ACT English : Other Pronoun-Antecedent Errors
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Example Question #1361 : Act English
There once was a shepherd boy whom sat on the hillside watching the village sheep. He was hot and exhausted fanning himself, rapidly in a feeble attempt to cool himself down. On top of that, he had never been so bored before.
To amuse himself, he decided to play a joke. He put his hands around his mouth and yelled in a loud voice, "Wolf! Wolf! A wolf is chasing the sheep!”
They came running. They asked the boy, “What’s going on? Did you yell ‘A wolf is chasing the sheep?’ ”
The boy laughed. “It was just a joke, everyone.”
The people fumed, but they all returned to their homes.
The next day, the boy bored again decided to amuse himself again. He bellowed, “Wolf! Wolf!”
Again, the townspeople came running. Once they arrived and witnessed the laughing boy, they realized they’d been tricked a second time. Nonetheless, they returned home and irritated resolved to never fall for the trick again for third time.
The next day, the boy was watching his sheep. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a wolf appeared from behind the bushes. With its teeth bared, the boy cowered as the wolf approached the sheep. Terrified, he called, “Help! A wolf! A wolf is here!”
The people ignored his cries. “That mischievous boy,” they all said to one another. “He must think he can fool us again.” But not one of them came running.
No one was there to witness as the wolf ate every last sheep on the hillside, as the boy helplessly cowered behind a bush. As the boy hid, he shook his head. “I shall never fib again,” he resolved to himself.
In the sentence, "There once was a shepherd boy whom sat on the hillside watching the village sheep," choose the best alternative for the underlined portion.
he
was
NO CHANGE
who
that
who
In this sentence, "who" is used to add a phrase modify the subject, which is the boy. "Whom" would be used if the boy was the indirect object of the sentence, but he is not. "He," "was," and "that" do not introduce the modifying phrase correctly. "Who" does introduce a modifying phrase and refers to the subject of the sentence, so it is the correct choice.
Example Question #62 : Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Fourth Period is the class where I can relax and enjoy some time with my friends without feeling stressed by projects and exams.
NO CHANGE
place where
class where
room in which
time when
time when
"Fourth Period" refers to a time, not a place; thus, the pronoun "when" is appropriate here.
Example Question #11 : Other Pronoun Antecedent Errors
“Bach and German Hymnody”
[31] The great German composer, Johann Sebastian Bach was a member of a prodigiously talented musical family. [32] A significant number of Johann Sebastians ancestors and descendants were musicians of various levels of talent. [33] Although he was known for music of a variety of forms, one of his most enduring legacies is the repertoire of chorale music by which he improved and solidified the world of German congregational singing.
During the period after the Protestant Reformation, a number of hymns were written for use in the common worship of the Christians of the time. [34] The structured form of these compositions were well suited for congregational singing although they would sound strange to our contemporary ears. [35] The harmonies and meters of these hymns are very close in character to the music with which we are familiar. They lack some of the standard structural elements that we take for granted in this form of organized [36] Western music, these small differences would stand out to our sensibilities.
It was the great glory of Johann Sebastian Bach to have harmonized a great number of these hymns, often penning multiple such harmonies. [37] One solitary single melody might be made by Bach into three, four, or even five different harmonic compositions. [38] This amazing feat of musical prowess is no small addition to the original behest of Lutheran hymns that Bach had inherited from his fellow religious brethren. [39] Many of these harmonies remain to this day as classic renditions of these songs. [40] They are sung not only in the German world but in Protestant and Catholic services. [41] Indeed they are even sung in wholly secular concerts thanks to their great beauty!
Interestingly enough, Bach was more recognized as a talented performer, rather than composer, of music in his own lifetime. While he was still composing, knowledge of Bach’s work was limited to music connoisseurs who happened to be physically near places [42] he lived and worked. It was not until the early 19th century, when the first biography of Bach was published, that academic and popular interest [43] truly picked up steam. In the two centuries that followed, his works have continued to proliferate in both religious and purely musical contexts.
This great diffusion of one mans’ work is a testament to his prodigious talent. [44] It also stands as a testament to the fact that Bach’s work came at a pivotal time when the Protestant hymnody was crystallizing, as well as when Western harmonies were coming into a particular expression that is known as the Baroque. [45]
Choose the answer that best corrects section [39].
Many of those harmonies remain to this day as classic renditions of these songs.
Many of these harmonies remain, to this day, as classic renditions of these songs.
Many of these harmonies remains to this day as classic renditions of these songs.
NO CHANGE
NO CHANGE
As written, there is no issue with this sentence. One option adds commas, but these do not help to clarify the content in any significant way. (Indeed, they only make it more confusing.) Another option changes the verb to a singular form of the verb—i.e. to "remain." This is not acceptable, given the plural subject. The sentence is a simple declaration, so no exclamation point is needed. Finally, it is not necessary to change "these" to "those." This is an inappropriate shift in how we are referring to the songs. There really has been no distinction between "these" and "those" throughout the passage.
Example Question #1369 : Act English
“On the Nature of Belief”
Belief and faith often are critiqued in a scientific culture. It can seem that mere belief is a replacement for science made available to soothe the ignorant masses. There is some truth to such accusations, and many people do use belief as a screen to cover their own ignorance about the truths of reality. Everyone should be aware, however, that almost every single human being have these kinds of “blind spots.” We all live with many things that we merely believe, all of which are so central to ones world view.
