ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #111 : 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."
Ella is not welcome in my house again: she criticized my decorating and scrutinized every nook and cranny last time she visited.
house again she criticized
house, again, she criticized
house again, she criticized
house again; she criticized
NO CHANGE
house again; she criticized
Colons are only used after independent clauses to introduce lists or to give emphasis to a related phrase that directly follows from the first one, e.g. "There was only one thing to be done: investigate." The sentence in question is composed of two independent clauses, or clauses with a subject and a verb that can stand or their own as complete sentences. Colons are not used to connect independent clauses, but two independent clauses can be connected into a compound sentence by using a semicolon or by using a comma followed by a conjunction. Thus, the answer choice "house again; she criticized" is the correct answer.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Colon 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 plan sought improvements to the city government in three areas municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement.
in three areas: municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement.
in three areas municipal finances, emergency services, and enforcing traffic.
in three areas, municipal finances emergency services and traffic enforcement.
in three areas; municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement.
in three areas municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement.
in three areas: municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement.
The sentence is structured so that the list is given as the examples of the "three areas" the sentence mentions. When a list follows a phrase that can be a complete sentence and adds new information to the sentence, a colon should precede the list. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "in three areas: municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
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.
Upon entering the room, you will have two choices either drink from the chalice or drinking from the mug.
Upon entering the room, you will have two choices; drinking from the chalice or drink from the mug.
Upon entering the room, you will have too choices, either drink from the chalice or drink from the mug.
Either drink from the chalice or drinking from the mug, upon entering the room, you will have two choices.
Upon entering the room, you will have two choices: either drink from the chalice or drink from the mug.
Upon entering the room, you will have two choices either drink from the chalice or drinking from the mug.
Upon entering the room, you will have two choices: either drink from the chalice or drink from the mug.
A colon can be used to separate these two clauses. A semi-colon cannot be used, because the second clause cannot stand independently as a full sentence. Both of the verbs used need to be conjugated in the same way. The only answer choice that corrects both of these issues is, "Upon entering the room, you will have two choices: either drink from the chalice or drink from the mug."
Example Question #6 : Correcting Colon 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.
The nineteenth-century athlete, C. W. Alcock, was a foundational figure for two separate sports soccer and cricket.
two separate sports, soccer, cricket.
two separate sports: soccer and cricket.
two separate sports soccer, and cricket.
two separate sports soccer and cricket.
soccer and cricket: two separate sports.
two separate sports: soccer and cricket.
The underlined portion includes both a descriptive phrase, "two separate sports," and what it describes, "soccer and cricket." These two phrases need to be separated in a grammatically correct fashion. "Two separate sports: soccer and cricket," is the only answer choice that appropriately separates them,
Example Question #1 : Correcting Colon 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.
Some laud wind power as a clean, renewable energy source: others worry about the environmental effect of setting up rows of turbines, or “wind farms,” either offshore or on land.
Some laud it as a clean, renewable energy source: others worry about the environmental effect of setting up rows of turbines, or “wind farms,” either offshore or on land.
Some laud wind power as a clean, renewable energy source; others worry about the environmental effect of setting up rows of turbines, or “wind farms,” either offshore or on land.
Some laud it as a clean, renewable energy source, others worry about the environmental effect of setting up rows of turbines, or “wind farms,” either offshore or on land.
Some laud it as a clean, renewable energy source: and others worry about the environmental effect of setting up rows of turbines, or “wind farms,” either offshore or on land.
Some laud it as a clean, renewable energy source others worry about the environmental effect of setting up rows of turbines, or “wind farms,” either offshore or on land.
Some laud wind power as a clean, renewable energy source; others worry about the environmental effect of setting up rows of turbines, or “wind farms,” either offshore or on land.
The sentence is incorrect as it is written because it is using a colon to combine two independent clauses into a compound sentence. When combining two independent clauses into a compound sentence, one should use either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that employs one of these strategies is "Some laud wind power as a clean, renewable energy source; others worry about the environmental effect of setting up rows of turbines, or “wind farms,” either offshore or on land."
Example Question #71 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
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 bride divided her wedding binder into four sections, venue, catering, decorations, and dress.
four sections; venue, catering, decorations, and dress.
four sections: venue; catering; decorations; and dress.
four sections: venue, catering, decorations, and dress.
four sections, venue, catering, decorations, and dress.
four sections; venue; catering; decorations; and dress.
four sections: venue, catering, decorations, and dress.
