ACT English : Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #192 : Correcting Pronoun 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.
She and him were trying to show that they were serious players in the financial market.
She and him was trying
She and he were trying
She and him were trying
Her and him were trying
Him and she were trying
She and he were trying
The use of the objective pronoun "him" in the subject of the sentence is incorrect. The word should be changed to the subjective pronoun "he." As this is the only change that needs to be made in the sentence, "She and he were trying" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #193 : Correcting Pronoun 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.
Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we cannot send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we couldn’t send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school for the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
After the preposition "between," one uses the objects pronouns "you" and "me."
Example Question #43 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
Me and the general always took a stroll in the morning.
The general, I
Me and the general
The general and I
I and the general
The general and me
The general and I
The underlined portion is an incorrect usage of "me." A good rule of thumb, and the best way to find the answer, is to see which pronoun is appropriate alone, "me" or "I." "The general and I" is the correct answer.
Example Question #44 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
She and him do not dance under any circumstances.
She and him does not
They does not
She and he do not
They do not
She and him do not
They do not
Using "she and him" is always incorrect, as "she" is a subject and "him" is an object. The best way to fix this is to use "they" and its correct verb usage, "do not."
Example Question #194 : Correcting Pronoun 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.
Me and my best friend always went down to the river on Saturdays in the summer.
Me and my best friend
My best friend and I
I and my best friend
My best friend and us
My best friend and me
My best friend and I
The use of "me" as a subject in a sentence is always incorrect. As a subject, "I" is the correct first person singular pronoun, and should always be the final subject when more than one is mentioned; therefore, "My best friend and I" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #192 : Correcting Word Usage 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.
Our dad's detailed lectures were rarely understood by my brother and I.
by my brother and I.
by me and my brother.
for my brother and I.
by my brother and myself.
by I and my brother.
by me and my brother.
The key issue in the underlined portion of the sentence is the use of the first person pronoun, "I." "I" is the subjective form, but is used as an object in the sentence. Thus, it needs to be changed to the object form "me," making "for me and my brother" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1352 : 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 negotiations were specifically targeted to attack he and I.
to attack him and I.
to attack he and I.
to attack he and me.
for attacking he and I.
to attack me and him.
to attack me and him.
The use of both "he" and "I" is absolutely incorrect, as both pronouns are subjective pronouns that should only be used as the subject of the sentence. Both pronouns should be changed to the objective forms. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "to attack me and him."
Example Question #561 : Word Usage 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.
For he and I, the most important issue is the debate over voting rights.
For I and he,
For him and I,
For he and I,
For he and me,
For me and him,
For me and him,
The underlined introductory phrase features two subjective pronouns, "he" and "I," but an introductory phrase does not contain the subject of the sentence. Both pronouns need to be changed to the appropriate objective pronouns, making "For me and him" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #562 : Word Usage 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
John commented, “Our preference for the same foods leads me to believe that you and me have a great deal in common.”
to believe that yourself and I have a great deal in common."
to believe that you and me have a great deal in common."
to believing that you and me have a great deal in common."
to believe that you and I have a great deal in common."
to believing that you and I have a great deal in common."
to believe that you and I have a great deal in common."
“Believing” would constitute an incorrect gerund usage. “Me” must be changed to “I” because it is the nominative case pronoun.
Example Question #563 : 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."
We were relaxing in the backyard when suddenly: a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and I.
when suddenly a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and I.
NO CHANGE.
when suddenly, a large branch snapped off the tree above, and landed right in between Toni and I.
when suddenly: a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and me.
when suddenly a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and me.
when suddenly a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and me.
The pronoun at the end of the sentence is the object of the preposition "between," which means it should be in objective case. The subjective case "I" is not appropriate here; it should be the objective case "me" instead. No colon or comma is necessary earlier in the sentence.
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