ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors

The actor's moods would swing wildly, and in the span of five minutes he could want to fight, to sing, and discussing important topics.

Possible Answers:

to fight, to sing, and discussing important topics.

to fight, to sing, and to discuss important topics.

to fight to sing and discussing important topics.

to fight, to sing and discussing important topics.

to fight, singing, and discussing important topics.

Correct answer:

to fight, to sing, and to discuss important topics.

Explanation:

Any list like the one underlined in the sentence must feature a parallel structure in word form. Otherwise, as in the sentence, it compares unlike things such as a "want to fight" and "discussing important topics." The sentence needs to be improved to feature a parallel structure, something only done by the answer choice "to fight, to sing, and to discuss important topics."

Example Question #2331 : Sat Writing

The overbearing woman relentlessly criticized the girls for wearing makeup, having parties, and their inappropriate dress.

Possible Answers:

for wearing makeup, having parties, and dressing inappropriately.

for wearing makeup, having parties, and their inappropriately dressed.

for wearing makeup, in having parties, and their inappropriate dress.

for wearing makeup, having parties, and their inappropriate dress.

for wearing makeup, having parties, and there inappropriate dress.

Correct answer:

for wearing makeup, having parties, and dressing inappropriately.

Explanation:

The list that forms the underlined portion of the sentence has three items, but one is in a different format to the others, meaning unlike things are grouped together. Any such list needs to feature a parallel structure, where all the forms match each other. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "for wearing makeup, having parties, and dressing inappropriately."

Example Question #21 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors

To fish, hunting, and forage are necessary survival skills the group wanted to teach children.

Possible Answers:

To fish, hunting, and foraging 

Fishing, hunting, and forage 

Fishing, hunting, and foraging

To fish, hunting, and forage 

To fish, hunt, and foraging

Correct answer:

Fishing, hunting, and foraging

Explanation:

The list underlined in the sentence contains three unlike things, as the forms of the words are all quite different. All such lists need to feature a parallel structure to show it is a list of similar things. The correct answer choice, therefore, is "Fishing, hunting, and foraging." 

Example Question #42 : Parallel Structure Errors

The father was concerned about his children reading too little and to watch too much TV.

Possible Answers:

reading too little and watching too much TV.

reading little and to watch much TV.

reading too little and watch too much TV.

reading too little and to watch too much TV.

reading very little and to watch very much TV.

Correct answer:

reading too little and watching too much TV.

Explanation:

The two elements in the underlined portion of the sentence describe two different kinds of action, "reading" and "to watch." They need to be changed to have a similar structure to be described in the same clause; therefore, the correct answer choice is "reading too little and watching too much TV."

Example Question #43 : Parallel Structure Errors

The rejection of classical art was disturbing to neither pundits and laymen.

Which option best improves the underlined section of this sentence?

Possible Answers:

pundits nor laymen. 

neither pundits nor laymen. 

both pundits and laymen. 

pundits or laymen. 

either pundits and laymen. 

Correct answer:

both pundits and laymen. 

Explanation:

Logically, the rejection of art would be disturbing to pundits (a noun defined as learned individuals) and laymen. Using this knowledge, students could eliminate any answer choice that would say that this would not be disturbing. Even without this knowledge, based on the rule of concordance, students would know that the only plausible options are "both pundits and laymen" or "neither pundits nor laymen," because "neither" always goes with "nor" and "either" always goes with "or." So, the correct answer is "both pundits and laymen."

Example Question #44 : Parallel Structure 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.

My mother has always been amazing at cutting, sewing, and the design of clothing.

Possible Answers:

cutting, sewing, and the design of clothing.

cutting, sewing, and designing clothings.

cutting, sewing, and designing clothing.

cutting, sewing, and the designing of clothing.

to cut, to sew, and to design clothing.

Correct answer:

cutting, sewing, and designing clothing.

Explanation:

The verb structure in a sentence involving parallel structure, such as this one, should remain constant. In the original sentence, there are two progressive verbs followed by a noun that would be better written as a verb. Changing "design of clothing" to "designing clothing" results in a more consistent parallel structure that involves three progressive verbs.

Example Question #45 : Parallel Structure 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.

Dan loves to play tennis and riding his bicycle.

Possible Answers:

to ride his bicycle

ridden his bicycle

rides his bicycle

having ridden his bicycle

rode his bicycle

Correct answer:

to ride his bicycle

Explanation:

This sentence uses parallel structure, so we need to make sure both of its verbs match in terms of tense and verb form. We cannot change "to play tennis," so we need to make "riding his bicycle" match the tense and verb form of "to play tennis." "To play" is an infinitive, so we need to change "riding" to "to ride," another infinitive, yielding "to ride his bicycle," the correct answer.

Example Question #46 : Parallel Structure 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.

Singing, dancing, and the ability to act at the highest level are all required of Broadway performers.

Possible Answers:

Singing, dancing, and acting

Singing, dancing, and the ability to act

Singing dancing and the ability to act

Singing, to dance, and the ability to act

Singing, dancing, and the ability of acting

Correct answer:

Singing, dancing, and acting

Explanation:

The list that is underlined in the sentence has an issue with containing unlike forms. Therefore, they should be changed to have a consistent parallel structure. "Singing, dancing, and acting" is the only answer choice that uses the appropriate structure.

Example Question #1551 : Correcting Grammatical 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 soccer players were required to be skilled at kicking, running, and defensive skills.

Possible Answers:

at the kicking, the running, and the defensive skills.

at kicking, running, and defending.

at kicking, running, and defensive skills.

at kicking, running, and their defensive skills.

at kicking, running, and defensive.

Correct answer:

at kicking, running, and defending.

Explanation:

The list featured in the underlined section is united by the same verb, but it does not have the same structure in all of its elements, two of which are gerunds ("kicking" and "running") and one of which is a noun phrase ("defensive skills"). The sentence needs to have its elements changed so that they match each other. Only "at kicking, running, and defending" features the appropriate parallel structure.

Example Question #1471 : 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.

Neither bigotry nor hating will be tolerated anymore in the new nation.

Possible Answers:

Neither bigots nor hating 

Neither bigotry nor hatred

Either bigotry nor hating 

Neither bigotry or hating 

Neither bigotry nor hating 

Correct answer:

Neither bigotry nor hatred

Explanation:

"Bigotry" and "hating" are described in the same "Neither...nor" phrase, but are actually two different forms, a noun and a participle. To appropriately be joined, the two must have a parallel structure. The only answer choice with a correct parallel structure is "Neither bigotry nor hatred," in which both "bigotry" and "hatred" are nouns.

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