ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #781 : Punctuation Errors

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

I'm going to start a brand new blog focusing on the Civil War (in addition to my blog about the Revolutionary War).

Possible Answers:

(I'm going to start a brand new blog) focusing on the Civil War in addition to my blog about the Revolutionary War.

I'm going to start a brand new (blog focusing on the Civil War in addition to my blog about the Revolutionary War). 

I'm going to start a brand new blog (focusing on the Civil War in addition) to my blog about the Revolutionary War.

I'm going to start a brand new blog focusing on the Civil War (in addition to my blog about the Revolutionary War.)

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of parentheses. Parentheses should be used to mark off information that qualifies or explains the information preceding it. In this case, the information inside the parentheses, "in addition to my blog about the Revolutionary War," qualifies the creation of a "brand new blog focusing on the Civil War." The sentence must be complete even if the information in parentheses were removed, so it is not correct to include other parts of the sentence inside the parentheses. When the information in parentheses does not form a complete sentence, the period should be placed outside of the parentheses.

Example Question #782 : Punctuation Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the text. If the underlined portion is correct as written, select “NO CHANGE.”

Jane made so many good friends during her time at university (but more importantly, she also obtained her degree). She would go on to use her degree to get a banking job.

Possible Answers:

university--but more importantly, she also obtained her degree.

 university. (More importantly, she also obtained her degree.)

 university. And, more importantly, she also obtained her degree.

university, and more importantly, she also obtained her degree.

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

university--but more importantly, she also obtained her degree.

Explanation:

This question asks you about the best way to use parentheses and dashes. Parentheses should surround information that adds detail, but is not essential to the text, and their effect is to downplay the importance of this information. The use of the phrase "more importantly" suggests that parentheses are not a good choice. The use of a comma and the conjunction "and" is technically correct, but not the strongest structure because it also downplays important information. The best choice of punctuation is a dash, which draws attention to the information that follows. The dash also correctly characterizes the abrupt shift from the topic of Jane's friends to the topic of her degree.

Example Question #22 : Errors Involving Hyphens, Dashes, And Parentheses

“Justice and Parents”

We tend to think of justice as a matter of strict equality.  For example if someone wants to buy an item, they are understandably expected to pay an amount that is roughly equal to its value.  Likewise, when a law declares that the penalty for speeding is $150, it is considered just that one who breaks this law pays the fine.  However, justice can also pertain to matters that are beyond mere equality.

An obvious example of this is the case of the relationship between children and their parents.  Unlike the cases discussed earlier, children will have had little opportunity to repay they’re parents for all that they have done for them.  Technically speaking, strict “equality” would require the child to give birth to the parents.  This is an absurd thing to suggest.  Similarly absurd is the suggestion that children should directly repay the rearing offered by parents.  Once again, strict equality cannot occur in the child-parent relationship.

However, there is a kind of justice between children and his or her parents.  For example, when a parent ages and is in need of assistance, if the adult child can provide assistance but refuses to do so.  This is a kind of injustice to the parents.  On a more positive note.  For example, an adult child might send his parents on a cruise in memory of their anniversary.  Such an action would be a kind of “justice” done to the parents—at least in that it recognizes the immense debt that is owed by the child to the parents in question.

In these (and many other cases), justice is less about equality than it is about paying what one can pay.  That is, in such cases, both justice or injustice is determined by worthiness that surpasses mere equality.  This kind of justice could be called justice above justice.  That is, it is a kind of justice that surpasses the “normal” justice of equality.  Such acts of justice ensure that society does not become reduced to the cold calculation of equality but, instead, has the warmth of true affection and loving gratitude.

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."

Possible Answers:

In this (and many other cases)

NO CHANGE

In these and many other cases

In these (and many other) cases

In this case, as in many other cases,

Correct answer:

In this case, as in many other cases,

Explanation:

Technically, this sentence is referring back to the previous example. Hence, it is referring back to a case that is singular. It is best to refer back to "this" (meaning the case just mentioned about adult children) and perhaps remove the parentheses altogether, as they break up the flow a bit. Thus, the best option is, "In this case, as in many other cases." This introduction is much clearer than the other options.

Example Question #1153 : Act English

“What is Leisure?” 

It would likely surprise [1] modern readers if he or she were told that the meaning of life is leisure. This seems to be the same thing as saying that the meaning of life is nothing more than relaxing by the side of the pool. [2] One can imagine almost anyone thinking to himself, “What a preposterous idea.” This idea is not as foreign as it might appear at first glance. Indeed, [3] it could be considered the classic Western position about the very meaning of life. [4] This, of course, lies in contrast to all other global positions, but that’s a topic for another day. 

[5] Of course, we need to understand what is meant by the word leisure if we are going to understand this assertion. The best way to understand this is to consider a contrast between two different kinds of activity. [6] On the one hand, there are many activities that are for the sake of something else. [7] On the other hand. There are those activities that are done for their own sake. These latter kinds of activities are those that are properly understood as being leisurely. [8] For example, when someone cuts onions for a meal, the cutting of the onions is not done for their own sake. The easiest way to figure out if something is being done for the sake of another end is to ask, “Why are you doing that.” [9] The onion cutter will answer, “I am doing it so that I can make dinner.” This helps us to see that the cutting of the onions is for the sake of something else. [10] Indeed, even the eating of dinner is for the sake of something else, namely attaining adequate nutrition. 

[11] In contrast to these examples, leisurely activities are those that are done for they’re own sake. [12] For example, ask someone who enjoys organ music why he is listening to an organ concert. The answer will almost certainly be, “For the sake of listening to organ music. It is that important and beautiful!” Many things can be considered leisurely, including forms of games that are played merely for their own enjoyment; however, it is important to bear in mind that there is a hierarchy of goods. [13] Some types of leisure are better than others and likely are more preferable.

