ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Abraham Lincoln was taller than any United States President.
anyone who has ever served as United States President.
NO CHANGE
the men who have been United States Presidents.
all of the United States Presidents.
any other United States President.
any other United States President.
Abraham Lincoln was a United States President, thus, he cannot be taller than himself. All of the incorrect answer choices involve comparing Lincoln to groups to which he belonged.
Example Question #32 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
After considering several possible solutions to the Calculus problem, Jennifer chose the one that she considered more efficient.
mostly efficient.
more efficiently.
the more efficient solution.
most efficient.
NO CHANGE
most efficient.
Since we can assume that there are more than two possible solutions to the problem, the superlative form "st" or "est" would be necessary. The example sentence uses the comparative, which would require two specific items of comparison to be correct in this instance.
Example Question #33 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Betty won first prize for having the more delicious pie at the state fair.
deliciousest
delicious
NO CHANGE
deliciouser
most delicious
most delicious
This question asks you about the correct form of a superlative adjective. The sentence states that "Betty won first prize," so we know from this context that we need to use a superlative adjective, not a comparative adjective like "more delicious." The correct superlative form of the adjective "delicious" is "most delicious."
Example Question #31 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
If the committee has to choose between Alan and Leo, I hope they select the most qualified candidate.
more qualified candidate.
the candidate with the best qualifications.
a mostly qualified candidate.
NO CHANGE
the candidate who is most qualified.
more qualified candidate.
Since the sentence only compares two subjects, the use of the comparative "more" is appropriate here.
Example Question #34 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb Errors
Josh suffered from a fear of dogs ever since he is a little boy. He would shiver in his boots thinking of a dog barking at him, biting him, or that could chase him. He had never met a single dog he liked. The scarier dog he had ever seen was Mr. Green’s dog, whom he had to pass every day. On his way to school. This dog barked so loudly it made Josh’s hairs stand on end.
She said that there was no need to be afraid. Josh’s mom told him that dogs only barked because they were excited to see him. She told him that he just needed to be confident and not act afraid of this dogs’ barking, and speak in a reassuring tone. Then the dog would quiet down and act more friendly.
Josh felt that neither confidence or a reassuring tone would make any difference. He didn’t think he would ever get over his fear. However, one day he had enough. Barking for hours, he realized the dog was bored and just needed a friend. He wasn’t sure if his mother’s advice would prove true? Hiding his fear, he approached the dog and spoke to it in a reassuring tone. To his surprise, the dog wagged it’s tail and quieted down right away.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
most scary
scary
NO CHANGE
more scary
scariest
scariest
This question asks you to select the correct comparative or superlative form of an adjective. Mr. Green's dog is not being compared to any other dogs, but is being singled out as the worst. Therefore, the context of this passage calls for a superlative adjective, not a comparative adjective like "scarier." The correct superlative form of the adjective "scary" is "scariest."
Example Question #1845 : Act English
Maybe your thinking of getting a dog; but you are not sure how it will affect your budget. Don’t worry! It’s possible to enjoy the companionship with a dog without spending too much of your precious dollars.
First, you will want to make a list of all the necessary items needed before you bring Fluffy home. Compare costs at different pet stores, grocery stores and big box stores. You will need to buy food, a leash, and purchase toys for your dog.
When it comes to the many dog food choices, you don’t want to just buy the cheaper option. You will want to do some research to see what is healthiest for your dog! One of the best ways to save money on dog food is to buy it in bulk.
Don’t forget to plan for some other big expenses, the vet consultation, wellness exam, and any treatments your dog needs. When you bring your pet to the vet, they may need shots, which can vary for price. Call different clinics in the area and ask how much they charge for the standard immunizations? You might find that there is a lot of differences between offices.
The key to sticking to your budget is planning everything out! With good preparation and organization, a dog will not cost you more money than you planned for.
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."
NO CHANGE
more cheap
cheap
cheapest
most cheap
cheapest
This question asks you to select the correct comparative or superlative form of an adjective. Since the sentence references the existence of "many dog food choices," we know there are more than two brands. Therefore, it is appropriate to use a superlative form rather than a comparative form. The correct superlative form of the adjective "cheap" is "cheapest."
Example Question #34 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb Errors
Going to France for the summer was much more expensive than living at home. Overall though, I would rate traveling in Europe as ever-so-slightly more enjoyable than sleeping on my parents' hide-away bed.
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."
expensivest compared to
much expensiver than
expensive
most expensive compared to
NO CHANGE
NO CHANGE
This question asks you about the correct form of a comparative verb. Since only two things are being compared in this sentence, we should use a comparative form rather than a superlative form like "most expensive." The correct comparative form of the adjective "expensive" is "most expensive."
