ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #97 : Comma Errors

Alfred Tarski, born on January 14, 1901, became known during his lifetime as a brilliant mathematician and teacher. He is best known for proving several advanced geometric theorems. By the time Tarski moved to the United States, much of Europe has already fallen into the grips of World War II. Hundreds of mathematical problems were solved by Tarski.

Tarski enrolled in Warsaw University in 1920. Originally wishing to study biology, mathematics was the subject in which Tarski ultimately excelled. He graduated with honors, and began his career as a math teacher. A true mathematical virtuoso, Tarski was concerned with neither the application of his research nor publishing his findings.   

Discoveries made by Tarski influenced the work of one of the world’s greatest physicists, Albert Einstein. Einstein and Tarski had many similar interests in common. Unlike Albert Einstein, however, Tarski was especially fond for pure mathematics. Although Tarski and Einstein were contemporaries, Einstein was the most prolific writer of the two.

In 1929, Tarski married his co-worker, Maria Witkowska. An affinity for mathematics ran in the family. Tarski even admitted that his wife knew more about algebra, geometry and trigonometry than did he. Tarski's two children, Jan, and Ina, grew up to be prominent mathematicians themselves; however, neither Jan nor Ina have received a great deal of international attention.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

children, Jan and Ina,

children Jan and Ina

children, Jan and Ina

Correct answer:

children, Jan and Ina,

Explanation:

The appropriate way to write a list with two elements is simply to insert an "and" between them without any punctuation. The list containing "Jan" and "Ina" should therefore read "Jan and Ina". 

The phrase "Jan and Ina"  serves to define the phrase right before it—"Tarski's two children"—so "Jan and Ina" should be surrounded by commas. 

The correct form is therefore "Tarski's two children, Jan, and Ina, grew up to be prominent mathematicians themselves . . ." The correct answer is "children, Jan and Ina,"

Answer choice "Jan, and Ina" is incorrect because it contains an unnecessary comma between the two items in the list. Answer choices "children, Jan and Ina" and "children Jan and Ina" are incorrect because the phrase "Jan and Ina" is missing one or more surrounding commas.

Example Question #241 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

Alfred Tarski, born on January 14, 1901, became known during his lifetime as a brilliant mathematician and teacher. He is best known for proving several advanced geometric theorems. By the time Tarski moved to the United States, much of Europe has already fallen into the grips of World War II. Hundreds of mathematical problems were solved by Tarski.

Tarski enrolled in Warsaw University in 1920. Originally wishing to study biology, mathematics was the subject in which Tarski ultimately excelled. He graduated with honors, and began his career as a math teacher. A true mathematical virtuoso, Tarski was concerned with neither the application of his research nor publishing his findings.   

Discoveries made by Tarski influenced the work of one of the world’s greatest physicists, Albert Einstein. Einstein and Tarski had many similar interests in common. Unlike Albert Einstein, however, Tarski was especially fond for pure mathematics. Although Tarski and Einstein were contemporaries, Einstein was the most prolific writer of the two.

In 1929, Tarski married his co-worker, Maria Witkowska. An affinity for mathematics ran in the family. Tarski even admitted that his wife knew more about algebra, geometry and trigonometry than did he. Tarski's two children, Jan, and Ina, grew up to be prominent mathematicians themselves; however, neither Jan nor Ina have received a great deal of international attention.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

algebra, geometry, and, trigonometry

NO CHANGE

algebra, geometry, and trigonometry

algebra, geometry and, last but not least, trigonometry

Correct answer:

algebra, geometry, and trigonometry

Explanation:

In a list with three items, every single item should be separated by a comma, and the final element should include an "and" after the comma. In this case, "algebra, geometry, and trigonometry" is the appropriate format of the list and the correct answer.

Answer choices "geometry and" and "geometry and, last but not least, trigonometry" are incorrect because they do not contain a comma before the word "and."

Although answer choice "geometry, and, trigonometry" contains a comma before the word "and," it is nevertheless incorrect because it contains an extra comma after the word "and."

Example Question #99 : Comma Errors

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has become wide recognized as one of the most brilliant and influential musicians of all time. At only thirteen years old, he skillfully played several instruments and wrote in a variety of musical genres. Over the past century, his orchestral music, along with his many operas, have delighted audiences around the world. Mozart wrote his music for wealthy patrons and aristocrats, yet even the commoners of the time enjoyed his music. The music of Mozart is richer and more textured than his contemporary, Joseph Haydn.  

The Austro-Turkish War, which began in 1787, prompted the redirection of much of Austria’s resources from arts and music to the military. As a result, Mozart faced financial difficulties. In 1788, he discontinued his public concerts and his income declined. In 1790, hoping to improve his financial situation and circumstances, Mozart toured Berlin and several other cities in Germany. The tours were unsuccessful, however, and did not improve his financial problems.

