ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #131 : 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."
When you go to the store, please purchase the following items: flour, bread, milk, and eggs.
items flour, bread, milk, and eggs.
items, flour, bread, milk, and eggs.
NO CHANGE
items: Flour, bread, milk, and eggs.
NO CHANGE
Because this sentence introduces a list of items, a colon must precede the list. The first item in the list should not be capitalized (unless it is a proper noun).
Example Question #132 : 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."
I enjoy many types of music, including: classical, rock, jazz, and blues.
NO CHANGE
including classical; rock, jazz, and blues.
including classical, rock, jazz, and blues.
including classical rock jazz and blues.
including classical, rock, jazz, and blues.
When a list is preceded by a preposition or a verb (including), a colon is unnecessary. A comma is necessary after music because it separates the independent clause from the dependent clause.
Example Question #133 : 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."
I need a teacher who can do the following, be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
I need a teacher who can do the following: be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
I need a teacher who can do the following. Be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
NO CHANGE
I need a teacher who can do the following be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
I need a teacher who can do the following; be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
I need a teacher who can do the following: be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
This sentence contains a series of items. The list is not preceded by a verb or a preposition, so a colon is an appropriate way to introduce the items.
Example Question #134 : 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."
During winter break I want to go to: Aspen, Vail, and Monarch.
NO CHANGE
to Aspen, Vail, and Monarch.
to Aspen Vail and Monarch.
to, Aspen, Vail and Monarch.
to Aspen, Vail, and Monarch.
In this sentence the colon is separating the preposition ("to") from it's objects ("Aspen, Vail and Monarch"). Thus, the colon should be removed. Colons should never separate parts of a sentence that are grammatically connected. Also, note that commas should separate items in the list, and that an Oxford Comma should appear before the "and."
Example Question #135 : 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."
Allison likes games such as: bingo, chess, and card games.
Allison likes games, such as, bingo, chess, and card games.
Allison likes games such as bingo, chess, and card games.
Allison likes games such as, bingo, chess, and card games.
NO CHANGE
Allison likes games such as bingo, chess, and card games.
The colon use is incorrect. "Such as" does not require a colon after it. Colons must follow complete independent clauses that could stand on their own as a sentence, and no sentence could end with "such as."
Example Question #136 : 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."
The three colors of the United States flag are: red, white and blue.
NO CHANGE
are: red white and blue.
are red, white and blue.
are, red, white and blue.
are red, white and blue.
The colon should not be used because it separates the verb ("are") from its objects ("red, white and blue"). Thus, to correct this sentence you can remove the colon. Colons must come at the end of a complete independent clause; they cannot interrupt a clause.
Example Question #477 : Act English
Second language acquisition has already been positively correlated to increased cognitive flexibility (1) : what has yet to be investigated is the correlation between cultural literacy—as a potential result of second language acquisition—and the facilitation of social relationships on the individual and community levels, academic and career success, and personal cultural enrichment. Cultural literacy may be (2) viewed as a deepest sense of foreign language study, as it encompasses all facets of culture rather than just language. If these positive correlations are accurately established (3) , the United States’ education system and (4) its lack of priority given to foreign language studies must be reevaluated. Vastly extending foreign language requirements would allow individuals not only the obvious benefit of communicating in more than one language, (5) but also from greater academic success in high school, college, and the workplace, as well as less multicultural tension in social and professional arenas. (6) As the global market continues to be vital to the economic prosperity of nations, and immigration trends change their cultural make-up, (7) both linguistic and cultural understanding and awareness is essential.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
: what they have yet to investigate
NO CHANGE
, what has yet to be investigated
; what has yet to be investigated
; what has yet to be investigated
A semicolon is required to bring together two distinct but supporting thoughts. A comma would make it a run-on sentence, and a colon is used to provide direct evidentiary support (often in the form of a list) of the previous line or when the second clause follows an independent clause that directly clarifies or explains the first clause.
Example Question #137 : 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."
Attending my Super Bowl party this month: Teddy, Elaine, Susan, Mario, and Kim.
The list of attendees for my Super Bowl party this month:
Planning to attend my Super Bowl party this month:
People who are planning to attend my Super Bowl party this month:
NO CHANGE
The following people are attending my Super Bowl party this month:
The following people are attending my Super Bowl party this month:
Colons must be preceded by a main clause. None of the incorrect answers is a main clause that could stand on its own as a complete sentence.
Example Question #138 : 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."
Among my many friends: Jennifer, Alan, Kate, and Theodore.
I have many friends:
My group of friends:
NO CHANGE
My group of friends, including:
Included in my group of friends:
I have many friends:
Colons must be preceded by a main clause. No colon should interrupt a clause, or follow a dependent introductory clause, as happens in the example sentence. The correct option adds enough elements to make this clause grammatically independent.
Example Question #139 : 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."
A number of my friends that I invited to my party: Joselene, Kenny, Bruce, David, Kendra, and Michelle
The number of friends invited to my party includes:
My list of friends invited to my party:
Friends that I invited to my party:
NO CHANGE
I invited a number of my friends to my party:
I invited a number of my friends to my party:
A colon must be preceded by a main clause. That is, the clause preceding any colon must be able to stand on its own as a complete sentence. None of of the incorrect answer choices is a main clause.
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