ACT English : Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #491 : Word Usage 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.

What is the proper form of the underlined selection, "On each side of she stood six fair maidens"?

Possible Answers:

On each side of, she stood six fair maidens

NO CHANGE

On each side of her stood six fair maidens

On each side from she stood six fair maidens

Correct answer:

On each side of her stood six fair maidens

Explanation:

The problem with the sentence is not a matter of punctuation. Instead, it is a problem of pronoun forms. When the third person personal pronoun "she" is the object of a verb or a preposition, it must take the form "her." In this question, it is written as "she," which is wrong.

Example Question #2 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors

Adapted from Hard Times by Charles Dickens (1854)

A candle faintly burned in the window, to which the black ladder had often been raised for the sliding away of all that was most precious in this world to a striving wife and a brood of hungry babies. Stephen added to his other thoughts the stern reflection, that of all the casualties of this existence upon earth, not one was dealt out with so unequal a hand as death. The inequality of birth was nothing to it. For example, the child of a king and the child of a weaver were born tonight in the same moment. What would be the disparity between the death of any human creature who was serviceable to, or beloved by, another, while this abandoned woman lived on!

From the outside of his home he gloomily passed to the inside with suspended breath and with a slow footstep. He went up to his door opened it and so into the room.

Quiet and peace was there. Rachael was there, sitting by the bed.

She turned her head, and the light of her face shone in upon the midnight of his mind. She sat by the bed watching and tending his wife. That is to say, he saw that someone lay there and knew too good that it must be she. However, Rachael’s hands had put a curtain up, so that she was screened from his eyes. Her disgraceful garments were removed, and some of Rachael’s were in the room. Everything was in it’s place and order as he had always kept it. The little fire was newly trimmed, and the hearth was freshly swept. It appeared to him that he saw all this in Rachael’s face. While looking at it, it was shut out from his view by the softened tears that filled his eyes; however, this was not before he had seen how earnestly she looked at him, and how her own eyes were filled too.

Which of the following is the best form of the underlined selection "that it must be she"?

Possible Answers:

that it must have been she

that it must to be her

that it must be her

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

As written, the sentence has no punctuation errors. Indeed, it has no errors at all. Although the use of "she" likely looks strange to you at first glance, it is not wrong at all. This is a case of a predicate nominative. Since the verb is a form of "to be," the "object" really is not an object at all. Instead, it takes the same form that it would have if it were in the subject. For example, it is improper to say, "It is me." In this case, you would say, "It is I." The same holds here, though replacing "me" and "I" with "her" and "she."

Example Question #492 : Word Usage 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 the best form of the underlined selection, "with me and this servant"?

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

with this servant and I

with I and this servant

with this servant and me

Correct answer:

with this servant and me

Explanation:

There are two things to note for this question. First, the appropriate personal pronoun to use is "me"—even though you might be tempted to use "I." If you are confused, remove everything else and keep only the preposition and the pronoun. You would never say "with I." Instead, you would say, "with me." Keep "me." The only thing that needs to change is the order. Generally speaking, you should place the first-person pronoun last when referring to yourself in a group. Therefore the better for is "this servant and me" not "me and this servant."

Example Question #1 : Pronoun Case Errors

Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

Millie and George insisted that Bob visit __________ over the vacation.

Possible Answers:

him

their

it

them

they

Correct answer:

them

Explanation:

Millie and George are insisting that Bob visit Millie and George, so the necessary answer is a plural third-person personal pronoun. "Millie and George" are the subject, and the answer is the object of Bob's visit. "Them" is therefore the correct answer, as it is the plural third-person objective pronoun. "They" is the plural third-person subjective pronoun. "Their" is the possessive case, which is not appropriate here. "Him" is a singular third-person objective pronoun, as is "it."

Example Question #493 : Word Usage Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Every Thursday night, Eric, Alex, and me get together to see a movie.

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

and I

and I;

and me,

and me;

Correct answer:

and I

Explanation:

The comma usage is correct but “me” must be changed to “I” in order for the sentence to be grammatically correct. A good way to break this down is to use just the last two nouns to see what sounds right (“Alex and me get together” vs. “Alex and I get together”).

Example Question #9 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors

Paul stood waiting, for the meeting with James. He had arrived early at the little alleyway in northern Bramville, waiting to meet the other man at a pub named the “Pick and the Shovel.” The whole situation was extremely strange, for Paul had never met James. Indeed, nobody whom Paul knew had met him. Hitherto, the mysterious man had been nothing more than a voice on the phone and a conversationalist via e-mail.

The making, of the trip to Bramville, was utterly unexpected, and his companions had encouraged him to reconnoiter the situation, record his thoughts, and communicate them within the coming week. Many peoples’ fates rode on the character of this mysterious man, this James. By stroke of luck, Paul was about to meet him.

Although Paul was quite certain that this was the appropriate course of action, he was still quite unnerved. Thousands of miles from his home, far from any friends, and without a cell phone, he could well be the target of a dangerous man. For this reason, he watched very intently as every person passed by, particularly those men who were alone. Many times, he asked himself, “Is that him”?

Thus, Paul watched and waited, somewhat overcome with fear yet also anxious to meet this mysterious man. It was time for a meeting with this man, upon whose mysterious persona were placed so many hopes. Though Paul was nervous to be the person to meet James, he knew that he was the man to whom this task had been appointed by fate.

Which of the following is the best form of the underlined section?

