ACT English : Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Conjunction Errors
“Bach and German Hymnody”
[31] The great German composer, Johann Sebastian Bach was a member of a prodigiously talented musical family. [32] A significant number of Johann Sebastians ancestors and descendants were musicians of various levels of talent. [33] Although he was known for music of a variety of forms, one of his most enduring legacies is the repertoire of chorale music by which he improved and solidified the world of German congregational singing.
During the period after the Protestant Reformation, a number of hymns were written for use in the common worship of the Christians of the time. [34] The structured form of these compositions were well suited for congregational singing although they would sound strange to our contemporary ears. [35] The harmonies and meters of these hymns are very close in character to the music with which we are familiar. They lack some of the standard structural elements that we take for granted in this form of organized [36] Western music, these small differences would stand out to our sensibilities.
It was the great glory of Johann Sebastian Bach to have harmonized a great number of these hymns, often penning multiple such harmonies. [37] One solitary single melody might be made by Bach into three, four, or even five different harmonic compositions. [38] This amazing feat of musical prowess is no small addition to the original behest of Lutheran hymns that Bach had inherited from his fellow religious brethren. [39] Many of these harmonies remain to this day as classic renditions of these songs. [40] They are sung not only in the German world but in Protestant and Catholic services. [41] Indeed they are even sung in wholly secular concerts thanks to their great beauty!
Interestingly enough, Bach was more recognized as a talented performer, rather than composer, of music in his own lifetime. While he was still composing, knowledge of Bach’s work was limited to music connoisseurs who happened to be physically near places [42] he lived and worked. It was not until the early 19th century, when the first biography of Bach was published, that academic and popular interest [43] truly picked up steam. In the two centuries that followed, his works have continued to proliferate in both religious and purely musical contexts.
This great diffusion of one mans’ work is a testament to his prodigious talent. [44] It also stands as a testament to the fact that Bach’s work came at a pivotal time when the Protestant hymnody was crystallizing, as well as when Western harmonies were coming into a particular expression that is known as the Baroque. [45]
Choose the answer that best corrects section [40].
They are sung not only in the German world, but in Protestant and Catholic services.
NO CHANGE
They are sung not only in the German world but also in Protestant and Catholic services.
They are sung not only in the German world, but also, in Protestant and Catholic services.
They are sung not only in the German world but also in Protestant and Catholic services.
The problem with this selection is its use of the correlative conjunctions "not only . . . but also." As written, the sentence lacks the word "also." This should be added to complete the form of the pairing. No commas are necessary for this construction, as this is merely a compound set of prepositions, not of independent clauses.
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, select “NO CHANGE.”
If neither John, whose job it usually is, or his brother want to go out and pick up the pizza, we'll have to get it delivered.
not John, whose job it usually is, and not his brother
NO CHANGE
neither John, whose job it usually is, nor his brother
either John, whose job it usually is, or his brother
neither John, whose job it usually is, but also his brother
neither John, whose job it usually is, nor his brother
This question asks you about the correct use of correlative conjunctions. The correlative conjunctions "neither...nor" and "either...or" should always be used together. The original sentence is incorrect because it combines "neither" with "or." The key is to figure out which correlative conjunctions we need. This sentence is expressing negativity--John and his brother might both have a desire not to pick up the pizza--so the correct correlative conjunctions to use are "neither" and "nor."
Example Question #1781 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Let's go over our options. We interviewed three dozen candidates, and we found two who you deemed worthy of consideration. Even in the face of your extreme pickiness, we have nothing but good options. Neither John nor Melanie would struggle to do this job well; it doesn't matter who you select.
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."
Not John and not Melanie
John nor Melanie
NO CHANGE
Either John or Melanie
John or Melanie
NO CHANGE
This question asks you to identify the correct use of correlative conjunctions. The correlative conjunctions "neither...nor" are correctly used here to indicate that the people mentioned would not struggle with the job.
Example Question #32 : Correlative Conjunction Errors
“Justice and Parents”
We tend to think of justice as a matter of strict equality. For example if someone wants to buy an item, they are understandably expected to pay an amount that is roughly equal to its value. Likewise, when a law declares that the penalty for speeding is $150, it is considered just that one who breaks this law pays the fine. However, justice can also pertain to matters that are beyond mere equality.
An obvious example of this is the case of the relationship between children and their parents. Unlike the cases discussed earlier, children will have had little opportunity to repay they’re parents for all that they have done for them. Technically speaking, strict “equality” would require the child to give birth to the parents. This is an absurd thing to suggest. Similarly absurd is the suggestion that children should directly repay the rearing offered by parents. Once again, strict equality cannot occur in the child-parent relationship.
However, there is a kind of justice between children and his or her parents. For example, when a parent ages and is in need of assistance, if the adult child can provide assistance but refuses to do so. This is a kind of injustice to the parents. On a more positive note. For example, an adult child might send his parents on a cruise in memory of their anniversary. Such an action would be a kind of “justice” done to the parents—at least in that it recognizes the immense debt that is owed by the child to the parents in question.
