose Works” in The Works of Orestes A. Brownson: Philosophy of Religion by Orestes Brownson (ed. 1883)
Mr. Emersons literary reputation is established and placed beyond the reach of criticism. No living writer surpasses him in his mastery of pure and classic English; nor do any equal him—neither in the exquisite delicacy and finish of his chiseled sentences, or in the metallic ring of his style. It is only as a thinker and teacher that we can venture any inquiry into his merits; and as such we cannot suffer ourselves to be imposed upon by his oracular manner, nor by the apparent originality either of his views or his expressions.
Mr. Emerson has had a swarm both of admirers but also of detractors. With many, he is a philosopher and sage, almost a god; while with others, he is regarded as an unintelligible mystic, babbling nonsense fitted to captivate beardless young men and silly maidens with pretty curls, all of who constituted years ago the great body of his hearers and worshipers. We rank us in neither class, though we regard he as no ordinary man. Indeed, we believe he to be one of the deepest thinkers as well as one of the first poets of our country. Indeed, by long acquaintance have him and us been in mutual contact—if only from a distance at times. We know him to be a polished gentleman, a genial companion, and a warmhearted friend, whose' kindness does not pass over individuals and waste itself in a vague philanthropy. So much, at least, we can say of the man, and this do we base not only upon former personal acquaintance and upon our former study of his writings.
What is the best form of the bolded selection "Neither in the exquisite delicacy and finish of his chiseled sentences, or in the metallic ring of his style"?
neither in the exquisite delicacy and finish of his chiseled sentences or in the metallic ring of his style
neither in the exquisite delicacy and finish of his chiseled sentences, nor in the metallic ring of his style
NO CHANGE
neither in the exquisite delicacy and finish of his chiseled sentences, and in the metallic ring of his style
neither in the exquisite delicacy and finish of his chiseled sentences, nor in the metallic ring of his style
The issue here is the use of the correlative conjunctions, "Neither . . . nor." The sentence does not use "nor" properly. The "or" should be replaced with "nor."
Example Question #251 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Adapted from “Emerson’s Prose Works” in The Works of Orestes A. Brownson: Philosophy of Religion by Orestes Brownson (ed. 1883)
Mr. Emersons literary reputation is established and placed beyond the reach of criticism. No living writer surpasses him in his mastery of pure and classic English; nor do any equal him—neither in the exquisite delicacy and finish of his chiseled sentences, or in the metallic ring of his style. It is only as a thinker and teacher that we can venture any inquiry into his merits; and as such we cannot suffer ourselves to be imposed upon by his oracular manner, nor by the apparent originality either of his views or his expressions.
Mr. Emerson has had a swarm both of admirers but also of detractors. With many, he is a philosopher and sage, almost a god; while with others, he is regarded as an unintelligible mystic, babbling nonsense fitted to captivate beardless young men and silly maidens with pretty curls, all of who constituted years ago the great body of his hearers and worshipers. We rank us in neither class, though we regard he as no ordinary man. Indeed, we believe he to be one of the deepest thinkers as well as one of the first poets of our country. Indeed, by long acquaintance have him and us been in mutual contact—if only from a distance at times. We know him to be a polished gentleman, a genial companion, and a warmhearted friend, whose' kindness does not pass over individuals and waste itself in a vague philanthropy. So much, at least, we can say of the man, and this do we base not only upon former personal acquaintance and upon our former study of his writings.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
both of admirers or of detractors
both of admirers and not of detractors
both admirers and with detractors
NO CHANGE
both of admirers and of detractors
both of admirers and of detractors
The problem in this selection is the use of the correlative conjunction set "both . . . and . . ." As written, the sentence incorrectly uses "but also." Note, however, that the form, "Both of admirers and not of detractors" also is incorrect because of the immediate negation ("not") after "and."
Example Question #13 : Correlative Conjunction Errors
Today, most Americans are familiar with the idea of purchasing music and movies online. While a number of these users continue to download these media files illegally, the overall public conscience had changed regarding this matter. Early in the history of digital media, most were far less certain about the legality and illegality of downloading such files. Today, matters are quite different, not only because of several important lawsuits but, indeed, because of the overall growth of relative inexpensive means of purchasing such digital content. This change of conscience has been accompanied by a simultaneously change in culture regarding online file-sharing. In the early days of illegal file-sharing, users would regularly host servers that were overtly and publically visible to users and potential enforcement personnel. Today, however, people utilize a number of carefully planned modes of obfuscation. Using encryption, indirection, and other means the contemporary illegal file-sharer shows clear awareness of the fact that their activity is illegal.
