ACT English : Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Conjunction Errors

Select the correct form of the underlined portion of the sentence. If it is correct as it is, select "NO CHANGE."

At the grocery store, I bought kale, salsa, strawberries, and then I impulsively added chocolate bars.

Possible Answers:

salsa, strawberries, impulsively added chocolate bars.

salsa, strawberries, chocolate bars.

salsa, and strawberries, I impulsively added chocolate bars.

salsa, and strawberries, and then I impulsively added chocolate bars.

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

salsa, and strawberries, and then I impulsively added chocolate bars.

Explanation:

"I impulsively added chocolate bars" is an independent clause introduced by "and then," which correctly follows a comma; however, the first independent clause is not correctly formatted in the original sentence. Consider it alone: "At the grocery store, I bought kale, salsa, strawberries." An "and" needs to follow the comma after "salsa" for the sentence to be grammatically correct.

Example Question #62 : Conjunction Errors

Select the correct form of the underlined portion of the sentence. If it is correct as it is, select "NO CHANGE."

Alyssa and Jordan returned from their travels abroad with a new pen pal, a friend who they met shortly after arriving at their hostel.

Possible Answers:

whom they met

whom met them

which they met

they met him

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

whom they met

Explanation:

The personal pronoun "who" is an object of the verb "met," so it needs to be in its objective form, "whom," not its subjective form, "who." You would say "they met him," ("him" being an objective personal pronoun) not "they met he," ("he" being a subjective personal pronoun), so use "whom" instead of "who."

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.

The last time it snowed, that was in February, my dad lost control of his car and hit a tree.

Possible Answers:

snowed, February was the month,

snowed, which was in February,

snows, that was in February,

snowed, it was in February,

was snowing, that was in February,

Correct answer:

snowed, which was in February,

Explanation:

This is a case in which we need to decide whether to use the word "which" or "that" to introduce the clause set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. "That" is used to introduce information absolutely necessary to the sentence's meaning, whereas "which" is used to introduce information that would not change the sentence's meaning if it were removed from the sentence. Information that is not crucial to the sentence's meaning is usually set apart by commas.

In this case, the sentence "The last time it snowed, my dad lost control of his car and hit a tree" still makes sense, so we know that the information included between the commas isn't absolutely necessary to the sentence's meaning. Plus, the information in question is being set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. So, we should use "which," and not "that."

Example Question #63 : 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."

She always brought multiple items when she went shopping, but it was rare for her to come home without bags full of dresses, blouses, pants, and shoes.

Possible Answers:

so

NO CHANGE

nor

since

Correct answer:

so

Explanation:

"But" doesn't make sense in this sentence, because it implies that the second part of the sentence contradicts the first, which it does not. "Nor" cannot be used as a conjunction by itself without the corresponding word "neither," and does not make grammatical sense in this context. "Since" implies that the second statement explains the first one, which isn't the case here. The best answer is "so," which implies that the second statement is explained by the first, which it is: since she always bought many things, it would be rare for her to come home without many things.

Example Question #64 : 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."

I will graduate in May, and I have already started working at a company; since, I do not know if I will still be working at the same company in May.

Possible Answers:

therefore

next

however

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

however

Explanation:

"Since" does not make any sense in the sentence as it is written, but "however" makes sense, because it emphasizes a point that disrupts what was stated in the first clause, in this case, an assumption that the speaker would still be working at the company at which they are currently working.

Example Question #1 : 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.

The weather forecast predicted snow for today, and it is raining.

Possible Answers:

predicted snow for today, but it is

predicted it to be snowing today, and it is

predicted snow around today, and it is 

predicted snow, for today and it is

predicted snow for today, and it is

Correct answer:

predicted snow for today, but it is

Explanation:

Because the second independent clause contradicts the first in this compound sentence it is more correct to separate the two with the conjunction "but," not "and."

Example Question #1811 : Correcting Grammatical 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."