Scholars have proposed several hypotheses regarding the cause of Mozart’s death, such as influenza, smallpox and meningitisTheir is little physical evidence, however, to support these claims. Mozart's funeral belied the elaborate ornamentation of his music: the ceremony was basic and reserved. In the period following his death, Mozart’s popularity increased significantly. Concert halls throughout Europe featured his music, and composers sought to imitate his style. Modern audiences praise Mozart’s music for its liveliness, expressiveness, and the fact that it is sophisticated.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

several instruments, and wrote,

NO CHANGE

several instruments and he wrote

several instruments, and wrote

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

"NO CHANGE" is the correct answer.

This sentence contains the subject "he" and two predicates: 1) "skillfully played several instruments" and 2) "wrote in a variety of musical genres." When a subject has two or more predicates (called a "complex predicate"), it is appropriate to join the predicates with a coordinating conjunction such as "and" or "but" without adding any punctuation.

The correct way to express the sentence is therefore "At only thirteen years old, he skillfully played several instruments and wrote in a variety of musical genres."

 

Example Question #100 : Comma Errors

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has become wide recognized as one of the most brilliant and influential musicians of all time. At only thirteen years old, he skillfully played several instruments and wrote in a variety of musical genres. Over the past century, his orchestral music, along with his many operas, have delighted audiences around the world. Mozart wrote his music for wealthy patrons and aristocrats, yet even the commoners of the time enjoyed his music. The music of Mozart is richer and more textured than his contemporary, Joseph Haydn.  

The Austro-Turkish War, which began in 1787, prompted the redirection of much of Austria’s resources from arts and music to the military. As a result, Mozart faced financial difficulties. In 1788, he discontinued his public concerts and his income declined. In 1790, hoping to improve his financial situation and circumstances, Mozart toured Berlin and several other cities in Germany. The tours were unsuccessful, however, and did not improve his financial problems.

Scholars have proposed several hypotheses regarding the cause of Mozart’s death, such as influenza, smallpox and meningitisTheir is little physical evidence, however, to support these claims. Mozart's funeral belied the elaborate ornamentation of his music: the ceremony was basic and reserved. In the period following his death, Mozart’s popularity increased significantly. Concert halls throughout Europe featured his music, and composers sought to imitate his style. Modern audiences praise Mozart’s music for its liveliness, expressiveness, and the fact that it is sophisticated.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

concerts, and, his income

NO CHANGE

concerts, and his income

concerts and, his income

Correct answer:

concerts, and his income

Explanation:

This sentence contains two independent clauses: 1) "he discontinued his public concerts," and  2) "his income declined."

Two independent clauses may be joined if there is a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (such as "and" or "but") between them.

The correct way to join the two independent clauses in this sentence is therefore "he discontinued his public concerts, and his income declined."

"NO CHANGE" and "concerts and, his income" are incorrect because they lack commas before the coordinating conjunction. While "concerts, and, his income" contains the comma before the coordinating conjunction, it is incorrect because it includes an unnecessary comma after the coordinating conjunction as well.

Example Question #242 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has become wide recognized as one of the most brilliant and influential musicians of all time. At only thirteen years old, he skillfully played several instruments and wrote in a variety of musical genres. Over the past century, his orchestral music, along with his many operas, have delighted audiences around the world. Mozart wrote his music for wealthy patrons and aristocrats, yet even the commoners of the time enjoyed his music. The music of Mozart is richer and more textured than his contemporary, Joseph Haydn.  

The Austro-Turkish War, which began in 1787, prompted the redirection of much of Austria’s resources from arts and music to the military. As a result, Mozart faced financial difficulties. In 1788, he discontinued his public concerts and his income declined. In 1790, hoping to improve his financial situation and circumstances, Mozart toured Berlin and several other cities in Germany. The tours were unsuccessful, however, and did not improve his financial problems.

Scholars have proposed several hypotheses regarding the cause of Mozart’s death, such as influenza, smallpox and meningitisTheir is little physical evidence, however, to support these claims. Mozart's funeral belied the elaborate ornamentation of his music: the ceremony was basic and reserved. In the period following his death, Mozart’s popularity increased significantly. Concert halls throughout Europe featured his music, and composers sought to imitate his style. Modern audiences praise Mozart’s music for its liveliness, expressiveness, and the fact that it is sophisticated.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

influenza, smallpox, and, meningitis

influenza, smallpox, and meningitis

influenza smallpox, and, meningitis

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

influenza, smallpox, and meningitis

Explanation:

The text contains a list with three items: 1) influenza, 2) smallpox, and 3) meningitis. The appropriate way to write a list with three or more items is to insert a comma between each of the items, and to insert the word "and" right before the final item (but after the comma).