What is the best form of the bolded selection?
not only because of several important lawsuits nor because of the overall growth of relative inexpensive means of purchasing such digital content
not only because of several important lawsuits but instead because of the overall growth of relative inexpensive means of purchasing such digital content
not only because of several important lawsuits but also because of the overall growth of relative inexpensive means of purchasing such digital content
not only because of several important lawsuits but, indeed, because of the overall growth of relative inexpensive means of purchasing such digital content
not only because of several important lawsuits but also because of the overall growth of relative inexpensive means of purchasing such digital content
The expression "not only" functions as a correlative conjunction with the expression "but also." It indicates two things that are gathered together, drawing attention to the fact that there is a second thing under consideration. Here, the two reasons for increased awareness are:
(1) "several important lawsuits"
(2) "the overall growth of inexpensive means of sharing content"
Example Question #14 : Correlative Conjunction Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Dogs are known for being very friendly, and cats are thought to be more aloof.
so
moreover
but
inasmuch
NO CHANGE
but
The first part and second part of the sentence are both independent clauses; they also demonstrate a contrast; therefore, "but" is the apropriate conjunction in this situation.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Correlative Conjunction 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.
In Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights, the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must make a choice between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have to be choosing between true love either or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have chosen between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.
Only answer choice "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence" correctly uses "and" with the preposition "between."
The other answer choices, including the original text "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence," contain an incorrect idiomatic expression. When we have "between," we typically need the word "and"—rather than "or"—to separate the entities that follow.
Example Question #252 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.
When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but also polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.
When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, also polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.
When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, although polar bears, iguanas, and toucans too.
When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, and polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.
When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.
When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but also polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.
In standard English, when you use the phrase "not only" in a sentence, it should be followed by the phrase "but also." So, the correct answer is "When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but also polar bears, iguanas, and toucans."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 remake of the film was neither enjoyable and definitely not faithful to the original film.
nor were it faithful to the original film
and definitely not faithful to the original film
and it wasn't even faithful to the original film
nor faithful to the original film
nor was it faithful to the original film
nor faithful to the original film
When "neither" is used in a sentence, "nor" should follow it, creating the structure "neither X nor Y," where X and Y are items formatted in the same manner. To correct the sentence, we need to change "and definitely not" to "nor." Several answer choices do this: "nor faithful to the original film," "nor were it faithful to the original film," and "nor was it faithful to the original film." "Nor were it faithful to the original film" and "nor was it faithful to the original film" might each look like potentially correct answers, but each introduces a verb that disrupts the parallel structure of "neither X nor Y," in which "nor" should be immediately followed by "faithful to the original film." The correct answer is thus "nor faithful to the original film," making the corrected sentence, "The remake of the film was neither enjoyable nor faithful to the original film."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Correlative Conjunction 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.
After Jonas graduates from high school, his father hopes that Jonas will either attend college nor join the army to learn a skill.
Jonas will neither attend college or join the army to learn a skill
Jonas will either attend college nor join the army to learn a skill
Jonas will either attend college or join the army to learn a skill
Jonas will either attend college or joining the army to learn a skill
Jonas will either attend college and join the army to learn a skill
Jonas will either attend college or join the army to learn a skill
Correlative conjunctions are used in specific pairs: "either" must be paired with "or" and "neither" must be paired with "nor" when you want to use them as correlative conjunctions. When using these correlative conjunctions, it is also important to remember to use parallel phrasing with each element that is being associated through the use of the conjunction.
Example Question #21 : Correlative Conjunction 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 teacher reprimanded his class, saying that he was neither pleased with their poor work nor was he willing to accept their rowdy behavior.
saying that he was neither pleased with their poor work or willing to accept their rowdy behavior.
saying that he was neither pleased with their poor work nor willing to accept their rowdy behavior.
saying that neither was he pleased with their poor work nor was willing to accept their rowdy behavior.
saying that he was neither pleased with their poor work nor was he willing to accept their rowdy behavior.
saying that he was pleased neither with their poor work nor willing to accept their rowdy behavior.
saying that he was neither pleased with their poor work nor willing to accept their rowdy behavior.
The correlative conjunctions “neither” and “nor” belong together. In "neither . . . nor" sentences, the two options (“pleased with their poor work” and “willing to accept their rowdy behavior”) must be presented in a grammatically parallel way so that the words following “neither” and the words following “nor” are parallel phrases.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
She told her children that she would take them to either the toy store or to the ice cream parlor if they finished all their chores on time.
she would take them either to the toy store or to the ice cream parlor
she would take them to either the toy store and the ice cream parlor
she would either take them to the toy store or to the ice cream parlor
she would either take them to the toy store or the ice cream parlor
she would take them to either the toy store or to the ice cream parlor
she would take them either to the toy store or to the ice cream parlor
The correlative conjunctions “either” and “or” get paired together here. In "either . . . or" sentences, the two options being discussed (in this case, going to the toy store and going to the ice cream parlor) must be presented in a grammatically parallel way so that the words following “either” and the words following “or” are parallel phrases. In this case, “to the toy store” and “to the ice cream parlor” are the only options that are parallel; otherwise, you’re comparing apples and oranges.
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