ACT English : Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
During his lifetime, few people knew about the fuller extent of his condition.
about the full extent of his condition.
about the fuller extent of his condition.
about the fuller extents of his condition.
about the fuller extent for his condition.
around the fuller extent of his condition.
about the full extent of his condition.
The use of "fuller" is incorrect in this sentence, as "fuller" implies a comparison, but is not comparing anything in the sentence. The use of the simple adjective "full" is perfectly appropriate in the sentence, making the correct answer choice "about the full extent of his condition."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins have less calories per gram than fats.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats were to have.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do.
Calories can be counted, and so we use the word "fewer." "Less" is for quantities that cannot be counted, such as water.
Example Question #1491 : 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.
Amy drinks lesser water than Johnny, which is why Johnny refills his water bottle more often than Amy does.
fewer
least
less
fewest
few
less
As the question compares two people, a comparative form of the adjective in question must be used, meaning that "few," the regular form of the adjective, and "least" and "fewest," which are each superlative forms, are incorrect. While "fewer" and "less" might each look like a potentially correct answer, "fewer" is used to distinguish between countable nouns, while "less" is used to distinguish between uncountable nouns, like "water." (You can tell if a noun is countable or not if you could precede it with a number, and "seven water" doesn't make sense, given how "water" is used here.) So, "less" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1492 : 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Why do you look at me like I am so much lesser intelligently than you are?
lessly intelligently
much lessly intelligently
much fewer intelligent
much lesser in intelligent
much less intelligent
much less intelligent
"Intelligently" is an adverb and adverbs are not used comparatively, so we need to change "intelligently" to "intelligent," an adjective. Also, "lesser," an adjective, needs to be changed to a determiner, "less." So, "less intelligent" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1492 : 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 teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst musician; both were practically tone deaf.
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst of the musicians;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse of the two musicians;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst musician;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse musician;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worsest musician;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse musician;
If only two things are being compared, the comparative form ("better," "bigger," "smarter," etc.) is correct. If three or more things are being compared, the superlative form ("best," "biggest," "smartest," etc.) is correct. Because there are only the two brothers here, we use the comparative form: “worse” and not “worst.” In addition, because “worse musician” is more concise than “worse of the two musicians,” it is the better answer.
Example Question #701 : 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.
I’m not sure whose garden is of the prettiest: Leah’s, David’s, or Juanita’s.
I’m not sure whose garden is prettiest:
I’m not sure whose garden is prettier:
I’m not sure whose garden is of the prettiest:
I’m not sure whose garden is the most pretty:
I’m not sure whose garden is the most prettiest:
I’m not sure whose garden is prettiest:
If only two things are being compared, the comparative form ("better," "bigger," "smarter," etc.) is correct. If three or more things are being compared, the superlative form ("best," "biggest," "smartest," etc.) is correct. Because there are three gardens here, we use the concise superlative form: “prettiest” and not “prettier,” “most pretty,” or “most prettiest.”
Example Question #24 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb 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.
I've heard that all vitamins are good for you, but of all the different kinds, are there any that are better?
are better
is the better
are best
is better
is the most
are best
When comparing more than two items, you should use superlative adjectives. So, in this case, you should use the word "best."
Example Question #892 : Psat Writing Skills
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.
Less people threw they're support behind the politician as more of his personal issues were revealed.
Less people threw there support
Fewer people threw their support
Fewer people threw they're support
Less peoples threw they're support
Less people through they're support
Fewer people threw their support
The use of "they're" is incorrect in the sentence. "They're" is a contraction for "they are," while the sentence needs the third person plural possessive pronoun, "their." "Fewer people threw their support" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1491 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Erin was the taller of all the girls on the basketball team.
was the tallest
was most tallest
NO CHANGE
was taller
was more tall
was the tallest
When you are comparing more than two things you need the superlative (tallest) instead of comparative (taller) adjective. Taller would be correct if Erin was one of only two basketball players.
Example Question #1492 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Anne is the better cellist in the entire symphony.
the good cellist
the most good cellist
the best cellist
the better of all the cellists
NO CHANGE
the best cellist
Because Anna is being compared to all the cellists in the entire symphony, the superlative adjective "best" is used ("better" would be used for a comparison of two people-if more than two, use the superlative).
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