Even if we set aside all such types of beliefs, there still remains a broad terrain of human life in which faith and belief remain—even if we ignore all religious matters whatsoever. Imagine the scientist who’s work on brain neurons depends upon many discoveries made by many other people. Yes, if it were possible, it would be better for such a person to know all of the details that they accept merely at the word of other scientists. In all cases, seeing directly is more fulfilling than merely hearing about something.
However, is the scientist better off when he or she knows only what they have experienced directly. Although it is preferable that he or she knows such facts. However, it is impossible to investigate everything. Sometimes, one must extend one’s own vision with the vision of someone else. In a way, the person who thus “takes it on faith” gains a further vision.
Such faith always relies upon the credibility of the person who shares the experience, of course. For one person to believe on faith what another person says, it is presupposed that the other person is not a liar and actually could have experienced the matter in question. This means that even the “scientific believer” must take the risk of placing credibility in someone who has witnessed things that he or she has not seen. While this does not vindicate every kind of faith that people have had, it does provide a telling sign that faith, as such, is not always the refuge of the ignorant. Indeed, it is an important part of all of our lives, even the lives of scientists, who’s daring and investigative work is rarely criticized as being a refuge for ignorance!
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."
Indeed, it is an important part of all of our lives, even the lives of scientist's, who’s daring and investigative work is rarely criticized as being a refuge for ignorance!
NO CHANGE
Indeed, it is an important part of all of our lives, even the lives of scientists, whose daring and investigative work is rarely criticized as being a refuge for ignorance!
Indeed, it is an important part of all of our lives, even the lives of scientist's, whose daring and investigative work is rarely criticized as being a refuge for ignorance!
Indeed, it is an important part of all of our lives, even the lives of scientists', who’s daring and investigative work is rarely criticized as being a refuge for ignorance!
Indeed, it is an important part of all of our lives, even the lives of scientists, whose daring and investigative work is rarely criticized as being a refuge for ignorance!
The error here is the misuse of the possessive form of the relative pronoun "who." The correct form is "whose." This is needed for linking "scientists" to "daring and investigative work." Notice that "scientists" is merely meant to be a plural noun. Therefore, do not change it into a possessive form like "scientist's" or "scientists'." These alterations are not correct.
Example Question #211 : Agreement Errors
“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 above 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."
For example if someone wants to buy an item they are understandably expected
NO CHANGE
For example if someone wants to buy an item, he or she are understandably expected
For example, if someone wants to buy an item, they are understandably expected
For example if someone wants to buy an item, he or she is understandably expected
For example if someone wants to buy an item, he or she is understandably expected
Technically, it is understandable that you would want to add a comma after "for example." This would help with the clarity of the sentence; however, the main issue is the agreement between "someone" and "they." The pronoun "they" is referring back to the singular "someone." This means that you need to use a singular pronoun set (and one that is sufficiently gender neutral). Thus, you should replace "they" with "he or she." This will also require you to change the verb to be "is." Remember, "he or she" means only one or the other. Hence, it is singular.
Example Question #71 : Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors
“The Common Good: The United Aim of Many” [23]
Among the many topics that are misunderstood [16] in political science, and political philosophy, the notion of the “common good” ranks foremost. Often, we think of the common good as being nothing more than getting “the most things for the most people.” For example, when a person makes multiple millions of dollars, people will often say, [17] “He should give back some of that money, for the sake of the common good.” Whether or not such people [18] should do this with his money, this is really an improper use of the expression the common good.
A better way to understand the common good is to think about common ends or common goals. An example will help to explain this. Think of a group of musicians on a stage. If all of these people came together to practice in the same room, we wouldn’t call them a symphony. [19] A mass of people just playing any music whatsoever are not a symphony. A symphony is an organized group; a mass of people is just a mass of people. Nothing physically differs regarding the mass of people and the symphony. [20] They are both made up of the same “stuff,” namely a group of musicians.
However, a common good changes [21] this mass into something that they never could be without that common good. [22] When these musicians come together to play the Dies Irae of Mozart, they become something that they never were as individuals. Each member of the group uses his or her personal skill for the sake of a new, common performance. Perhaps the tuba player loves to play loudly. Perhaps the lead violinist loves playing quickly. These preferences must be channeled and limited for the sake of the common enterprise of playing Mozart’s stirring piece of music. [23] The desires of the individual instrumentalists, whom play the music, no longer reigns supreme.
The common good unites this group. If you were to ask the tuba player, what are you doing, he would answer, “Taking part in the symphonic playing of the Dies Irae.” [24] Then, if you were to ask any other musician the same question, he or she would answer in the same way. The answer would not be, “playing the Dies Irae my way.” If that were the answer, the musician would not be part of the symphony. He or she would be doing something private, not something that is truly common.
How should underlined selection [23] be changed?
The desires of the individual instrumentalists, who play the music, no longer reigns supreme.
NO CHANGE
The desires of the individual instrumentalists, who play the music, no longer reign supreme.
The desires of the individual instrumentalists, whom play the music, no longer reign supreme.
The desires of the individual instrumentalists, who play the music, no longer reign supreme.
There are two errors in this sentence. First, the relative pronoun "whom" should be "who." This is because it does not play the part of an object in the relative clause that it introduces. Instead, "who" indicates the subject of the clause. It stands in for "instrumentalists" and indicates the subject for "play." Second, the main subject is "desires." This requires a verb that does not have an s at the end. Therefore, reigns should become reign.
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