Because “The bride divided her wedding binder into four sections” is an independent clause (a complete sentence that stands on its own) and because it’s followed by a list, a colon is needed. If the independent clause were followed by another independent clause, a semicolon would be needed. If the beginning of the sentence wasn’t an independent clause, then a colon would not be necessary before the list. Semicolons are only used to separate items in a list if those items contain commas, and since that’s not the case here, we use commas to separate the items in this list.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Colon 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 don’t know if I want: the chicken, beef, or vegetarian option for this party, what do you think?
I don’t know if I want: the chicken, beef, or vegetarian option for this party, what do you think?
I don’t know if I want: the chicken, beef, or vegetarian option for this party; what do you think?
I don’t know if I want the chicken, beef, or vegetarian option for this party: what do you think?
I don’t know if I want the chicken, beef, or vegetarian option for this party, what do you think?
I don’t know if I want the chicken, beef, or vegetarian option for this party; what do you think?
I don’t know if I want the chicken, beef, or vegetarian option for this party; what do you think?
Only use a colon to enumerate items in a list if the part of the sentence preceding the list is an independent clause (one that could stand as a complete sentence on its own). Since “I don’t know if I want” isn’t an independent clause, no colon is needed before listing the meal choices. And, since “I don’t know if I want the chicken, beef, or vegetarian option for this party” and “what do you think?” are both independent clauses, they must be separated by a semicolon.
Example Question #7 : Correcting Colon 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 don’t know what I want, a poodle, a cocker spaniel, or a German shepherd, my sister tells me that each breed has its merits.
I don’t know what I want: a poodle, a cocker spaniel, or a German shepherd. My sister tells me that each breed has its merits.
I don’t know what I want; a poodle, a cocker spaniel, or a German shepherd. My sister tells me that each breed has its merits.
I don’t know what I want: a poodle, a cocker spaniel, or a German shepherd, my sister tells me that each breed has its merits.
I don’t know what I want, a poodle, a cocker spaniel, or a German shepherd, my sister tells me that each breed has its merits.
I don’t know what I want; a poodle, a cocker spaniel, or a German shepherd; my sister tells me that each breed has its merits.
I don’t know what I want: a poodle, a cocker spaniel, or a German shepherd. My sister tells me that each breed has its merits.
Only use a colon to enumerate items in a list if the part of the sentence preceding the list is an independent clause (one that could stand as a complete sentence on its own). Since “I don’t know what I want” is an independent clause, we must use a colon before listing the dog breeds. Because “I don’t know what I want: a poodle, a cocker spaniel, or a German shepherd” and “My sister tells me that each breed has its merits” are both independent clauses, they must be separated by a semicolon or broken into two complete sentences.
Example Question #72 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Have you ever tried: pulpo, padron peppers, or paella? They’re all great examples of classic Spanish cuisine.
Have you ever tried: pulpo, padron peppers, or paella? They’re all great examples of classic Spanish cuisine.
Have you ever tried, pulpo, padron peppers, or paella? They’re all great examples of classic Spanish cuisine.
Have you ever tried pulpo, padron peppers, or paella; they’re all great examples of classic Spanish cuisine?
Have you ever tried pulpo, padron peppers, or paella? They’re all great examples of classic Spanish cuisine.
Have you ever tried pulpo, padron peppers, or paella, they’re all great examples of classic Spanish cuisine?
Have you ever tried pulpo, padron peppers, or paella? They’re all great examples of classic Spanish cuisine.
Because “Have you ever tried” isn’t an independent clause (a complete sentence that can stand on its own), the list that follows it should not be separated with a colon or with any other punctuation. You would only use a colon to introduce the list if the part of the sentence before the list was an independent clause.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Colon Errors
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
While I’m away at the convention, I need you to do the following chores: mow the lawn and clean the gutters, which are clogged.
While I’m away at the convention, I need you to mow the lawn and clean the gutters, which are clogged.
While I’m away at the convention, I need you to mow the lawn and clean the gutters which are clogged.
While I’m away at the convention, I need you to do the following chores, mow the lawn and clean the gutters, which are clogged.
While I’m away at the convention I need you to do the following chores: mow the lawn and clean the gutters, which are clogged.
While I’m away at the convention, I need you to do the following chores: mow the lawn and clean the gutters, which are clogged.
While I’m away at the convention, I need you to mow the lawn and clean the gutters, which are clogged.
Because “mow the lawn and clean out the gutters,” isn’t a list of three or more items, no colon is necessary to introduce it. “While I’m away at the convention” and “which are clogged” are dependent clauses, so they must be separated from the main clause with a comma. A better sentence would read as follows: “While I’m away at the convention, I need you to mow the lawn and clean out the gutters, which are clogged.”
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