ACT English : Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
All ACT English Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #87 : Pronoun Usage Errors
Passage adapted from Around the World in Eighty Days (1876) by Jules Verne
Mr. Fogg's wardrobe was amply supplied and in the best taste. Each pair of trousers, coat, and vest bore a number, indicating the time of year and season at which they were in turn to be laid out for wearing; and the same system was applied to the master's shoes. In short, the house in Saville Row, which must have been a very temple of disorder and unrest under the illustrious but dissipated Sheridan, was cosiness, comfort, and method idealised. There was no study, nor were there books, which would have been quite useless to Mr. Fogg; for at the Reform two libraries, one of general literature and the other of law and politics, were at his service. A moderate-sized safe stood in his bedroom, constructed so as to defy fire as well as burglars; but Passepartout found neither arms nor hunting weapons anywhere; everything betrayed the most tranquil and peaceable habits.
Having scrutinised the house from top to bottom, he rubbed his hands, a broad smile overspread his features, and he said joyfully, "This is just what I wanted! Ah, we shall get on together, Mr. Fogg and me! What a domestic and regular gentleman! A real machine; well, I don't mind serving a machine."
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
me and Mr. Fogg!
Mr. Fogg and I!
I and Mr. Fogg!
Mr. Fogg alone.
NO CHANGE
Mr. Fogg and I!
The best revision is, Mr. Fogg and I!
"I" is the appropriate pronoun choice because it is a subject pronoun, and indeed "Mr. Fogg and I" are together the subject of the sentence. Further, the pronoun "I" always comes second to another listed name.
Example Question #571 : Word Usage Errors
Select the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the sentence is correct as is, select "NO CHANGE."
Whom is the dog's owner?
Which
To whom
NO CHANGE
To who
Who
Who
As phrased, the pronoun should be a subject (who), not an object (whom). If the question were phrased "To whom does the dog belong?" whom would be a correct use of an object pronoun.
Example Question #572 : Word Usage Errors
Select the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the sentence is correct as is, select "NO CHANGE."
Her and I went to the store yesterday to buy supplies for our dinner party.
She and I go
She and me went
NO CHANGE
Her and me went
She and I went
She and I went
"Yesterday" implies that you need the past tense "went" but the sentence needs the subject pronoun "she" to go with subject pronoun "I" (rather than object pronoun "her").
Example Question #573 : 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."
Professor Gates assigned the task of presenting his research findings to Maribel and I.
NO CHANGE
me.
myself.
mine.
I's.
me.
The preposition "to" indicates that the pronoun that follows should be in the objective case. Subjective case ("I"), genitive case ("mine") and reflexive case ("myself") are not appropriate in this sentence.
Example Question #574 : 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."
Whom is the new president of the university?
who is it that is
whom is going to be
NO CHANGE
Who is
whom will be
Who is
The sentence as worded needs the subject pronoun "who" rather than the object pronoun "whom."
Example Question #575 : 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."
It was her who ate the last cupcake.
It was her that ate
It was she whom ate
It was her whom ate
It was she who ate
NO CHANGE
It was she who ate
The sentence requires the subject pronoun "she." Think of it as answering the question "who ate the last cupcake?" The answer is "she ate the last cupcake" not "her ate the last cupcake."
Example Question #576 : 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 Wednesday evening, Larissa, Cecilia, and me get together to play soccer.
and I get together
and we get together
and they get together
all of them get together
NO CHANGE
and I get together
The sentence as written needs an object pronoun "I" instead of the subject pronoun "me" (or plural subject pronoun "them"). Getting together is the action (verb phrase), and the subjects (Larissa, Cecilia, and I) are the ones completing the action. The pronoun also needs to be singular, as it is part of a list of singular people (so the plural "we" and "they" are also incorrect even though they are subject pronouns).
Example Question #91 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun 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 cook more than her, so I will win the cooking competition.
more then she
more than she do
more then her
NO CHANGE
more than she does
more than she does
The singular subject pronoun "I" needs to be paired with another singular subject pronoun "she," rather than the object pronoun "her." Some of the incorrect answer choices change the spelling of the comparative "than" to "then." The comparative "than" is correct in this case.
Example Question #91 : Subjective And Objective Pronoun Errors
“Intellectual Virtues”
Whenever someone talks about being “virtuous,” we immediately think of someone whose very moral. Perhaps we even think of people who are a bit boring for virtuous people can appear to have no fun at least in the popular imagination. Whatever the case might be, almost any reader would be surprised to see the expression “intellectual virtues.” What could this expression mean to designate! At best, most people would say, “Such virtues must describe people for who knowledge is combined with devotion and rigorous discipline.” That is; they would seem to describe the person who has a disciplined character in addition to being intelligent.