Possible Answers:

he knew that he was the man to whom's

he knew that he was the man to whose

NO CHANGE

he knew that he was the man to who

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

The relative pronoun "who" should not be used as the object of the preposition "to." In such cases, it is necessary to use the form "whom." So, the sentence is correct as it is written.

Example Question #2 : Pronoun Case Errors

"Whomever (1) wins the game will play in the Megabowl," (2) Paul shouted, and Derek wasnt (3) sure how to respond.  He dint (4) particularly care for football generally, (5) or for the Megabowl specifically but (6) he did not want to upset his best friend, whom (7) was obviously excessively (8) excited about the news.  He took a deep breath then (9) he said  "That's wonderful news (10) Paul.  Where is the game be (11) held?"  Paul grinned and replied, "In Antarctica!"  Derek blinked.  "Since when are they having football games in Antarctica" he (12) asked.  Paul simply smiled and said, "There had to be some good to come out of global warming, right?"

Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake preceding the question number. If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

he

who

whoever

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

who

Explanation:

The relative pronoun is again being used as a subject here, so "who" would be the most appropriate form.

Example Question #11 : Pronoun Usage Errors

Adapted from "The Ephemera: An Emblem of Human Life" by Benjamin Franklin (1778)

You may remember, my dear friend, that when we lately spent that happy day in the delightful garden and sweet society of the Moulin Joly, I stopped a little in one of our walks, and stay some time behind the company. We had been shown numberless skeletons of a kind of little fly, called an ephemera, whose successive generations, we were told, were bred and expired within the day. I happened to see a living company of them on a leaf, who appeared to be engaged in conversation. You know I understand all the inferior animal tongues. My too great application to the study of them is the best excuse I can give for the little progress I have made in your charming language. I listened through curiosity to the discourse of these little creatures; but as they, in their national vivacity, spoke three or four together, I could make but little of their conversation. I found however by some broken expressions that I heard now and then, they were disputing warmly on the merit of two foreign musicians, one a "cousin," the other a "moscheto": in which dispute they spent their time, seemingly as regardless of the shortness of life as if they had been sure of living a month. Happy people! thought I; you are certainly under a wise just and mild government, since you have no public grievances to complain of, nor any subject of contention but the perfections and imperfections of foreign music. I turned my head from them to an old gray-headed one, who was single on another leaf, and talking to himself. Being amused with his soliloquy, I put it down in writing, in hopes it will likewise amuse her to who I am so much indebted for the most pleasing of all amusements, her delicious company and heavenly harmony.

Which is the best form of the underlined section, "to who I am so much indebted"?

Possible Answers:

who I am so much indebted to

NO CHANGE

to whose I am so much indebted

to whom I am so much indebted

Correct answer:

to whom I am so much indebted

Explanation:

The objective relative pronoun "whom" should be used here since it is the object of a preposition.

Example Question #11 : Pronoun Usage 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, "whomever would heal her of this dreadful disease"?

Possible Answers:

he whom healed her of this dreadful disease

NO CHANGE

whoever would heal her of this dreadful disease

whomever could heal her of this dreadful disease

Correct answer:

whoever would heal her of this dreadful disease

Explanation:

The error with the sentence as written is its improper use of the objective form of "whoever." When "who" is the object of a verb or a preposition, it takes the form "whom." (For example: "The man to whom the shirt was given . . . ") The same holds true for "whoever" and "whomever." Here, the word "whomever" is being incorrectly used as the subject of the relative clause, when it the sentence says that whoever heals her will be rewarded.

Example Question #11 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors

Adapted from The Discourse on Method by René Descartes (1637; 1899, ed. Eliot)

From my childhood, I have been familiar with letters; and as I was given to believe that by their help a clear and certain knowledge of all that is useful in life might be acquired, I was ardently desirously for instruction in them. But as soon as I had finished the entire course of study, at the close of which it is customarily to be admitted into the order of the learned, I completely changed my opinion. I found myself involved in so many doubts and errors and was convinced that I had not advanced in all my attempts at learning. At every turn, ignorance and unknowing was to be discovered. And yet, I was studying in one of the most celebrated Schools in Europe. I thought there must be learned men in it, at least if such were anywhere to be found. I had been taught all that others learned there. However, not contented with the sciences actually taught us, I had, in addition, read all the books that had fallen into my hands, studying those branches that are judged to be the most curious and rare. I knew the judgment that others had formed of me. I did not find that I was considered inferior to my fellows, although there were among them some whom were already marked out to fill the places of our instructors. And, finally, our era appeared to me as flourishing and fertile with powerful minds as any preceding one. I was thus led to take the liberty of judging of all other men by myself. Furthermore, I concluded that there was no science in existence that was of such a nature as I had previously been given to believe.

Which of the following is the best form of the underlined selection "some whom were already marked out to fill the places of our instructors"?

Possible Answers:

some whom was already marked out to fill the places of our instructors

some who was already marked out to fill the places of our instructors

some who were already marked out to fill the places of our instructors

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

some who were already marked out to fill the places of our instructors

Explanation:

When dealing with relative pronouns, we need to pay attention both to the antecedent and to the function of the pronoun in its relative clause. In this selection, the relative pronoun "whom" has "some" as its antecedent. "Some" is a substantive adjective implying the fuller expression "some people"—a plural antecendent. In the clause itself the "whom" is actually the subject of the verb. The people were marked out for future academic posts. Therefore, the pronoun must be "who," not "whom." Likewise, since relative pronoun is the subject, refering to a plural antecedent, the verb must be plural—i.e. "were."

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