ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #172 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
He had admired athletes for a long time, wants them to talk to him every chance he could
and wants them to
wanting them to
wants them to
wanted them to
and wanted them to
and wanted them to
There are two grammatical errors in the underlined portion of the sentence. First, the two independent clauses need to be joined by the conjunction "and." Second, the two verb forms in the two clauses should be parallel, leaving "and wanted them to," as the only correct answer choice.
Example Question #162 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
I should have stayed home from school today. Because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.
I should have stayed home from school today, because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.
I should have stayed home from school today; because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.
I should have stayed home from school today because of this stomach virus I am simply too sick to focus.
I should have stayed home from school today, because of this stomach virus; and because I am simply too sick to focus.
I should have stayed home from school today; because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.
The answer choice "I should have stayed home from school today; because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus" combines two independent clauses with a semicolon, the second of which supports the first closely enough to merit the semicolon.
Incorrect options:
"I should have stayed home from school today because of this stomach virus I am simply too sick to focus.": This answer choice is one sentence and a run-on.
"I should have stayed home from school today, because of this stomach virus, I am simply too sick to focus.": This answer choice combines two independent clauses with a comma, forming a run-on.
"I should have stayed home from school today, because of this stomach virus; and because I am simply too sick to focus.": This answer choice combines an independent and dependent clause with a semicolon, which you cannot do. The second part of the sentence is a fragment.
Example Question #16 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination Errors
Good ideas often come in bunches, overload a creative person's brain.
bunches, overloading a creative person's brain.
bunches, overload a creative person's brain.
bunches, overloads a creative person's brain.
bunches, overload the creative person's brain.
bunches overload a creative person's brain.
bunches, overloading a creative person's brain.
The underlined portion of the sentence contains an inappropriate use of the verb "overload." The use in the sentence needs to acknowledge the fact the final phrase is a fragment on its own. "Overloading" appropriately ties the phrase to the subject of "good ideas."
Example Question #173 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The entire class had to conduct a debate between historical figures, acted out each part based on extensive research.
acted out each part basing it on extensive research.
acting out each part based on extensive research.
acted out each part based on extensive research.
acted out each part basing on extensive research.
acted out every part based on extensive research.
acting out each part based on extensive research.
The use of the verb form "acted" makes the final part of the sentence an incomplete thought not connected to the first part of the sentence. The secondary clause must be joined with the main body of the sentence, either with a conjunction or a verb form that can connect the two. "Acting out each part based on extensive research," using the past participle, is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #171 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Choose the best way to rephrase the underlined portion of the sentence. One of the answer choices repeats the original phrasing.
The man who waved goodbye and headed back into the cold, wintry night.
Waving goodbye, the man who headed
The man waving goodbye, headed
The man who waved goodbye and headed
The man waved goodbye and headed
The man who waved goodbye, heading
The man waved goodbye and headed
The relative pronoun “who” makes this sentence into a fragment, because there is no longer a predicate. The best answer simply removes “who.”
Example Question #171 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 boy always gave his schoolwork his best shot but he never could make himself into a good student.
The boy always gave his schoolwork his best shot, he never could make himself into a good student.
The boy always gave his schoolwork his best shot but he never could making himself into a good student.
The boy always gives his schoolwork his best shot but he never could make himself into a good student.
The boy always gave his schoolwork his best shot but he never could make himself into a good student.
The boy always gave his schoolwork his best shot, but he never could make himself into a good student.
The boy always gave his schoolwork his best shot, but he never could make himself into a good student.
The sentence is written as a run-on sentence, as it is two complete thoughts not properly combined into a compound sentence. A compound sentence needs to have its two independent clauses joined by either a conjunction and a comma, or a semicolon. The only answer choice to employ either of these options is "The boy always gave his schoolwork his best shot, but he never could make himself into a good student."
Example Question #174 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 planes were designed to last for decades but unfortunately they proved to have mechanical problems immediately.
The planes were designed to last for decades and unfortunately they proved to have mechanical problems immediately.
The planes were designed to last for decades so unfortunately they proved to have mechanical problems immediately.
The planes were designed to last for decades, but unfortunately they proved to have mechanical problems immediately.
The planes were designed to last for decades but unfortunately they proved to have mechanical problems immediately.
The planes were designing to last for decades but unfortunately they proving to have mechanical problems immediately.
The planes were designed to last for decades, but unfortunately they proved to have mechanical problems immediately.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, or a sentence composed of two complete thoughts joined together to show their relationship. All compound sentences must be joined by either a semicolon or a conjunction and a comma. The only answer choice that does this is "The planes were designed to last for decades, but unfortunately they proved to have mechanical problems immediately."
Example Question #23 : Correcting Sentence Fragment And Sentence Combination 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.
Airplane travel is still a relatively recent phenomenon just a little more than a century has passed since the first flight.
recent phenomenon; just a little
recent phenomenon just a little
recent phenomenon, a little
recent phenomenon a little
recent phenomenon as just a little
recent phenomenon; just a little
The sentence is a compound sentence, or two sentences put together to show their relationship to each other. All such sentences need to have their two parts separated by either a comma and a conjunction or a semi-colon. "Recent phenomenon; just a little" is the only answer choice that does either.
Example Question #131 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
During the fireworks display, the colors that filled the sky like starbursts.
the colors filling the sky
the colors, which filled the sky
the colors that filled the sky
the colors filled the sky
the colors will fill the sky
the colors filled the sky
As it is written, the sentence is a fragment because of the word that. The sentence is therefore corrected by removing that.
Example Question #132 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
Going to college can lead to some fantastic careers, young adults who do not pursue additional education can find fulfilling and exciting jobs as well.
If going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Unless going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Although going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Since going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
Although going to college can lead to some fantastic careers
In its current state, this is a run-on sentence because it has two independent clauses that are not joined with a conjunction or semicolon. In this answer choice, the appropriate conjunction is added to the introductory clause, making the introductory clause dependent and the sentence grammatically correct.
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