ACT English : Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #24 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
Due to the elliptical shape of celestial orbits, the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
the distance of the sun to the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun with the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets vary over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets have varied over time.
the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time.
The answer choice "the distance between the sun and the planets varies over time" is correct. It correctly uses a singular verb—"varies"—to match the singular subject, "distance."
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain a subject-verb number agreement error. They use plural verb forms when they should use singular verb forms instead.
Example Question #2131 : Sat Writing
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.
Due to the fact that newspapers and magazines focus on death, corruption, and other negative matters, the majority of the public believes that the media are pessimistic.
the majority of the public believes that the media is pessimistic.
the majority of the public believe that the media can be pessimistic.
the majority of the public believe that the media are pessimistic.
the majority of the public believes that the media are pessimistic.
the majority of the public believes that the medias are pessimistic.
the majority of the public believes that the media are pessimistic.
No error. The subject “the majority” is singular, so the verb must be “believes.” "The media" is plural because it refers to various sources, so the verb should be “are.”
Example Question #1104 : Sentence Correction
No one question the desire to succeed among most students in a competitive school environment.
No one question
Nobody question
No questions
No one questions
No question
No one questions
The underlined part of the sentence contains a flaw in subject verb agreement. "No one" is properly used as a singular form. Therefore, "no one questions" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1105 : Sentence Correction
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.
A hundred miles west of Scotland lie a multitude of interconnected lakes rich in mining exports.
lies a multitude
lie a multitude
there are a multitude
are a multitude
there have been a multitude
lies a multitude
Since "multitude" is a singular subject, its verb must be singular as well. The only answer choice that contains a singular verb is "lies"; the rest incorrectly contain plural verbs.
Example Question #31 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
Though most people are unaware of it, there is over a hundred varieties of coffee which grow throughout the world.
there are over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
there is over a hundred varieties of coffees that grow throughout the world.
there are over a hundred varieties of coffee which grow throughout the world.
there is over a hundred varieties of coffee which grow throughout the world.
there is over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
there are over a hundred varieties of coffee that grow throughout the world.
"There are” is correct because it indicates the existence of more than one thing (e.g., varieties). “Which” is incorrect because it does not follow a comma, nor does it refer to a complement/predicate.
Example Question #32 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
The members of the group was frequently at odds with their rivals over petty differences.
the group was at odds frequently
the group was frequently at odds
the group were frequently at odds
the group was frequent at odds
the group was frequently in odds
the group were frequently at odds
The use of the singular verb "was" is incorrect with the plural subject "members." Even though the verb is next to the singular group, the verb needs to match the subject. Thus the correct answer choice is "the group were frequently at odds," which is the only choice with the appropriate verb tense.
Example Question #33 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement 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.
Despite positive reviews from movie critics, the quality of the young director’s recent films are rather questionable.
the quality of the young Director’s recent films is rather questionable.
the quality of the young Director’s recent films are rather questionable.
the quality of the young director’s recent films is rather questionable.
the quality of the young directors recent films is rather questionable.
the quality of the young director’s recent films are rather questionable.
the quality of the young director’s recent films is rather questionable.
An apostrophe is necessary to show possession, but the word “director” doesn’t need to be capitalized unless it is the official title or nickname of the person. Since “the quality” is singular, the sentence must read, "Despite positive reviews from movie critics, the quality of the young director’s recent films is rather questionable."
Example Question #1313 : Gmat Verbal
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 treatment of animals in laboratories have become a controversial issue in recent years.
have become
had becoming
having been becoming
have been becoming
has become
has become
The underlined words, the verb phrase "have become," must be in agreement with the subject of the sentence, which is "treatment." In the sentence, treatment is singular, even though it discusses "animals in laboratories." Thus, the singular verb form "has become" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1212 : Act English
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 oldest of the veterans hold a special place of honor in the group.
the veterans holds a special place
the veterans hold a special place
the veterans hold the special place
the veterans holding a special place
the veteran's hold a special place
the veterans holds a special place
The verb "hold" is a plural verb, but the subject of the sentence is the singular "The oldest." The verb needs to be changed to a singular form to be in agreement with the subject. The only answer choice that uses the correct verb is "the veterans holds a special place."
Example Question #281 : 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.
Each of the teenagers have a brand new cellular phone.
Each teenager have
Each of the teenagers has
Each of the teenagers have
Each of the teenagers having
Each, of the teenagers, have
Each of the teenagers has
The underlined section of the sentence has a problem with the verb "have." While the verb is situated next to the plural noun "teenagers," the subject of the sentence is the word "each," which is singular. Therefore, the verb needs to be a singular form, and "Each of the teenagers has" is the correct answer choice.
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