Choose the answer that best corrects section [9].

Possible Answers:

The onion cutter will answer, “I am doing it so that I can make dinner!”

The onion-cutter will answer, “I am doing it so that I can make dinner!”

NO CHANGE

The onion-cutter will answer, “I am doing it so that I can make dinner.”

Correct answer:

The onion-cutter will answer, “I am doing it so that I can make dinner.”

Explanation:

The expression "onion cutter" is really a kind of compound word, composed of two nouns. You should indicate this compounding by using a hyphen between the words. This helps to make them into a single subject for the sentence. Note, however, that it is not necessary to use an exclamation point for the quotation. We really don't know if the onion-cutter is that emphatic about the nature of his action!

Example Question #1 : Subject Verb Agreement Errors

The common goose is one type of bird that flies south for the winter.

Possible Answers:

birds that fly

birds that are flying

bird that fly

NO CHANGE

birds that flies

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

The original word choice is the only noun-verb pairing that correctly pairs the singular "type" with the underlined portion. Remember: all connected nouns in a name or clause must match, either singular or plural.

Example Question #2 : Subject Verb Agreement Errors

Make any necessary changes to the underlined word or phrase in the sentence.

The entire cast from her favorite television show, except the actress who plays the main character, were present at the event.

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

had been present

is present

was present

Correct answer:

was present

Explanation:

A television "cast" is singular, so “was” matches the singular noun. All other options change the tense.

Example Question #3 : Subject Verb Agreement Errors

One of the most popular programs of all those featured on the Internet (1) is a video clip show.  The format of the show is simple, each (2) week the host, a short but attractive New York native named John Jackson introduces (3) a set of three video clips from all over the Internet.  These clips shows (4) people hurting themselves in accidents, getting into crazy situations, interacting stupidly with animals, and et cetera. (5) Jackson introduces each clip comically and often comments on the action with animations where (6) he makes fun of the people in the videos.  While the videos are often funny, there is definitely an element of schadenfreude involved in watching these clips.  Schadenfreude is a German word for "the pleasure one takes at seeing the suffering of others".  (7) Jacksons (8) show are (9) not far removed from popular TV programs like (10) The U.S. Laughs at You there is also a version of which (11) on the Internet.  It is an open question whether laughing at these videos is a harmless activity or it causes harm to us. (12)

Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake preceding the question number.  If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

These clips show

These clips showing

Those clips shows

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

These clips show

Explanation:

The error is subject-verb agreement, so the correct answer should be "these clips show."

Example Question #4 : Subject Verb Agreement Errors

One of the most popular programs of all those featured on the Internet (1) is a video clip show.  The format of the show is simple, each (2) week the host, a short but attractive New York native named John Jackson introduces (3) a set of three video clips from all over the Internet.  These clips shows (4) people hurting themselves in accidents, getting into crazy situations, interacting stupidly with animals, and et cetera. (5) Jackson introduces each clip comically and often comments on the action with animations where (6) he makes fun of the people in the videos.  While the videos are often funny, there is definitely an element of schadenfreude involved in watching these clips.  Schadenfreude is a German word for "the pleasure one takes at seeing the suffering of others".  (7) Jacksons (8) show are (9) not far removed from popular TV programs like (10) The U.S. Laughs at You there is also a version of which (11) on the Internet.  It is an open question whether laughing at these videos is a harmless activity or it causes harm to us. (12)

Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake preceding the question number.  If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

shows are

shows is

NO CHANGE

show is

Correct answer:

show is

Explanation:

Johnson has only one show with several episodes, and thus the error is a subject-verb agreement problem that can only be fixed with "show is."

Example Question #3 : Agreement Errors

Many people watch football however (1) some do not. With (2) those who do not watch this sport (3) football is an incomprehensible pastime. Non football (4) fans cannot understand what is so exciting about watching two packs of grown men running away or toward each other, while (5) clinging for dear life to a piece of pigskin. It also makes from little to no sense (6) why those whom (7) play the sport gets (8) paid the exorbitant amounts that they do, even though he is (9) in effect doing the same thing that high school and college students do on a daily bases (10). But as the French would say, "Chacun à son goût" (11) though its (12) highly doubtful that most football fans (or even people who are not fans) would know what that means.

Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake preceding the question number. If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

has gotten

NO CHANGE

have gotten

get

Correct answer:

get

Explanation:

The verb should be conjugated to agree with the plural "those" and should remain in present tense, so "get" is the most appropriate answer.

Example Question #5 : Subject Verb Agreement Errors

The student the hand of whom was up (1) gave the wrong answer. She was asked what was a substantive adjective (2), and she answered that a substantive adjective is one that describe (3) a substance. "No!" (4) the teacher barked. "A substantive adjective takes the place of a noun in a sentence, as when someone talks about the rich and the poor (5). Did you learn nothing in this class?" He then asked what a superlative adjective was, to which she replied (6) that a superlative adjective was one that took the place of a noun in a sentence. "But thats (7) what I just said," the teacher screamed! (8) The student had said (9) that she had heard him, therefore (10) she answered his question. "You answered my question previously, (11)" he bellowed, "not the last one!" "Ah, you mean the latest one," the student replied, the moment at which (12) the teacher turned to the wall and started beating his head against it.

Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake preceding the question number. If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

those that describe

NO CHANGE

one that describes

ones that describe

Correct answer:

one that describes

Explanation:

The phrase "one that describes" is the only one that maintains the correct subject-verb agreement and also agrees with the rest of the sentence.

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