ACT English : Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
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.
In the future, not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed to go outside without asking the teacher for permission.
not Ellen and not Marcia is allowed
neither Ellen nor Marcia are allowed
not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed
neither Ellen and Marcia are allowed
neither Ellen nor Marcia is allowed
neither Ellen nor Marcia is allowed
The correct form for this sentence is "neither . . . nor." In addition, "neither . . .nor" leads to use of the singular form "is" rather than "are."
Example Question #21 : 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."
The oblivious cashier continued to ignore both the increasing line of customers at his register or his manager's requests to speed things up.
NO CHANGE.
neither the increasing line of customers at his register or his manager's requests to speed things up.
both the increasing line of customers at his register and his manager's requests to speed things up.
either the increasing line of customers at his register and his manager's requests to speed things up.
both the increasing line of customers at his register, his manager's requests to speed things up.
both the increasing line of customers at his register and his manager's requests to speed things up.
The correct pair of correlative conjunctions to use here is "both/and." The other options listed here are either mismatched or inappropriate for the situation.
Example Question #23 : Conjunction Errors
Choose the grammatically correct version of each sentence.
His wife's ultimatum aggravated him: "Either you take that puppy back to the pet store and if not you'll spend the night in the doghouse."
"Either take that puppy back to the pet store and you will spend the night in the doghouse."
NO CHANGE
"Either take that puppy back to the pet store and you will spend the night in the doghouse."
"Either you will take that puppy back to the pet store or you would spend the night in the doghouse."
"Either you take that puppy back to the pet store or you spend the night in the doghouse."
"Either you take that puppy back to the pet store or you spend the night in the doghouse."
This is simply a matter of creating the appropriate parallelism using the correct correlative conjunction pair: "Either...or...". Note that the syntax of phrase following the word "or" in the correct answer mirrors that following the word "Either." The correct correlative conjunction pair is ALWAYS "either ... or," no other option can be correct.
Example Question #22 : 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."
Either the blue skirt or the purple dresses is on sale this weekend.
they will be on sale
are on sale
is to be on sale
is going to be on sale
NO CHANGE
are on sale
When two subjects are joined by correlative conjunctions "either....or" the verb that follows must agree with the second one. In this case the second subject, the purple dresses, is plural so the verb should be the plural "are" instead of "is."
Example Question #27 : Correlative Conjunction Errors
“Mathematics and Learning”
What subject should be learned first? The question rightly troubles anyone who’s interest is in education. Of course, young children often must learn in a very basic and rote fashion, applying their apt memorization skills to simple tasks that will serve them very well in later years when they go one to apply such knowledge to more complex topics. However, when the time comes to designing curricula, an important question must be answered for older students, namely “What is most important first topic in these students’s education?”
An argument can be made for the use of mathematics as a tool for teaching students how to reason more clearly. This is not because mathematics is the basis of all knowledge. Indeed not. There are many important subjects including not only the humanities like poetry and history but sciences like biology and physiology too. These topics are not strictly speaking mathematical in nature, even though mathematics can be used in it in many ways.
Our minds are best geared for learning things that we can sense, things that are visible and tangible. Although mathematics is abstract, it can begin with this kind of sense derived experience. Beginning with simple everyday examples, children can be taught the more abstract and difficult skills that must be learned for the sake of the development of mathematical skills. In the process of learning these topics, the children will begin to learn important rules about reasoning. He or she will learn how several propositions can serve as the basis for conclusions. They will learn how certain properties are related to various geometric figures and arithmetical rules. Although much of this will be memorized at first, with time, they will have the opportunity to see that human reasoning in mathematical subjects is orderly and logical. On the basis of such “logical experience,” young learners can then begin to be taught the rules of logic that they have been using all along. As the medievals used to say, they could go from logica utens, logic used in other subjects, to logica docens logic taught, as a unique, and separate subject.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
NO CHANGE
not only the humanities like poetry, and history, but sciences like biology, and physiology too
not only the humanities like poetry and history but also sciences like biology and physiology too
not only the humanities like poetry and history but indeed sciences like biology and physiology too
not only the humanities like poetry and history, but sciences like biology and physiology too
not only the humanities like poetry and history but also sciences like biology and physiology too
Whenever you use the expression "not only," you should then include a correlated expression "but also." You are trying to express that not only one thing is involved but, in fact, another thing is also involved. Hence, in this sentence, we are concerned not only with poetry and history "but also" with sciences like biology and physiology.
