ACT English : Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1794 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
Some prescription drugs can produce dangerous interactions when combined with other chemicals, and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always be telling your physician about any medications you take at home.
but you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
although you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
This sentence contains an error in its logic of cause and effect. The first part of the sentence is the reason for the advice offered in the second part. So, you should change "and" to a word that demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship. Do not add a contrast word like "but" or "although" unless the sentence includes some sort of contradiction or opposition.
Example Question #1793 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes and was closed on Monday, I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, although I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, or I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
Based on the information in this sentence, we can infer that there is a cause-and-effect relationship: as a result of the highway being closed, the speaker had to take a different route to work. “So” is the only conjunction here that indicates cause and effect.
Example Question #11 : Subordinating 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."
He was constantly multitasking, eating and watching television, while he did his Calculus homework.
He was constantly multitasking, eating dinner, watching television, while he was doing his Calculus homework.
He was constantly multitasking and eating dinner, watching television while he was doing his Calculus homework.
He was constantly multitasking: he was eating dinner, then he was watching television, and while he was doing his Calculus homework.
NO CHANGE
He was constantly multitasking, eating dinner and watching television while doing his Calculus homework.
He was constantly multitasking, eating dinner and watching television while doing his Calculus homework.
The original problem uses "while" as a subordinating conjunction in a manner that compromises the parallelism related to the gerunds in the example of Gerald's multitasking. All of the incorrect answer choices somehow change the meaning of the original sentence; the correct answer choice also happens to be the most efficient method of communicating the example of Gerald's multitasking.
Example Question #12 : Subordinating 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."
Although grapefruit production has been negatively impacted by the recent cold weather, retail prices for grapefruit have risen dramatically.
Despite
Even though
Because
NO CHANGE
However
Because
The two clauses establish a cause-and-effect relationship; thus, "because" is the only correct coordinator.
Example Question #13 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
In the given sentence, which of the following subordinating conjunctions will MOST change the meaning of the sentence if substituted for the underlined word?
I want to buy a car once I have a high-paying job.
if
while
unless
because
as long as
unless
This question asks about the use of subordinate conjunctions, which join a subordinate clause to a main clause. The subordinate conjunction that would most change the meaning of the sentence is "unless," because the use of "unless" implies that the narrator will only buy a car if he does NOT have a high-paying job. All the other subordinate conjunctions express the causal connection between a high-paying job and the purchase of a car.
Example Question #14 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
Choose the answer that, if inserted in place of the underlined text, would most change the meaning of the sentence.
I wanted to eat a big meal so that I would not get hungry later.
because that way
in order that
even though
so
even though
This question asks you to analyze how different subordinating conjunctions change the meaning of a sentence. Subordinating conjunctions join a main clause to a subordinate clause. In this sentence, "so that," "so," "in order that," and "because that wzy" all convey the same meaning: eating a big meal is intended to prevent hunger in the future. The subordinating conjunction phrase "even though" reverses the sentence's meaning, implying that the narrator wants to eat a big meal despite the fact that future hunger is unlikely.
Example Question #291 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
It is important to be practical and thoughtful in the way in which spends one's money, even if spending money is also your passion. Although I love to shop, I still stay within a strict budget. It keeps my creditors at bay and my partner happy.
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."
Because
Even considering that
Despite the fact that
NO CHANGE
Even though
Because
This question asks you to interpret the meaning of different subordinating conjunctions in context. The subordinating conjunction "because" most changes the meaning of the sentence because it suggests that the narrator's love of shopping causes him/her to stay within his/her budget. All the other choices convey a contrast, suggesting that it is surprising that the narrator stays within his/her budget.
Example Question #292 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Adapted from "The Weakness, Unrest, and Defects of Man," from The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal (ed. 1901)
We care nothing for the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if we could make it move faster; or we call back the past, to stop its rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander through the times in which we have no part, unthinking of that which alone is ours; so frivolous are we that we dream of the days which are not and pass by without reflection those which alone exist. For the days of the present generally gives us pain; we conceal it from our sight because it afflicts us, and if it be pleasant, we regret to see it vanish away. We endeavor to sustain the present by the future, and think of arranging things not in our power, for a time at which we have no certainty of arriving.
