ACT English : Conjunction Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #5 : Correcting Subordinating Conjunction 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.
Prisons are a relatively recent phenomenon in world history, because exorbitant costs.
exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs of prisons.
because they have exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant cost.
because they have exorbitant costs.
The underlined phrase, a separate clause further explaining the first half of the sentence, does not work as a complet sentence. In order to appropriately fit after "because," the phrase needs to be turned into a complete thought. "Because they had exorbitant costs" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #51 : Conjunction Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Kendall made known to all of her friends that, she was the fastest runner.
Kendall made known to all of her friends that she was the fastest runner.
No change
Kendall made known to all of her friends that- she was the fastest runner.
Kendall made known to all of her friends that:she was the fastest runner.
Kendall made known to all of her friends that she was the fastest runner.
No comma or other punctuation is required here to separate the clause "she was the fastest runner" because it is an indirect quotation introduced by "that."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
Some prescription drugs can produce dangerous interactions when combined with other chemicals, and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
although you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
and you should always be telling your physician about any medications you take at home.
but you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.
This sentence contains an error in its logic of cause and effect. The first part of the sentence is the reason for the advice offered in the second part. So, you should change "and" to a word that demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship. Do not add a contrast word like "but" or "although" unless the sentence includes some sort of contradiction or opposition.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Conjunction 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.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, although I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes and was closed on Monday, I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, or I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
Based on the information in this sentence, we can infer that there is a cause-and-effect relationship: as a result of the highway being closed, the speaker had to take a different route to work. “So” is the only conjunction here that indicates cause and effect.
Example Question #11 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
He was constantly multitasking, eating and watching television, while he did his Calculus homework.
He was constantly multitasking, eating dinner and watching television while doing his Calculus homework.
NO CHANGE
He was constantly multitasking and eating dinner, watching television while he was doing his Calculus homework.
He was constantly multitasking: he was eating dinner, then he was watching television, and while he was doing his Calculus homework.
He was constantly multitasking, eating dinner, watching television, while he was doing his Calculus homework.
He was constantly multitasking, eating dinner and watching television while doing his Calculus homework.
The original problem uses "while" as a subordinating conjunction in a manner that compromises the parallelism related to the gerunds in the example of Gerald's multitasking. All of the incorrect answer choices somehow change the meaning of the original sentence; the correct answer choice also happens to be the most efficient method of communicating the example of Gerald's multitasking.
Example Question #12 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Although grapefruit production has been negatively impacted by the recent cold weather, retail prices for grapefruit have risen dramatically.
Because
However
NO CHANGE
Even though
Despite
Because
The two clauses establish a cause-and-effect relationship; thus, "because" is the only correct coordinator.
Example Question #13 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
In the given sentence, which of the following subordinating conjunctions will MOST change the meaning of the sentence if substituted for the underlined word?
I want to buy a car once I have a high-paying job.
while
if
because
as long as
unless
unless
This question asks about the use of subordinate conjunctions, which join a subordinate clause to a main clause. The subordinate conjunction that would most change the meaning of the sentence is "unless," because the use of "unless" implies that the narrator will only buy a car if he does NOT have a high-paying job. All the other subordinate conjunctions express the causal connection between a high-paying job and the purchase of a car.
Example Question #14 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
Choose the answer that, if inserted in place of the underlined text, would most change the meaning of the sentence.
I wanted to eat a big meal so that I would not get hungry later.
in order that
even though
because that way
so
even though
This question asks you to analyze how different subordinating conjunctions change the meaning of a sentence. Subordinating conjunctions join a main clause to a subordinate clause. In this sentence, "so that," "so," "in order that," and "because that wzy" all convey the same meaning: eating a big meal is intended to prevent hunger in the future. The subordinating conjunction phrase "even though" reverses the sentence's meaning, implying that the narrator wants to eat a big meal despite the fact that future hunger is unlikely.
Example Question #21 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
It is important to be practical and thoughtful in the way in which spends one's money, even if spending money is also your passion. Although I love to shop, I still stay within a strict budget. It keeps my creditors at bay and my partner happy.
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."
NO CHANGE
Despite the fact that
Even considering that
Even though
Because
Because
This question asks you to interpret the meaning of different subordinating conjunctions in context. The subordinating conjunction "because" most changes the meaning of the sentence because it suggests that the narrator's love of shopping causes him/her to stay within his/her budget. All the other choices convey a contrast, suggesting that it is surprising that the narrator stays within his/her budget.
Example Question #21 : Subordinating Conjunction Errors
Adapted from "The Weakness, Unrest, and Defects of Man," from The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal (ed. 1901)
We care nothing for the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if we could make it move faster; or we call back the past, to stop its rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander through the times in which we have no part, unthinking of that which alone is ours; so frivolous are we that we dream of the days which are not and pass by without reflection those which alone exist. For the days of the present generally gives us pain; we conceal it from our sight because it afflicts us, and if it be pleasant, we regret to see it vanish away. We endeavor to sustain the present by the future, and think of arranging things not in our power, for a time at which we have no certainty of arriving.
If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future. We scarcely think of the present, and if we do so, it is only that we may borrow light from it to direct the future. The present is never our end; the past and the present are our means, the future alone is our end. Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out to be happy, it is inevitable that we can never be so.
Which of the following best translates the author’s usage of “as” bolded in the second sentence?
akin to
while
like
as being
as being
The sense of the sentence in question is that we anticipate the future and thus treat it as though it is coming too slowly. Another way that we could translate "as" here would be "as though it were..." In lieu of this longer phrase, "as being" is an adequate translation. The options indicating similarity or similitude are not appropriate in this context.
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