ACT English : Modifier-Word Modified Countability Errors
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Example Question #241 : Agreement Errors
Adapted from The Life of Christopher Columbus by Edward Everett Hale (1891 G. L. Howe and Co. ed.)
Santa Fe was half camp, half city. It had been built in what is called the Vega, the great fruitful plain which extends for much miles to the westward of Grenada. The court and army were here as they pressed their attack on that city. Perez de Marchena had ready access to Queen Isabella, and pressed his suit well. He was supported by one of her favorites, the Marquesa de Moya. In reply to their solicitations, she asked that Columbus should return to her, and ordered that twenty thousand maravedis should be sent to him for his traveling expenses.This sum was immediately sent by Perez to his friend. Columbus bought a mule, exchanged his worn clothes for better ones, and started, as he was bidden, for the camp.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
a great deal of
a large amount of
many
NO CHANGE.
mostly
many
This question requires the reader to fix the modifier of the noun "miles." Miles are countable; therefore, the quantifying modifier must also be appropriate for countable nouns. The only quantifier that can be used with countable nouns here is "many." "Mostly" is an adverb and is ungrammatical.
Example Question #1 : Modifier Word Modified Countability Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Joana attributed any of her interest in animals to a free-wheeling childhood spent on her grandparents' farm.
many
NO CHANGE
few
several
much
much
This question requires the reader to choose the modifier of the word "interest." Interest is NOT a countable noun, therefore we must use a quantifying modifier that is appropriate for uncountable nouns. From the option choices, "much" is the only appropriate uncountable modifier.
Example Question #2 : Modifier Word Modified Countability Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Without a great number of guidance, Michael was able to put the crib together himself.
much
NO CHANGE
many
fewer
numerous
much
This question requires the reader to find a quantifying modifier that correctly quantifies the noun "guidance." "Guidance" is uncountable, therefore the countable modifier a "a great number of" is incorrect, and should be replaced with the countable modifier "much."
Example Question #1 : Modifier Word Modified Countability 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 ordered four coffee at the counter before picking out a muffin.
NO CHANGE
I ordered four cups of coffee
I ordered several coffee
I ordered many coffee
I ordered a few cups coffee
I ordered four cups of coffee
"Coffee" is a substance, which is usually considered uncountable ("coffee keeps me up all night"), but "coffee" can also be used countably if paired with a measurement. In this case,"cups" works to make coffee countable.
Example Question #1 : Modifier Word Modified Countability Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The farmer's market attracts all sorts of customers every week, including regulars as well as newcomers. By now, I know a great deal of their faces, but I'm terrible at recalling their names.
none of
NO CHANGE.
a great amount of
a little of
many of
many of
This questions requires the reader decide whether the quantifying modifier "a great deal of" is properly used to modify "faces." Faces can be counted, therefore we must choose an alternative that is a countable modifier. The only possible options would be "many of" or "none of" for that reason. "None of" can be used for countable or uncountable nouns. Between these two, only "many of" works in the context of this passage.
Example Question #3 : Modifier Word Modified Countability Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Are there a bit of cupcakes on the counter for the birthday party? We are expecting 35 guests and I want to make sure everyone gets one.
NO CHANGE
little
more of
much
enough
enough
"Cupcakes" are countable, therefore an uncountable modifier (i.e. a little, a bit, a great amount of, a great deal of) cannot be used. "Enough" can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns, and is the most appropriate option to replace the underlined portion.
Example Question #4 : Modifier Word Modified Countability Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
There are a large amount of theories that try to explain both the history and the fate of the universe. However, they will remain as theories until technology allows for the collection of more data.
a huge amount of
NO CHANGE
a great deal of
a little bit of
several
several
"Theories" are countable, therefore "several" is the best answer. "A large amount of" is used for uncountable nouns, and therefore is not an acceptable alternative.
Example Question #5 : Modifier Word Modified Countability Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Dr. Brown spent many hours hunched over bee hives, watching the insects leave and return to their nest.
plenty
large
much
NO CHANGE
little
NO CHANGE
This question requires the reader to choose the modifier of the word "hours." "Hours" is a plural, countable noun, therefore we must use a quantifying modifier that is appropriate for countable nouns. From the option choices, "many" is the only appropriate countable modifier. "Plenty" can also be used to modify countable nouns; however, it must be paired with the word "of" to be appropriate.
Example Question #6 : Modifier Word Modified Countability 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 can think of much reasons to bake this afternoon, although I am out of flour.
some
NO CHANGE
greater
often
less
some
"Reasons" is countable, but the example sentence uses the uncountable modifier "much." The only countable modifier provided is "some."
Example Question #7 : Modifier Word Modified Countability Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Abruptly, Mrs. Soble addressed her class, "Everyone, please take out a bit of pieces of paper for the impromptu dictation."
less
NO CHANGE
some
more
few
some
This question requires the reader to find an countable modifier that correctly quantifies the noun "pieces," since "pieces" is, indeed, a countable noun. "Some" can be used for countable and uncountable nouns, and is the correct answer in this case.
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