ACT English : Word Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #2003 : 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.

When one is trying a dangerous sport such as rock-climbing, you should always use the proper safety equipment.

Possible Answers:

you should always use the proper safety equipment.

he or she should always be using the proper safety equipment.

one should always use the proper safety equipment.

they should always use the proper safety equipment.

he should always be using proper safety equipment.

Correct answer:

one should always use the proper safety equipment.

Explanation:

Because “one” is the subject in the relative clause that begins the sentence, “one” must also be the subject of the main independent clause that concludes the sentence. Pronouns and their antecedents must match, and “you,” “they,” and “he” do not match “one.” Also, “use” is more concise than “be using,” which is unnecessarily wordy.

Example Question #7 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage

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.

If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.

Possible Answers:

If a person wants to live fully and reach his or her potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.

If a person wants to live fully and reach its potential, it must first find a meaningful passion.

If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.

If a person wants to live fully and reach his potential, he must first find a meaningful passion.

If a person wants to live fully and reach their potential, they must first find a meaningful passion.

Correct answer:

If a person wants to live fully and reach his or her potential, he or she must first find a meaningful passion.

Explanation:

Because the antecedent (“a person”) is singular, “their” and “they” are incorrect pronouns. Because the antecedent doesn’t indicate gender, the male “he” isn’t sufficient and “he or she” must be used. Although “its” and “it” are singular pronouns, they are used to talk about objects and not about people, so they are incorrect.

Example Question #102 : 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. 

If one is to fully reform the nation's educational system, you must first account for the need to provide academic opportunities for students regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.

Possible Answers:

you must first account for

one must first account for

he must first account for

we must first account for

they must first account for

Correct answer:

one must first account for

Explanation:

The sentence initially uses the pronoun "one," but then switches to "you." These pronouns should be kept consistent. 

Example Question #111 : 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written. 

In order for one to be prepared for the SATs, you must practice every skill on the test until one is confident in the material. 

Possible Answers:

one must practice every skill

we must practice every skill

he must practice every skill

she must practice every skill 

you must practice every skill

Correct answer:

one must practice every skill

Explanation:

The error in the sentence is in the consistency of pronouns. The sentence begins with "one" and therefore "one" must be used as the pronoun through the remainder of the sentence. 

Example Question #2001 : 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.

If one is planning to argue with Damon about whether cats are better than dogs, you must be prepared to cite many sources to support your argument. 

Possible Answers:

they must be prepared

you must be prepared

he must be prepared

one must be prepared

she must be prepared

Correct answer:

one must be prepared

Explanation:

The error in this sentence stems from the lack of agreement between its pronouns. Since the sentence begins with the pronoun "one," we must change the other pronoun ("you") to "one" in order to make the sentence correct. 

Example Question #1 : Correcting Word Usage Errors

She was always hard on her, battling with low self-esteem since she was a child.

Possible Answers:

hard on her

hard with her

hard in herself

hard on herself

hard to her

Correct answer:

hard on herself

Explanation:

The use of the pronoun "her" in the underlined phrase is confusing, as it is not clear whether this is a new person in the sentence or refers back to the subject. To be more clear, a reflexive pronoun must be used. The correct answer is "hard on herself."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage

The materials must be brought back to myself as soon as you are done with them.

Possible Answers:

back from myself

back to me

back toward myself

back from me

back to myself

Correct answer:

back to me

Explanation:

The only issue in the sentence as it is written is the use of "myself," a reflexive pronoun, when there is no other first person pronoun to which it can refer back. The only answer choice which both appropriately uses "me," and keeps the same meaning is "back to me."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage

The information was only given to myself after the rest of the students had seen it all.

Possible Answers:

giving to me

gave to myself

given to myself

giving to myself 

given to me

Correct answer:

given to me

Explanation:

The only issue with the sentence is its use of the reflexive pronoun "myself," despite not previously using a first person pronoun. All reflexive pronouns need an antecedent, or previous pronoun in the same person, to be used correctly, or it should be changed to the simple pronoun. As this is the only problem with the sentence, "given to me" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Word Usage Errors

Those supplies all need to be brought directly to myself.

Possible Answers:

directly to myself.

directly to me.

directly from myself.

directly for myself.

direct to myself.

Correct answer:

directly to me.

Explanation:

The only issue with the sentence is the use of the reflexive pronoun "myself" without a previous use of the first person pronoun. All reflexive pronouns need to refer back to an earlier use of the pronoun in the sentence. The solution to this issue is to change "myself" to the simple "me," making "directly to me" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #2 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage

The information needs to be reviewed by yourself before it is sent out.

Possible Answers:

reviews by yourself

reviewed by yourself

reviewed by you

reviewing by your

reviewing by yourself

Correct answer:

reviewed by you

Explanation:

The use of the reflexive pronoun "yourself" is incorrect in this sentence, as it has no previous "you" to refer back to. "Yourself" needs to simply be replaced by "you," making "reviewed by you" the correct answer choice.

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