The correct answer is therefore "influenza, smallpox, and meningitis."

Example Question #243 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

“Why Text Messaging is a Good Thing” by Chelci Spiegel (2013)

Many people today think that technology such as text messages and social networking sites are creating distant relationships among people. They say that the relationships are false because face-to-face time is diminishing however, I do not believe this to be the case. These are technologies and technologies are very important tools. That’s just it they’re tools. They can be good or bad depending on how they are used. I believe that text messaging is a benefit to society because it provides fast communication with multiple people unobtrusive conversation and responding time for the receiver.

Because text messaging exists we can tell many people something very important very quickly. It is like an SOS message to whomever needs to know. If I have car trouble I can send a text to my father, brother, and friends all at once. Instead of dialing each number separately and maybe or maybe not getting anyone they all get a message then, I receive help more quickly. A more concrete example is from what I was lost in the woods searching for my horse who was also lost late one evening. I sent out one text message to multiple people and by the time I had found my way back to the truck there were seven friends pulled up with trucks mountain bikes and flashlights to help search for the horses all night.  That is not evidence of relationships distanced by text messaging but brought together.

Because text messaging does not require voice it is far less obtrusive in public places. When I was standing in line at the grocery store one of the ladies were using their phone while waiting for their turn. I heard her entire life story her boy troubles, her work troubles her friend troubles and her money troubles. It was very distracting. With texting people can vent all their frustrations to someone privately. If I am trying to set a date for a barbaque, I can text my neighbor to work out details rather than let the entire store know my weekend plans. Texting is a way to conduct private business in public places.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

because it, provides fast communication with multiple people unobtrusive, conversation and responding, time for the receiver.

NO CHANGE

because it, being texting, provides fast communication with multiple people, unobtrusive conversation, and responding time for the receiver.

because it provides fast communication with multiple people, unobtrusive conversation, and responding time for the receiver.

because it: provides fast communication with multiple people unobtrusive conversation, and responding time for the receiver.

Correct answer:

because it provides fast communication with multiple people, unobtrusive conversation, and responding time for the receiver.

Explanation:

Commas are used to separate items in a series. In the case of this sentence, there is a series of three specific things the messages provide: communication, conversation, and time. Those things—AND the adjectives and prepositions that go with them—must be separated by commas.

Example Question #244 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

“Why Text Messaging is a Good Thing” by Chelci Spiegel (2013)

Many people today think that technology such as text messages and social networking sites are creating distant relationships among people. They say that the relationships are false because face-to-face time is diminishing however, I do not believe this to be the case. These are technologies and technologies are very important tools. That’s just it they’re tools. They can be good or bad depending on how they are used. I believe that text messaging is a benefit to society because it provides fast communication with multiple people unobtrusive conversation and responding time for the receiver.

Because text messaging exists we can tell many people something very important very quickly. It is like an SOS message to whomever needs to know. If I have car trouble I can send a text to my father, brother, and friends all at once. Instead of dialing each number separately and maybe or maybe not getting anyone they all get a message then, I receive help more quickly. A more concrete example is from what I was lost in the woods searching for my horse who was also lost late one evening. I sent out one text message to multiple people and by the time I had found my way back to the truck there were seven friends pulled up with trucks mountain bikes and flashlights to help search for the horses all night.  That is not evidence of relationships distanced by text messaging but brought together.

Because text messaging does not require voice it is far less obtrusive in public places. When I was standing in line at the grocery store one of the ladies were using their phone while waiting for their turn. I heard her entire life story her boy troubles, her work troubles her friend troubles and her money troubles. It was very distracting. With texting people can vent all their frustrations to someone privately. If I am trying to set a date for a barbaque, I can text my neighbor to work out details rather than let the entire store know my weekend plans. Texting is a way to conduct private business in public places.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

 voice it is far less,

 voice its far less

 voice, it is far less

 voice it is always far less

Correct answer:

 voice, it is far less

Explanation:

When a sentence begins with "because," it has a dependent clause. A comma must separate dependent clauses from the independent clause—the part of the sentence that can stand on its own.

Example Question #243 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

“Why Text Messaging is a Good Thing” by Chelci Spiegel (2013)

Many people today think that technology such as text messages and social networking sites are creating distant relationships among people. They say that the relationships are false because face-to-face time is diminishing however, I do not believe this to be the case. These are technologies and technologies are very important tools. That’s just it they’re tools. They can be good or bad depending on how they are used. I believe that text messaging is a benefit to society because it provides fast communication with multiple people unobtrusive conversation and responding time for the receiver.