In these (and many other cases), justice is less about equality than it is about paying what one can pay. That is, in such cases, both justice or injustice is determined by worthiness that surpasses mere equality. This kind of justice could be called justice above justice. That is, it is a kind of justice that surpasses the “normal” justice of equality. Such acts of justice ensure that society does not become reduced to the cold calculation of equality but, instead, has the warmth of true affection and loving gratitude.
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."
That is, in such cases, both justice and injustice is determined
NO CHANGE
That is, in such cases, both justice, and injustice is determined
That is, in such cases, both justice and, injustice, is determined
That is, in such cases, both justice / injustice is determined
That is, in such cases, both justice and injustice is determined
As written, this sentence misuses the correlative conjunction construction "both . . . and." It is written, "both . . . or," which is quite wrong. Several options swap out "or," replacing it with "and." They add commas where they are not needed. All you need is a simple "and."
Example Question #32 : Correlative Conjunction Errors
For decades large American corporations have outsourced (1) its workers, (2) especially in the manufacturing realm, in order to save money that could be spent paying American workers for the same job. Workers in foreign countries, especially those that contain a highly populated urban population as in Eastern Asia, are willing to work much longer hours for far less money than American workers. In addition,these foreign workers are not protected by as many labor laws. If a company’s primary desire is to maximize profit, (3) so outsourcing jobs is the most obvious and convenient solution. That is, until stories of unfair labor practices (4) begin circulating. Technological advancements in mass media communication (5) having been able to facilitate the process of raising awareness of important issues, including violation of basic human rights in the workplace.
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."
obviously
NO CHANGE
since
then
then
"If" must always be followed by "then." "So" and "since" do not emphasize the conditional statement, and "obviously" is redundant and informal.
Example Question #1782 : 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."
Abraham Lincoln only spoke for four minutes at Gettysburg, however, his words influenced the future of the United States for the next several decades.
NO CHANGE
so,
because
but
moreover,
but
The sentence joins two main clauses with comma and thus requires a conjunction, one of the seven "FANBOYS". "However" and "Moreover" are correlative coordinators that require a preceding semi-colon. The two clauses present a contrast, not a cause and effect; therefore, "so" is the wrong coordinator.
Example Question #1 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
Adapted from “The Nose Tree” in German Fairy Tales and Popular Stories by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm (trans. Taylor, ed. 1864)
Then the king made known to all his kingdom, that whomever would heal her of this dreadful disease should be richly rewarded. Many tried, but the princess got no relief. Now the old soldier dressed himself up very sprucely as a doctor, and said he could cure her. Therefore, he chopped up some of the apple, and, to punish her a little more, gave her a dose, saying he would call to-morrow and see her again. The morrow came, and, of course, instead of being better, the nose had been growing on all night as before; and the poor princess was in a dreadful fright. So the doctor then chopped up a very little of the pear and gave it to her. He said that he was sure that it would help, and he would call again the next day. Next day came, and the nose was to be sure a little smaller. However, it was bigger than when the doctor first began to meddle with it.
Then he thought to him, "I must frighten this cunning princess a little more before I am able to get what I want from her." Therefore, he gave her another dose of the apple and said he would call on the morrow. The morrow came, and the nose was ten times bad as before.
"My good lady," said the doctor, "Something works against my medicine and is to strong for it. However, I know by the force of my art that it is this, you have stolen goods about you. I am certain of it. If you do not give them back, I can do nothing for you."
The princess denied very stoutly that she had anything of the kind.
"Very well," said the doctor, "you may do as you please, but I am sure I am correct. You will die if you do not own it." Then he went to the king, and told him how the matter stood.
"Daughter," said he, "send back the cloak, the purse, and the horn, that you stole from the right owners."
Then she ordered her maid to fetch all three and gave them to the doctor, and begged him to give them back to the soldiers. The moment he had them safe, he gave her a whole pear to eat, and the nose came right. And as for the doctor, he put on the cloak, wished the king and all his court a good day and was soon with his two brothers. They lived from that time happily at home in their palace, except when they took an airing to see the world in their coach with their three dapple-grey horses.
What is the proper form of the underlined selection, "known to all his kingdom, that"?
known to all his kingdom; that
known to all his kingdom that
known to all his kingdom: that
NO CHANGE
known to all his kingdom that
The word "that" is here being used as a conjunction that introduces an indirect quotation. You could write this sentence in a form like: Then the king spoke to all his kingdom, "Etc . . ." However, as used here, "that" introduces the clause describing indirectly what he said to the kingdom. This requires no comma, as it is a necessary part of the main clause, helping to specify exactly what he made known to the kingdom.
