ACT English : Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

In the sentence below, select the phrasing of the underlined portion that produces the best sentence.

I know that Trudy is generally a kind girl, but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.

Possible Answers:

but she and me have never enjoyed spending time together.

but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.

but her and I have never enjoyed spending time together.

but I and her have never enjoyed spending time together.

but her and me have never enjoyed spending time together.

Correct answer:

but she and I have never enjoyed spending time together.

Explanation:

The speaker and Trudy together form the subject of the underlined clause, and so both pronouns need to be subject pronouns. Of the options given here, "she and I" is the only one where this is the case ("we," of course, would also work).

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Us and them are going to join together for the greater good.

Possible Answers:

Them and we

Us and they

Us and them

They and we

Them and us

Correct answer:

They and we

Explanation:

The pronouns "us" and "them" are actually the object forms of their respective pronouns, but are used as the subjects of the sentence. Both words need to be changed into the subject forms. The correct answer choice is "They and we."

Example Question #31 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors

Me and you have to go to the store.

Possible Answers:

Me and you has

Me and you have

You and I has

You and me have

You and I have

Correct answer:

You and I have

Explanation:

"Me" is always appropriately used as the object of a sentence, while it is used in this sentence as the subject. The first person subjective pronoun "I" must be used instead. "You and I have" is the only answer choice that does this and uses the appropriate verb form "have."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Him and I are going to make the case in the morning for tougher standards.

Possible Answers:

Him and I going

Him and I are gone

Him and I are going

I and him are going

He and I are going

Correct answer:

He and I are going

Explanation:

The use of the pronoun "him" in the subject of the sentence is incorrect, as "him" should only be used as the object of the sentence. The proper third person male pronoun for the subject of the sentence is "he," making "He and I are going" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #141 : Correcting Pronoun Errors

She and him have been bitter enemies since they were children in Little League.

Possible Answers:

She and him having been

She and he have been

She and he having been

She and him has been

She and him have been

Correct answer:

She and he have been

Explanation:

The use of the pronoun "him" is incorrect in the sentence, as it used as the subject, but can only be used as the object of the sentence. The pronoun needs to be changed to "he," but otherwise the sentence is absolutely correct. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "She and he have been."

Example Question #11 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Me and the boys are going to travel there once the weather is better.

Possible Answers:

The boys and I am going

Me and the boys are going

The boys and I are going

Me and the boys go

The boys and me are going

Correct answer:

The boys and I are going

Explanation:

The use of the pronoun "me" is incorrect, as it used as the subject of the sentence, but is only correctly used as an object. The form needs to be change to "I." The only choice which does this and is grammatically correct is "The boys and I are going."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

Me and him have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Possible Answers:

Him and me have always

Him and me has always

He and I have always

Me and him have always

Me and him has always

Correct answer:

He and I have always

Explanation:

The use of the pronouns "me" and "him" are both objective pronouns, but are used here as the subject of the sentence. They both need to be changed to the appropriate subjective forms "He" and "I;" therefore, the correct answer choice is "He and I have always."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

She and him were going to the dance after they had dinner.

Possible Answers:

She and him were going to the dance after they had dinner.

She and him were going to the dance after they dined.

She and him going to the dance after they had dinner.

She and he were going to the dance after they had dinner.

She and him go to the dance after they had dinner.

Correct answer:

She and he were going to the dance after they had dinner.

Explanation:

The use of the pronoun "him," which should only be used as a sentence's object, is incorrect as a subject of the sentence. Thus, "him" needs to be changed to the third person subjective pronoun, "he;" therefore, "She and he were going to the dance after they had dinner," is the correct answer choice, as there are no other issues in the sentence.

Example Question #41 : Pronoun Case Errors

This problem is one that has to be dealt with by both you and I.

Possible Answers:

for both you and I.

by both you and me.

by each of you and I.

from both you and I.

by both you and I.

Correct answer:

by both you and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the object of the sentence is an absolutely incorrect usage, and needs to be fixed. The appropriate pronoun in the objective space is "me." As this is the only change that should be made to the sentence, the correct answer choice is "by both you and me."

Example Question #42 : Pronoun Case Errors

Running a marathon was a task that was unimaginable for both she and him.

Possible Answers:

for both she and him.

for both of she and him.

for both she and he.

to both she and him.

for both him and her

Correct answer:

for both him and her

Explanation:

The use of "she" in the sentence is incorrect, as "she" is a subjective pronoun and should only be used as the subject of the sentence. The pronoun should be changed to match "him," as an objective pronoun; therefore, the correct answer choice is "for both him and her."

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