All ACT English Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Adjective And Adverb Errors
Under normal circumstances, the family would have never driven up to the frighteningly looking motel.
to a frighteningly looking motel.
for the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frighteningly looked motel.
to the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
The use of the word "frighteningly" is absolutely incorrect, as it is an adverb being used to describe a gerund, or a verb that takes the form of a noun, in "looking." Gerunds need to be modified with an adjective. Therefore, "to the frightening looking motel" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Other 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.
Few people will ever remember too many detail from their early childhood.
too much detail
many detail
too many detail
too much details
much details
too much detail
The two words "many" and "much" mean the same thing, "a lot of," but are used in two distinct ways. "Many" is used exclusively with counting nouns, while "much" is used with noncounting nouns; therefore, when used with "detail," "much" is correct, while "many" would be correct with "details."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other 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.
Until you completely comprehend the message of the author’s first novel, you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.
otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.
only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
The answer choice "otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect because it leaves the sentence with no independent clause.
In the answer choice "you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel," "equal" is an adjective, but you must choose an adverb that modifies the adjective “poignant." "Equally" is the correct form, so this answer choice is incorrect.
The answer choice "only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel," is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect. You must pick an independent clause.
In the answer choice "you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel,"the past tense form of “did appreciate” does not agree with the insubordinate clause, which indicates that something will happen in the future (after you comprehend the message). The appropriate choice should indicate somethign that occurrs in the future, so this answer choice is incorrect.
The answer choice "you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is a future-tense independent clause with the appropriate adverb form of "equally." It is correct!
Example Question #4 : Correcting Other 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.
Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers in simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #184 : Correcting 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.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and can't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make one laugh.
He were a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
The use of the adverb "horribly" is wrong, as the word modifies a noun, "comedian," and should actually be an adjective. This problem can be corrected by shifting "horribly" to its adjectival form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "He was a horrible comedian, with no ability to make anybody laugh."
Example Question #3 : Correcting Other 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.
The non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled it's money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfectly.
as it always handles its money perfect.
so it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfectly.
The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."
Example Question #5 : Correcting Other 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.
Even after giving it thoughtfully consideration, we are unfortunately not able to accept your application.
thoughtfully give it consderation
giving it thoughtfully considering
giving it thoughtful consideration
giving it thoughtfully consideration
thoughtfully given it consideration
giving it thoughtful consideration
The use of the adverb "thoughtfully" is incorrect here, as it is being used to modify the noun "consideration." Adjectives, not adverbs, are used to modify nouns. The correct phrase is therefore "giving it thoughtful consideration," which uses the adjective "thoughtful" instead of the adverb "thoughtfully."
Example Question #4 : Correcting 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.
Questions abounded in the inquiry into illegal payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.
allegedly made
alleged making
made alleged
alleged made
allegedly making
allegedly made
The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."
Example Question #11 : Correcting 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.
The old man usual took his walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.
The old man usual takes
The old man usual took
The old man usual taken
The old man usually took
The usual old man took
The old man usually took
The use of the word "usual" in the sentence is incorrect, as it describes the verb "took," which means it needs to take an adverb form. The only answer choice with the correct form that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "The old man usually took."
Example Question #951 : 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.
Marriages are increasing being delayed among young adults throughout the nation.
Marriages are increasingly being delaying
Marriages are increasingly being delayed
Marriages are increasing being delayed
Marriages are increasing being delaying
Marriages are increasingly been delayed
Marriages are increasingly being delayed
The word "increasing" in the sentence is used to describe the verb phrase "being delayed." Even though these words are not the verb in the sentence, they still need an adverb form to describe them. The correct answer is "Marriages are increasingly being delayed."