Example Question #33 : Conjunction Errors
Adapted from “The Nose Tree” in German Fairy Tales and Popular Stories by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm (trans. Taylor, ed. 1864)
Then the king made known to all his kingdom, that whomever would heal her of this dreadful disease should be richly rewarded. Many tried, but the princess got no relief. Now the old soldier dressed himself up very sprucely as a doctor, and said he could cure her. Therefore, he chopped up some of the apple, and, to punish her a little more, gave her a dose, saying he would call to-morrow and see her again. The morrow came, and, of course, instead of being better, the nose had been growing on all night as before; and the poor princess was in a dreadful fright. So the doctor then chopped up a very little of the pear and gave it to her. He said that he was sure that it would help, and he would call again the next day. Next day came, and the nose was to be sure a little smaller. However, it was bigger than when the doctor first began to meddle with it.
Then he thought to him, "I must frighten this cunning princess a little more before I am able to get what I want from her." Therefore, he gave her another dose of the apple and said he would call on the morrow. The morrow came, and the nose was ten times bad as before.
"My good lady," said the doctor, "Something works against my medicine and is to strong for it. However, I know by the force of my art that it is this, you have stolen goods about you. I am certain of it. If you do not give them back, I can do nothing for you."
The princess denied very stoutly that she had anything of the kind.
"Very well," said the doctor, "you may do as you please, but I am sure I am correct. You will die if you do not own it." Then he went to the king, and told him how the matter stood.
"Daughter," said he, "send back the cloak, the purse, and the horn, that you stole from the right owners."
Then she ordered her maid to fetch all three and gave them to the doctor, and begged him to give them back to the soldiers. The moment he had them safe, he gave her a whole pear to eat, and the nose came right. And as for the doctor, he put on the cloak, wished the king and all his court a good day and was soon with his two brothers. They lived from that time happily at home in their palace, except when they took an airing to see the world in their coach with their three dapple-grey horses.
What is the best form of the underlined selection, "it would help, and he would"?
it would help; and he would
NO CHANGE
it would help and he would
it would help and that he would
it would help and that he would
There are two indirect statements being made by the "doctor" in this sentence:
1. That he was sure that it would help
2. That he would call on the next day
To make it clear that this is a compound set of indirect statements, use an additional "that" as the appropriate conjunction to indicate the fact. Otherwise, it is possible to misunderstand exactly what is being connected by the conjunction "and."
Example Question #3 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
Adapted from The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1774; trans. Boylan 1854)
Wilhelm, what is the world to our hearts without love. What is a magic-lantern without light? You have but too kindle the flame within, and the brightest figures shine on the white wall; and, were love only to show us fleeting shadows, we are yet happy, when, like mere children, we behold it, and are transported with the splendid phantoms. I have not been able to see Charlotte today. I was prevented by company from which I could not disengage myself. What was to be done? I sent my servant to her house, that I might at least see somebody today whom had been near her. Oh, the impatience with which I waited for his return! Oh, the joy with which I welcomed him. I should certainly have caught him in my arms and kissed him, if I had not been ashamed.
It is said that the Bonona stone, when placed in the sun, attracts its rays and for a time appears luminous in the dark. So was it with me and this servant. The idea that Charlotte's eyes had dwelt on his countenance, his cheek, his very apparel, endeared it all inestimably to me so that, at that moment, I would not have parted from him for a thousand crowns. His presence made me so happy! Beware of laughing at me, Wilhelm. Can that be a delusion which makes us happy?
Which of the following is a clearer form of the sentence, "Can that be a delusion which makes us happy"?
NO CHANGE
Is that a delusion which makes us happy?
Can that which makes us happy be a delusion?
Would that which is a delusion make us happy?
Can that which makes us happy be a delusion?
Do not change the overall sense of the sentence in answering this question. Among the wrong answers, this happens in the case of "Would that which is a delusion make us happy?" In the original, the author was asking whether something which makes us happy would be able to be a delusion—not vice-versa. As written, the sentence awkwardly separates the relative clause "that which makes us happy" by placing "be a delusion" between "that" and "which." It would be better to keep the relative clause together, giving us the form, "Can that which makes us happy be a delusion?"
Example Question #41 : Conjunction Errors
Which of the following sentences incorrectly uses a subordinating conjunction?
All of these sentences are correct.
They could not see where they were going.
None of these sentences are correct.
They had to whisper because it was late.
Although it was raining, they went hiking.
All of these sentences are correct.
There are two appropriate sentence structures using subordinate clauses:
1.) "Independent Clause + Subordinate Clause"
2.) "Subordinate Clause + Comma + Independent Clause"
All of the answer choices conform to one of the two structures. "They could not see where they were going" follows the first rule (with "where" being the subordinating conjunction), as does "They had to whisper because it was late" (with "because" being the subordinating conjunction). "Although it was raining, they went hiking" follows the second structure (with "although" being the coordinating conjunction).
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