Possible Answers:

America's workers

NO CHANGE

it's workers

their workers

Correct answer:

their workers

Explanation:

The subject of this sentence is "corporations," which is plural; therefore, "their" is the only possible answer that maintains possession while still indicating that the subject is plural, not singular.

Example Question #61 : Conjunction Errors

Second language acquisition has already been positively correlated to increased cognitive flexibility (1): what has yet to be investigated is the correlation between cultural literacy—as a potential result of second language acquisition—and the facilitation of social relationships on the individual and community levels, academic and career success, and personal cultural enrichment. Cultural literacy may be (2) viewed as a deepest sense of foreign language study, as it encompasses all facets of culture rather than just language. If these positive correlations are accurately established (3) , the United State's education system and (4) its lack of priority given to foreign language studies must be reevaluated. Vastly extending foreign language requirements would allow individuals not only the obvious benefit of communicating in more than one language, (5) but also from greater academic success in high school, college, and the workplace, as well as less multicultural tension in social and professional arenas. (6) As the global market continues to be vital to the economic prosperity of nations, and immigration trends change their cultural make-up, (7) both linguistic and cultural understanding and awareness is essential.

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."

Possible Answers:

and also

but also of

but also 

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

but also of

Explanation:

Parallelism between "not only" and "but also" is required. One cannot say "not only...and." Additionally, the preposition in "the benefit OF communicating" must be parallel to the benefit "OF greater academic success."

Example Question #301 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors

“On the Nature of Belief”

Belief and faith often are critiqued in a scientific culture.  It can seem that mere belief is a replacement for science made available to soothe the ignorant masses.  There is some truth to such accusations, and many people do use belief as a screen to cover their own ignorance about the truths of reality.  Everyone should be aware, however, that almost every single human being have these kinds of “blind spots.”  We all live with many things that we merely believe, all of which are so central to ones world view.

Even if we set aside all such types of beliefs, there still remains a broad terrain of human life in which faith and belief remain—even if we ignore all religious matters whatsoever.  Imagine the scientist who’s work on brain neurons depends upon many discoveries made by many other people.  Yes, if it were possible, it would be better for such a person to know all of the details that they accept merely at the word of other scientists.  In all cases, seeing directly is more fulfilling than merely hearing about something.

However, is the scientist better off when he or she knows only what they have experienced directly.  Although it is preferable that he or she knows such facts. However, it is impossible to investigate everything.  Sometimes, one must extend one’s own vision with the vision of someone else.  In a way, the person who thus “takes it on faith” gains a further vision.

Such faith always relies upon the credibility of the person who shares the experience, of course.  For one person to believe on faith what another person says, it is presupposed that the other person is not a liar and actually could have experienced the matter in question.  This means that even the “scientific believer” must take the risk of placing credibility in someone who has witnessed things that he or she has not seen.  While this does not vindicate every kind of faith that people have had, it does provide a telling sign that faith, as such, is not always the refuge of the ignorant.  Indeed, it is an important part of all of our lives, even the lives of scientists, who’s daring and investigative work is rarely criticized as being a refuge for ignorance!

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."

Possible Answers:

to such accusations and many people do use belief

to such accusations and many people use belief

too such accusations, and many people do use belief

NO CHANGE

too such accusations and many people do use belief

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

For this question, there is no problem with the word "to," so that does not need to be changed. The word "too" is used only to mean also or as well. Also, the comma before "and" is fine, as there are two independent clauses here. Hence, nothing needs to be changed!

Example Question #12 : Other 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."

Possible Answers:

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.

Such acts of justice ensure that society does not become reduced to the cold calculation of equality but, instead, have the warmth of true affection and loving gratitude.

NO CHANGE

Such acts of justice ensure that society does not become reduced to the cold calculation of equality, but, instead, have the warmth of true affection and loving gratitude.

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.

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

There are no errors in the sentence as it is written. The "but" is a conjunction in the clause starting with "that." Therefore, the subject of the verbs in that clause is "society." This is a singular subject, meriting the use of "has" for the verb after "but." No comma is needed, for the subject does not change. Both "become reduced" and "has" have the same subject, namely, "society."

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