ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Usage 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.
She would frequently compare her mother with the most loving of saints.
to the most loving of saints.
to most loving of saints.
with most loving of saints.
with the most loving of saints.
with saints that are the most loving.
to the most loving of saints.
The grammatical error in the underlined portion is the use of the word "with." Comparisons are not done "with" something else, but "to" something else. The correct answer choice is "to the most loving of saints."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Preposition 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 amount of people living in the area was still a matter of much debate in researchers.
around research.
among research.
in researchers.
among researchers.
around researchers.
among researchers.
The underlined elements of the sentence have an issue with the usage of the preposition before researchers. The debate happens from one researcher to the next, and the correct preposition would indicate this. "Among researchers" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1 : Usage 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.
Questions are rarely asked by students in an imposing teacher.
by an imposing teacher.
in a teacher imposing.
through an imposing teacher.
to an imposing teacher.
in an imposing teacher.
to an imposing teacher.
The underlined portion of the sentence has an odd use of the preposition "in." The questions are actually being asked by students, directed at the teacher, and the preposition needs to reflect this; therefore, "to an imposing teacher" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Word Usage 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.
In the past, corporations had very few restrictions on what they had to pay from employee's wages.
for pay from employees' wages.
to pay from employees' wages.
to pay on employees' wages.
to pay for employees' wages.
to pay from employees' wage.
to pay for employees' wages.
The use of the preposition "from" in the sentence is very odd. The correct preposition needs to indicate the the "wages" are something the "corporations" give to the "employees." The answer choice that best reflexts this is "to pay for employees' wages."
Example Question #2 : Word Usage 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.
To some people, the idea of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is synonymous for rowdy behavior, noisiness, and disorder.
with
to
about
in meaning for
of
with
According to the idiomatic usage of prepositions, "synonymous" is typically followed by the preposition "with," not "for." All other variations are grammatically incorrect.
Example Question #11 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The mother was endlessly comparing her friends’ children against her own, something that drove her whole family crazy.
The mother was endlessly in comparison with her friends’ children with her own,
The mother was endlessly comparing her friends’ children with her own,
The mother was endlessly in comparison with her friends’ children and her own,
The mother was endlessly comparing her friends’ children against her own,
The mother was endlessly comparing her friends’ children for her own,
The mother was endlessly comparing her friends’ children with her own,
“With” and “to” are the only possible prepositions for the verb “compare.” “Compare with” is used for objects of essentially the same type (for example, comparing one family’s children with another family’s), while “compare to” is used for objects of essentially different types (for example, comparing a mother to a raging forest fire).
Example Question #11 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The beach can be a fun place to visit about long weekends.
The beach is always a fun place to visit beyond long weekends.
The beach is always a fun place to visit further long weekends.
The beach is often a fun place to visit around long weekends.
The beach can be a fun place to visit about long weekends.
The beach can be a fun place to visit on long weekends.
The beach can be a fun place to visit on long weekends.
Here, the preposition "on" is most appropriate of the choices available.
Example Question #11 : 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.
Never before did the members of the class see a sight such like that.
a sight such that.
sight such like that.
a sight such as that.
a sight such like.
a sight such like that.
a sight such as that.
"Such as" and "like" are related terms, with both being used to indicate examples of things mentioned earlier in the sentence. The correct usage, however, is either "such as" or "like," with "such like" being completely incorrect. The correct answer is "a sight such as that."
Example Question #1 : Verb Formation Errors
Jimmy is annoyed at the video game that he was playing. For one thing, there was not nearly enough interesting characters suspenseful moments or exciting escapes in the game to satisfy him. For another, it was incredibly hard while playing the game to control the cars. It always wanted to veer to the left when he tried to steer to the right. But the ending of the game was worst. By the time he got to the end, the hero had decided to stop chasing rogue spies and therefore marry his girlfriend, a surprise attack resulted in her being kidnapped, and the hero must go on a final mission to save her before the game can be completed. That would of been fine, except it involved tracking the enemy using a helicopter, and Jimmy much to his chagrin never mastered flying the helicopter.
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."
has been annoyed
was annoyed
NO CHANGE
will be annoyed
was annoyed
The entire passage is written in past tense, so the past tense form "was annoyed" is most appropriate here.
Example Question #11 : Act English
Jimmy is annoyed at the video game that he was playing. For one thing, there was not nearly enough interesting characters suspenseful moments or exciting escapes in the game to satisfy him. For another, it was incredibly hard while playing the game to control the cars. It always wanted to veer to the left when he tried to steer to the right. But the ending of the game was worst. By the time he got to the end, the hero had decided to stop chasing rogue spies and therefore marry his girlfriend, a surprise attack resulted in her being kidnapped, and the hero must go on a final mission to save her before the game can be completed. That would of been fine, except it involved tracking the enemy using a helicopter, and Jimmy much to his chagrin never mastered flying the helicopter.
Which is the best form of the bolded and underlined section?
is deciding
was deciding
decided
NO CHANGE
NO CHANGE
The hero's decision takes place in the past of other past events in the game, so the past perfect form ("had decided") is appropriate here.
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