Example Question #261 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Although Chris has explained his financial situation many times to his parents, but they seemingly fail to comprehend how dire it has become.
because they
however they
so they
NO CHANGE
they
they
The word "although" at the beginning of the sentence creates a subordinate clause which must be linked to a main clause with a comma.
Conjunctions like "but" and "so" should be used to join two main clauses.
"However" would create redundancy.
"Because" would create another subordinate clause and thus make the sentence a fragment.
Example Question #1771 : 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."
Neither the cactuses nor the seedlings grew well under the low-light conditions.
Neither the cactuses or the seedlings
Either the cactuses or the seedlings
Either the cactuses nor the seedlings
The cactuses or the seedlings
NO CHANGE
NO CHANGE
This question asks about the use of correlative conjunctions, which come in pairs and must both be used in the sentence. The correlative conjunctions "neither...nor" are correctly used in this sentence to express negation. The use of "either" and "or" would incorrectly suggest positivity.
Example Question #1771 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Josh suffered from a fear of dogs ever since he is a little boy. He would shiver in his boots thinking of a dog barking at him, biting him, or that could chase him. He had never met a single dog he liked. The scarier dog he had ever seen was Mr. Green’s dog, whom he had to pass every day. On his way to school. This dog barked so loudly it made Josh’s hairs stand on end.
She said that there was no need to be afraid. Josh’s mom told him that dogs only barked because they were excited to see him. She told him that he just needed to be confident and not act afraid of this dogs’ barking, and speak in a reassuring tone. Then the dog would quiet down and act more friendly.
Josh felt that neither confidence or a reassuring tone would make any difference. He didn’t think he would ever get over his fear. However, one day he had enough. Barking for hours, he realized the dog was bored and just needed a friend. He wasn’t sure if his mother’s advice would prove true? Hiding his fear, he approached the dog and spoke to it in a reassuring tone. To his surprise, the dog wagged it’s tail and quieted down right away.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, select "NO CHANGE."
either confidence nor a reassuring tone
NO CHANGE
not confidence and not a reassuring tone either
neither confidence nor a reassuring tone
either confidence or a reassuring tone
neither confidence nor a reassuring tone
This question asks you about the correct use of correlative conjunctions. The correlative conjunctions "neither...nor" are used to express negation, and both should be used together. It is not correct to use "or" with "neither," or "either" with "nor." This sentence requires negative correlative conjunctions, so the form "neither confidence nor a reassuring tone" is correct.
Example Question #1771 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the text. If the underlined portion is correct as written, select “NO CHANGE.”
I would prefer that you take a train rather than driving. Not only will it be faster, you will save money on gas.
Not only will it be faster, in addition you will save money on gas.
Not only will it be faster. You will save money on gas.
Not only will it be faster, but also you will save money on gas.
NO CHANGE
It will be faster, you will save money on gas.
Not only will it be faster, but also you will save money on gas.
This question asks about the correct use of correlative conjunctions, which connect equal grammatical terms. The correlative conjunctions "not only... but also..." should be used together to ensure that the sentence's meaning is clear. In the original sentence, the lack of the second correlative conjunction phrase, "but also," creates a run-on sentence.
Example Question #1771 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Are you trying to stick to a budget? Using coupons for purchases, also known as “couponing” is a great way to save money on groceries. Coupons are a little piece of paper that can give you a discount on what you buy. You will be amazed at the great bargains and amazing savings you can get!
It’s easy to get started. When you open up your daily newspaper, one might find a glossy insert full of coupons. Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy, some will be for things you buy all the time. Go through the coupons and chop out the ones you can use.
The key to successful couponing is getting multiple copies of coupon circulars. Ask your friends, your neighbors, and family if they have any extras. Some coupon users even go through the recycling at their office to find more coupons! Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life! Completely devoted, these circulars help coupon users to get even more savings.
Couponing might sound like hard work, but for many people, it’s also a hobby. Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, but also it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
It does help them save hundreds of dollars per year, it also gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, and it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
NO CHANGE
Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year. It gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
NO CHANGE
This question asks you to select the correct correlative conjunctions to use in a sentence. This sentence is correct as written, making use of the correlative conjunctions "not only... but also" to express inclusion. These correlative conjunctions should be included in the same sentence, and both should be used.
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