If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future. We scarcely think of the present, and if we do so, it is only that we may borrow light from it to direct the future. The present is never our end; the past and the present are our means, the future alone is our end. Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out to be happy, it is inevitable that we can never be so.
Which of the following best translates the author’s usage of “as” bolded in the second sentence?
while
as being
like
akin to
as being
The sense of the sentence in question is that we anticipate the future and thus treat it as though it is coming too slowly. Another way that we could translate "as" here would be "as though it were..." In lieu of this longer phrase, "as being" is an adequate translation. The options indicating similarity or similitude are not appropriate in this context.
Example Question #1 : Other Conjunction Errors
Adapted from “The Fisherman and His Wife" in German Fairy Tales and Popular Stories by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm (trans. Taylor, ed. 1864)
The next morning, when Dame Ilsabill had awoke, it was broad daylight, and she jogged her husband, the fisherman, with her elbow, and said, "Get up husband and bestir yourself, for we must be king of all the land."
"Wife, wife," said the man, “why should we wish to be king? I will not be king."
"Then I will," said she.
"But, wife," said the fisherman, "how can you be king? The fish cannot make you a king."
“Husband," said she, "say no more about it; instead, go and try! I will be king." So the man went away quite sorrowful to think that his wife should want to be king. This time, the sea looked a dark gray color, and was overspread with curling waves and ridges of foam as he cried out, “O man of the sea! Hearken to me! My wife Ilsabill will have her own will, and hath sent me to beg a boon of thee!"
"Well, what would she have now," said the fish?
"Alas!" said the poor man, 'my wife wants to be king."
"Go home," said the fish, “for she is king already."
Then, the fisherman had went home. As he came close to the palace he saw a troop of soldiers, and heard the sound of drums and trumpets. When he went in, he saw his wife sitting on a high throne of gold and diamonds, with a golden crown upon her head. On each side of she stood six fair maidens, each a head taller than the other.
Which is the best form of the underlined selection?
NO CHANGE
king," so,
king." Next,
king." Therefore,
king." Therefore,
Since "so" is better used as an explicit conjunction (at least in the usage here), it would be better to clarify the relationship between the two sentences by introducing the latter with the meaning implied by the "so." The idea is that that the man's later actions were a consequence of his wife's words. However, this action is somewhat independent from his wife's remarks. It is not akin to saying: "She said these things so that he would leave . . ." To make this clear, it is best to leave these in two separate sentences, replacing "so" with "therefore." It was for that reason that the husband chose to leave. This keeps the thoughts separate and remedies the somewhat ambiguous use of "so."
Example Question #293 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Adapted from "The Weakness, Unrest, and Defects of Man," from The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal (ed. 1901)
We care nothing for the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if we could make it move faster; or we call back the past, to stop its rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander through the times in which we have no part, unthinking of that which alone is ours; so frivolous are we that we dream of the days which are not and pass by without reflection those which alone exist. For the days of the present generally gives us pain; we conceal it from our sight because it afflicts us, and if it be pleasant, we regret to see it vanish away. We endeavor to sustain the present by the future, and think of arranging things not in our power, for a time at which we have no certainty of arriving.
If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future. We scarcely think of the present, and if we do so, it is only that we may borrow light from it to direct the future. The present is never our end; the past and the present are our means, the future alone is our end. Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out to be happy, it is inevitable that we can never be so.
Which of the following is the best form of the bolded selection, “not in our power. . .”?
not in our power—for a time at which
not in our power; for a time at which
not in our power for a time at which
not in our power, for a time at which
not in our power for a time at which
The word "for" is being used as a preposition in this sentence, not as a conjunction. The comma might confuse the reader into thinking this is "for" is a conjunction. (This is doubly distracting, as it would also mean that the sentence is just a long string of compounded independent clauses. This would likely make the reader "stumble" in confusion as well.)
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