However, in ancient and medieval philosophy, certain intellectual capacities were considered virtues. These character traits were not quite the same as moral character traits or virtues. To understand this idea, it can be helpful to consider two example people, one whose skills are the fruit of a so-called intellectual virtue and the other whose skills are not.
It is easier to start with the person who does not have a given intellectual virtue. We all know someone who is not very good at math, that is, someone for who math is difficult even though he or she might be quite skilled at many other tasks It makes sense to say that this person doesn’t have an intellectual virtue. Likewise, think of the person who is only able to memorize formulas. Such a person is often very good at working through many problems with deft skill. This person seems to be a “wiz” at geometry and algebra, quickly solving equations and proofs.
However, this latter person might suddenly be presented with a difficult, new problem. When we notice that he or she does not have the creative skill and insight to solve the problem, we realize that he or she does’nt have a so-called “intellectual virtue.” This person merely has a habit—a particular skill that is helpful but does not indicate true and complete mathematical knowledge. The person who is able to understand the mathematics and creatively apply this knowledge to solve new problems. This person has a true intellectual virtue. They have a particular ability for intellectual insight, able to probe the difficult domain of this topic. This is much more noble as the mere habit of being able to balance equations and repeat facts about geometric figures!
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Such virtues must describe people for whose knowledge is combined with devotion and rigorous discipline
Such virtues must describe people for whom knowledge is combined with devotion and rigorous discipline.
NO CHANGE
Such virtues must describe people for who's knowledge is combined with devotion and rigorous discipline
Such virtues must describe people, for who knowledge is combined with devotion and rigorous discipline
Such virtues must describe people for whom knowledge is combined with devotion and rigorous discipline.
This sentence has a problem with regard to the case of the word "who" that is an object of "for." Whenever "who" is an object in any form, it must be inflected with a terminal "-m," giving us "whom" (as opposed to the plain "who"). Thus, the "for who" in this sentence needs to be altered to "for whom."
Example Question #97 : Pronoun Usage Errors
“Intellectual Virtues”
Whenever someone talks about being “virtuous,” we immediately think of someone whose very moral. Perhaps we even think of people who are a bit boring for virtuous people can appear to have no fun at least in the popular imagination. Whatever the case might be, almost any reader would be surprised to see the expression “intellectual virtues.” What could this expression mean to designate! At best, most people would say, “Such virtues must describe people for who knowledge is combined with devotion and rigorous discipline.” That is; they would seem to describe the person who has a disciplined character in addition to being intelligent.
However, in ancient and medieval philosophy, certain intellectual capacities were considered virtues. These character traits were not quite the same as moral character traits or virtues. To understand this idea, it can be helpul to consider two example people, one whose skills are the fruit of a so-called intellectual virtue and the other whose skills are not.
It is easier to start with the person who does not have a given intellectual virtue. We all know someone who is not very good at math, that is, someone for who math is difficult even though he or she might be quite skilled at many other tasks It makes sense to say that this person doesn’t have an intellectual virtue. Likewise, think of the person who is only able to memorize formulas. Such a person is often very good at working through many problems with deft skill. This person seems to be a “wiz” at geometry and algebra, quickly solving equations and proofs.
However, this latter person might suddenly be presented with a difficult, new problem. When we notice that he or she does not have the creative skill and insight to solve the problem, we realize that he or she does’nt have a so-called “intellectual virtue.” This person merely has a habit—a particular skill that is helpful but does not indicate true and complete mathematical knowledge. The person who is able to understand the mathematics and creatively apply this knowledge to solve new problems. This person has a true intellectual virtue. They have a particular ability for intellectual insight, able to probe the difficult domain of this topic. This is much more noble as the mere habit of being able to balance equations and repeat facts about geometric figures!
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
someone for who math is difficult, even though she might be quite skilled at many other tasks
NO CHANGE
someone for whom math is difficult even though he or she might be quite skilled at many other tasks
someone for who math is difficult even though they might be quite skilled at many other tasks
someone for who math is difficult, even though he or she might be quite skilled at many other tasks
someone for whom math is difficult even though he or she might be quite skilled at many other tasks
The main issue in this sentence is the error with the relative pronoun "who." When "who" is used as an object of a preposition (or of a main verb), it should be inflected with "-m" to "whom." Now, it is arguable that a comma is also needed after "difficult," but this is not 100% necessary. Therefore, the most critical change is the expression "from who" to "from whom."
Certified Tutor
All ACT English Resources