Because text messaging exists we can tell many people something very important very quickly. It is like an SOS message to whomever needs to know. If I have car trouble I can send a text to my father, brother, and friends all at once. Instead of dialing each number separately and maybe or maybe not getting anyone they all get a message then, I receive help more quickly. A more concrete example is from what I was lost in the woods searching for my horse who was also lost late one evening. I sent out one text message to multiple people and by the time I had found my way back to the truck there were seven friends pulled up with trucks mountain bikes and flashlights to help search for the horses all night.  That is not evidence of relationships distanced by text messaging but brought together.

Because text messaging does not require voice it is far less obtrusive in public places. When I was standing in line at the grocery store one of the ladies were using their phone while waiting for their turn. I heard her entire life story her boy troubles, her work troubles her friend troubles and her money troubles. It was very distracting. With texting people can vent all their frustrations to someone privately. If I am trying to set a date for a barbaque, I can text my neighbor to work out details rather than let the entire store know my weekend plans. Texting is a way to conduct private business in public places.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

line at the grocery store, one of the ladies

Omit the underlined portion

line, at the grocery store one of the ladies

line at the grocery store one of the ladies,

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

line at the grocery store, one of the ladies

Explanation:

"While" is a word that begins a dependent clause, which is a section of a sentence that cannot stand alone.  A comma must separate a dependent clause from the independent one—the one that can stand alone.

Example Question #245 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

"The Election of 1800" by Alec Slatky (2013)

The presidential election of 1800 was an unusual and unique contest in American history. The opponents were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson former friends who became rivals. Jefferson had actually been Vice President under Adams, but had not supported the latter’s policies. Jefferson leapt at the chance to unseat his former boss. Adams, too, would have enjoyed spending time on his farm more than dealing with political acrimony. Accordingly, he was too prideful to willingly relinquish his office. So, the two men who were most qualified for the position but least excited to have such a stressful job became the presidential candidates.

The campaign was a bitter partisan one and included numerous personal attacks. Critics called Jefferson a Democratic-Republican radical, he would lead the country down the bloody path of the French Revolution. Jefferson’s allies fired back, painting Adams as an anti-liberty autocrat. Adams was from Massachusetts. Adams even faced opposition from some extremists among his fellow Federalists and thus lacked the party unity required to win the election.

In the end, Jefferson emerged victorious, winning 73 of the 138 electoral votes. Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated as President, and Aaron Burr was inaugurated as Vice President. The election was a milestone in American history: it was the first that shifted control of the White House to a different party, the first with a modern mudslinging campaign, and the first that truly tested whether the new nation would remain united despite all its divisions.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

radical who

radical, but

radical, maybe he

NO CHANGE

radical whom

Correct answer:

radical who

Explanation:

"Radical who" is correct because it is a complete sentence; "radical whom" is incorrect because “who” describes someone who is doing an action, which is the case here, and “whom” describes someone who has an action done to them. The other two choices are incorrect because they are run-on sentences—they connect two complete sentences with only a comma, not a period, semicolon, or conjunction.

Example Question #246 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

"The Election of 1800" by Alec Slatky (2013)

The presidential election of 1800 was an unusual and unique contest in American history. The opponents were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson former friends who became rivals. Jefferson had actually been Vice President under Adams, but had not supported the latter’s policies. Jefferson leapt at the chance to unseat his former boss. Adams, too, would have enjoyed spending time on his farm more than dealing with political acrimony. Accordingly, he was too prideful to willingly relinquish his office. So, the two men who were most qualified for the position but least excited to have such a stressful job became the presidential candidates.

The campaign was a bitter partisan one and included numerous personal attacks. Critics called Jefferson a Democratic-Republican radical, he would lead the country down the bloody path of the French Revolution. Jefferson’s allies fired back, painting Adams as an anti-liberty autocrat. Adams was from Massachusetts. Adams even faced opposition from some extremists among his fellow Federalists and thus lacked the party unity required to win the election.

In the end, Jefferson emerged victorious, winning 73 of the 138 electoral votes. Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated as President, and Aaron Burr was inaugurated as Vice President. The election was a milestone in American history: it was the first that shifted control of the White House to a different party, the first with a modern mudslinging campaign, and the first that truly tested whether the new nation would remain united despite all its divisions.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

Jefferson, former friends who became rivals.

Jefferson former friends, who became rivals.

Jefferson; former friends who became rivals.

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

Jefferson, former friends who became rivals.

Explanation:

"Jefferson, former friends who became rivals" is correct because the phrase "former friends who became rivals" modifies John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, so a comma is needed after "Jefferson." A semicolon will not work because "former friends who became rivals" is not a complete sentence, and a semicolon must contain a complete sentence on either side of it.

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