ACT English : Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Voice 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 nation’s economy was growing rapidly for reasons having to do with booming foreign investment following the discovery of vast natural resources.
since the discovery of vast natural resources is what can cause a boom in foreign investment.
for reasons having to do with booming foreign investment following the discovery of vast natural resources.
as a result of booming foreign investment following the discovery of vast natural resources.
because the discovery of vast natural resources led to a boom in foreign investment.
because a boom in foreign investment was what followed the discovery of vast natural resources.
because the discovery of vast natural resources led to a boom in foreign investment.
The initial sentence is wordy and in passive voice. The correct answer is concise and active.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Voice 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.
For his service in the war, the soldier was giving the country's highest honor by the President.
the soldier was giving that country's highest honor
the soldier was given the country's highest honor
the soldier was giving the country's highest honor
the soldier is giving the country's highest honor
the soldier was given the countries highest honor
the soldier was given the country's highest honor
The soldier would have trouble "giving" an award "by the President." The use of the final prepositional phrase "by the President" indicates that the soldier is receiving the award. The only answer choice that clarifies this point is "the soldier was given the country's highest honor," making it the correct answer choice.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence, one that is clear and exact, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Hearing about the crisis in the developing country, a campaign was organized by the class president and raised $5,000.
a campaign that raised $5,000 was organized by the class president.
a campaign was organized by the class president and raised $5,000.
the class president organized a campaign, which raised $5,000.
an organized campaign by the class president raised $5,000.
the class president organized a campaign raising $5000.
the class president organized a campaign, which raised $5,000.
Figure out who is the subject of the first part of the sentence—the class president, rather than the campaign itself, heard about the crisis. Also, avoid passive voice ("the campaign was organized").
Example Question #2 : Correcting Verb 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.
After the novelist threw the draft into the trash, the crumpled paper was retrieved by his concerned assistant.
his concerned assistant retrieved the crumpled paper.
his concerned assistant, retrieving the crumpled paper.
the crumpled paper had been retrieved by his concerned assistant.
the crumpled paper was retrieved by his concerned assistant.
retrieved by his concerned assistant, who crumpled the paper.
his concerned assistant retrieved the crumpled paper.
Avoid the passive voice of the original ("the crumbled paper was retrieved") and choose the simplest answer that preserves the original meaning of the text.
Example Question #1082 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The new boss was eagerly anticipating by the employees, because no one in the office knew what to expect.
was anticipating eagerly
was eager anticipation
eagerly anticipated
was eagerly anticipated
was eagerly anticipating
was eagerly anticipated
The context of the underlined phrase show it is actually a use of the passive voice, with the anticipation done "by the employees," not the new boss. Thus, the correct answer must feature a passive construction. "Was eagerly anticipated" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb 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 ancient texts are often confused to people who do not understand their full context.
are often confusing
are often confused
confusing often are
are confused often
often are confused
are often confusing
The sentence is written as to make the texts be "confused," when the latter part of the sentence makes clear the people reading them are "confused." The word needs to be changed to a form that properly conveys this. "Are often confusing" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb 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.
Under the old regime, liberties curtailed greatly.
The old regime's liberties were greatly curtailed.
The old regime had liberties curtailing a great amount.
Under the old regime, liberties being curtailed greatly.
The old regime greatly curtailed liberties.
Under the old regime, liberties curtailed greatly.
The old regime greatly curtailed liberties.
The underlined portion of the sentence contains a flaw in word order. To have the sentence make sense, the government, and not liberties, must be doing the curtailing. The only answer choice that correctly indicates that "the old regime" is the thing doing the curtailing without introducing errors into the sentence is "The old regime greatly curtailed liberties."
Example Question #1082 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion, although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion after Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants.
Mr. Jones gave Tom the most lucrative promotion although normally only he recognizes the most senior accountants.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion, although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants.
Tom was given the most lucrative promotion, although the most senior accountants were recognized normally only by Mr. Jones.
Although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants, he gave Tom the most lucrative promotion.
Although Mr. Jones normally only recognizes the most senior accountants, he gave Tom the most lucrative promotion.
The initial clause of the sentence, "Tom was given the most lucrative promotion," uses the passive voice; conventionally, altering this type of sentence to use active voice makes it clearer and more concise.
Example Question #1422 : Act English
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.
At the turn of the century, many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists.
Scientists discovering many new advances in technology at the turn of the century.
At the turn of the century, scientists discovered many new advances in technology.
Many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists at the turn of the century.
At the turn of the century, many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists.
At the scientist's turn of the century, they discovered many new advances in technology.
At the turn of the century, scientists discovered many new advances in technology.
This example shows how the active voice is preferred over the passive voice. The active voice constructs a much stronger sentence than the passive does.
Example Question #1081 : 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.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match.
Eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas to spar.
The boxing coach, eagerly sees how Mike and Jonas would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, were asked to spar by the boxing coach.
Mike and Jonas, eager to see how the boxing coach would perform in a simulated match, asked them to spar.
Eager to see how they would perform in a simulated match, the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas to spar.
The initial independent clause in the sentence, "Mike and Jonas were asked to spar by the boxing coach," uses passive voice ("were asked"); it becomes clearer when we use active voice ("the boxing coach asked Mike and Jonas . . .").
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