Example Question #33 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb Errors
On the weekends, I enjoy hiking, baking, dancing, and to spend time with my friends. Most of all, however, I love to run. I never thought of myself as a talented runner. However, when Jenna moved to my neighborhood, she inspired me to join the track team and find my stride. We met when we were both walking to class, and when I asked Jenna about her elective classes, she enthusiastically began talking about the track team. “You should join”! she exclaimed. I told her I’m not a very good runner, and she responded that anybody could be a decent runner with enough practice and the right attitude.
We started practicing after school and on weekends, and eventually I decided to try out for the team. To my surprise, I made the cut. Even though everybody else had a faster finish time than me, I enjoyed being part of the first race of the semester.
Because she is both dedicated and naturally talented, Jenna is the better runner on the entire team. Despite her success, she is never arrogant and always willing to help others develop their athletic skills. When all of the high schools in the state send they’re top three runners to the championship, everyone on the team travel to support Jenna.
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."
NO CHANGE
the better of all the runners
best of a runner
the best runner
better at running
the best runner
When more than two things are being compared, in this case all of the runners on the team (assume team means more than two unless stated otherwise) use the superlative "best" instead of the comparative "better."
Example Question #1501 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Humanities: This passage is adapted from chapter three of Sir John Lubbock’s The Pleasures of Life. The chapter is entitled “A Song of Books” and was written in 1887.
Of all the privileges we enjoy in this nineteenth century there is none, perhaps, for which we ought to be more thankful than for the easier access to books.
The debt we owe to books was well expressed and articulated by Richard de Bury, Bishop of Durham, author of Philobiblon, written as long ago as 1344, published in 1473, and the earliest English treatise on the delights of literature: "These,” he says, “are the masters who instruct us without rods and ferules, without hard words and anger, without clothes or money. If you approach them, they are not asleep; if you interrogate them, they conceal nothing; if you mistake them, they never grumble; if you are ignorant, they cannot laugh at you. The library, therefore, of wisdom is more precious than all riches, and nothing that can be wished for is worthy to be compared with it. Whosoever therefore acknowledges himself to be a zealous follower of truth, of happiness, of wisdom, of science, or even of the faith, must of necessity make himself a lover of books.”
This feeling that books are real friends is constantly present to all who love reading. “I have friends,” said Petrarch, “whose society is extremely agreeable to me; they are of all ages, and of every country. They have distinguished themselves both in the cabinet and in the field, and obtained high honors for their knowledge of the sciences. It is easy to gain access to them, for they are always at my service, and I admit them to my company, and dismiss them from it, whenever I please. They are never troublesome, but immediately answer every question I ask them. Some relate to me the events of past ages, while others reveal to me the secrets of Nature. Some teach me how to live, and others how to die. Some, by their vivacity, drive away my cares and exhilarate my spirits; while others give fortitude to my mind, and teach me the important lesson how to restrain my desires, and to depend wholly on myself. They open to me, in short, the various avenues of all the arts and sciences, and upon their information I may safely rely in all emergencies. In return for all their services, they only ask me to accommodate them with a convenient chamber in some corner of my humble habitation, where they may repose in peace; for these friends are more delighted by the tranquillity of retirement than with the tumults of society.”
“He that loveth a book,” says Isaac Barrow, “will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counsellor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself, as in all weathers, so in all fortunes.”
"These,” he says, “are the masters who instruct us without rods and ferules, without hard words and anger, without clothes or money.
The word "ferules" in the sentence below most nearly means __________.
paddles
sticks
ashes
ladles
paddles
While the forms of sticks and rods may be quite similar, the word "ferule" is used in this context to denote something used harshly.
Example Question #2 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
It was about halfway through his last set of conferences that Mr. Man realizes (1) he did not (2) much like his current set of students. Unlike his students in the past, none of them seemed to care about their (3) grades, (4) none of them was able to tell a dangling modifier from a participle, (4) and, apart from a few, (4) they didn't know (5) how to start a paper. He would never tell any of them this, of course, (6) they might get offended, and if there was one thing that Mr. Man learned (7) about teaching, its (8) that in order to keep one's job, you couldn't offend your students (9). As yet another student whined about not understanding Mr. Mans (10) perfectly clearly written assignments, he sighed inwardly (and possibly outwardly as well), (11) and waited for the last (12) one to finish so that he could get to the next one, finish his conferences, and get back to daydreaming about being anything but a teacher.
Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake preceding the question number. If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."
none of them knew
none knew
they did not know
NO CHANGE
none of them knew
In order to make this clause parallel to the other two clauses, the wording should be changed to "none of them knew."
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