ACT English : Other Adjective and Adverb Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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 non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.
so it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfectly.
as it always handles its money perfect.
as it always handled it's money perfect.
as it always handled its money perfectly.
The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Even after giving it thoughtfully consideration, we are unfortunately not able to accept your application.
giving it thoughtfully considering
giving it thoughtful consideration
giving it thoughtfully consideration
thoughtfully given it consideration
thoughtfully give it consderation
giving it thoughtful consideration
The use of the adverb "thoughtfully" is incorrect here, as it is being used to modify the noun "consideration." Adjectives, not adverbs, are used to modify nouns. The correct phrase is therefore "giving it thoughtful consideration," which uses the adjective "thoughtful" instead of the adverb "thoughtfully."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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 abounded in the inquiry into illegal payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.
alleged making
allegedly making
alleged made
made alleged
allegedly made
allegedly made
The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."
Example Question #1952 : Sat Writing
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 old man usual took his walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.
The old man usually took
The old man usual took
The old man usual taken
The old man usual takes
The usual old man took
The old man usually took
The use of the word "usual" in the sentence is incorrect, as it describes the verb "took," which means it needs to take an adverb form. The only answer choice with the correct form that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "The old man usually took."
Example Question #161 : Other 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.
Marriages are increasing being delayed among young adults throughout the nation.
Marriages are increasingly being delayed
Marriages are increasing being delayed
Marriages are increasingly been delayed
Marriages are increasing being delaying
Marriages are increasingly being delaying
Marriages are increasingly being delayed
The word "increasing" in the sentence is used to describe the verb phrase "being delayed." Even though these words are not the verb in the sentence, they still need an adverb form to describe them. The correct answer is "Marriages are increasingly being delayed."
Example Question #161 : Other Usage Errors
The truth is, I kinda hate my brother. Can you blame me? We're always fighting. Today, he "borrowed" my favorite book and now its ripped in two. Likewise, my brother and I like to play sports together. We both bond over games like volleyball, and basketball. We both play real good. We even were considering trying out for the high school team together.
Which of the following is the best alternative for the underlined phrase, "real good"?
really good
better
NO CHANGE
really well
real well
really well
First of all, the word being described is "play," which is a verb; therefore, an adverb is needed to describe "play." The adverb form of "good" is "well." To describe the word "well," which is an adverb, one needs another adverb. "Really" is the adverb form of "real." Therefore, "really well" is the correct way to describe the pair's playing.
Example Question #162 : Other Usage Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Anna knew it was to late to catch the bus to school in time for English class.
it was later than to
it was two late
it was to be too late
NO CHANGE
it was too late
it was too late
"too" serves as an adjective here, not a preposition. Adjective form is "too" and preposition form is "to."
Example Question #2212 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Passage adapted from G. K. Chesterton, What I Saw in America (1922)
Now when I was lecturing in America I was often told, in a radiant and congratulatory manner, that such and such a person was bound to come and hear me lecture. It seemed a very, cruel form of conscription, and I could not understand what authority could have made it compulsory. In the course of discovering my error, however, I thought I began to understand certain American ideas and instincts that lie behind this American idiom. For as I have urged before, and shall often urge again, the road to international friendship is through really understanding jokes. It is in a sense through taking jokes seriously. It is quite legitimate to laugh at a man who walks down the street in three white hats and a green dressing gown, because it is unfamiliar; but after all the man has some reason for what he does; and until we know the reason we do not understand the story, or even understand the joke. So the outlander will always seem outlandish in custom or costume; but serious relations depend on our getting beyond the fact of difference to the things wherein it differs. A good symbolical figure for all this may be found among the people who say, perhaps with a self-revealing simplicity, that they are bound to go to a lecture.
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."
taking jokes serious
taking serious jokes
NO CHANGE
taking seriously jokes
NO CHANGE
This sentence discusses how something ought to be done (i.e, how jokes should be taken) by using an adverb ("seriously") to modify a verb phrase ("taking jokes") without splitting it up. Adjectives, such as "serious," should only be used to modify noun phrases.
Example Question #51 : Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
A well-rehearsed big band is reminiscent of a fine tuned engine with all of its components working together in harmony.
NO CHANGE
most fine
finely
finer
finest
finely
"Tuned" is an adjective that modifies the noun "engine". Adverbs modify adjectives, so the adverb "finely" is necessary in this sentence.
Example Question #2214 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
“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 [3].
it could be considered the classic-western position
it could be considered the classic western position
it would be considered the classic Western position
NO CHANGE
it would be considered the classic Western position
In this case, the word "Western" clearly refers to something that designates a proper noun. It is not merely indicating a general direction, as when we say, "The restaurant is on the western side of Washington, DC." Instead, the word "Western" is being used here to refer to "the West" in the sense of "Western Civilization." Thus, it is best to leave this selection unchanged, for it is written well enough as is. Likewise, you should not change the verb to "was." While some philosophers and commentators do think that Western Civilization no longer believe this point, this short essay really doesn't tell us one way or the other about this fact. Therefore, the conditional "could" is best left in the passage.
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