ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #673 : Improving Sentences
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.
Much of the time, only the most discerning animal trainer cannot tell the difference between thoroughbreds Arabians and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds Arabians, and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds Arabians and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds Arabians and saddlebred, horses.
between, thoroughbreds, Arabians and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds, Arabians, and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds, Arabians, and saddlebred horses.
The three items in the list of the underlined portion of the sentence, "thoroughbreds" and "Arabians" and "saddlebred horses," are lumped together in one large pile. All such lists need to be separated by commas, to show the separate items clearly. The only answer choice that correctly does this is "between thoroughbreds, Arabians, and saddlebred horses."
Example Question #314 : Comma 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The writer was considered washed up, with a style that was outdated stale and unsatisfying.
with a style, that was outdated stale and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated stale and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated, stale, and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated, stale, and, unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated stale, and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated, stale, and unsatisfying.
A list like the one that makes up the object of the underlined phrase must be have its items appropriately separated by commas, which the sentence does not do as it is written. The only answer choice that correctly separates the three items by using commas is "with a style that was outdated, stale, and unsatisfying."
Example Question #674 : Improving Sentences
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 study of popular culture involves analyzing many different phenomena, including television advertising, and social media.
includes television advertising and social media.
includes television, advertising, and social media.
including television, advertising, and social media.
including television advertising, and social media.
including, television advertising, and social media.
including television, advertising, and social media.
The underlined portion of the sentence includes a list of three items. All such lists must have the items in them separated in some fashion; therefore, the correct answer is "including television, advertising, and social media."
Example Question #331 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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 hardest thing, for most new pianists to learn is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing for most new pianists to learn, is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing, for most new pianists, to learn is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing, for most new pianists to learn, is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing, for most new pianists to learn is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing for most new pianists to learn is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing for most new pianists to learn is the correct hand position.
The comma in the sentence is incorrectly deployed, as it divides a continuous phrase into two parts. The sentence should actually have no commas in it, as the sentence works as a continual phrase. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "The hardest thing for most new pianists to lean is the correct hand position."
Example Question #1487 : Psat Writing Skills
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.
"What goes around comes around" is an idiom that often does not make sense outside of a larger context.
"What goes, around, comes around" is an idiom
What goes around comes around is an idiom
"What goes around comes around" is an idiom
"What goes around comes around" are idioms
"What goes around, comes around" is an idiom
"What goes around, comes around" is an idiom
The phrase in quotation marks, "What goes around comes around," is the subject of the sentence, but described as an idiom. This means that it needs to be treated as a full sentence, because it is being referred to as a singular whole. To be a complete sentence, a comma needs to be put between its two parts, making ""What goes around, comes around" is an idiom," the correct answer choice.
Example Question #591 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
Making a great deal of money, is rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money, is rarely a path to happiness.
Making, a great deal of money, is rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money is rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money, rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money, being rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money is rarely a path to happiness.
The use of the comma in the middle of this sentence is completely unnecessary and weirdly divides the sentence into two. No punctuation is needed in this sentence, and the best choice is to remove the comma. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "Making a great deal of money is rarely a path to happiness."
Example Question #592 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
Many former army commanders came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many former army commanders came out against the plan in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many former army commanders came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon, as the story was leaked.
Many former army commanders, came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many, former army commanders, came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many, former army commanders came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many former army commanders came out against the plan in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
The sentence does not need more commas inserted into it, but fewer. The sole usage in the sentence is a comma splice, or a random insertion of a comma where it should not be. The correct answer choice is "Many former army commanders came out against the plan in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked."
Example Question #592 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
Under no circumstances, would he let his child go to the public pool.
Under no circumstances, would he leave
Under no circumstances' would he let
Under no circumstances would he let
Under, no circumstances, would he let
Under no circumstances, would he let
Under no circumstances would he let
The use of the comma after "circumstances" is incorrect, as the verb "would" connects the conditional phrase to the rest of the sentence. This means no punctuation is necessary, so "Under no circumstances would he let" is the correct answer.
Example Question #591 : Correcting Punctuation 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 worst part, about his new job, was working longer hours without overtime.
The worst part about his new job,
The worst part about his new job
The worst part about, his new job,
The worst part, about his new job
The worst part, about his new job,
The worst part about his new job
The phrase "about his new job" is vital to the construction of the sentence, as it provides information about the second part of the sentence; therefore, it should not be set apart by commas. The correct answer is "The worst part about his new job."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Commas
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.
Meg and her friend Seth, were both fascinated by honeybees, which can distinguish between hundreds of different flowers' scents.
Meg and her friend Seth, were both fascinated by honeybees, which
Meg and her friend, Seth, were both fascinated by honeybees which
Meg and her friend, Seth, were both fascinated by honeybees, which
Meg, and her friend Seth, were both fascinated by honeybees, which
Meg and her friend Seth were both fascinated by honeybees which
Meg and her friend, Seth, were both fascinated by honeybees, which
In this sentence, “Seth” and “which can distinguish between hundreds of different flower scents” are relative clauses. In other words, they’re non-essential information that can be removed and still leave a complete sentence. Therefore, they must be set off from the rest of the sentence with commas.
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