ACT English : Punctuation Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Semicolon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Mark's apartment complex does not allow pets, otherwise, he would have adopted the Siamese-Himalayan kitten playing in the pet store window.
Mark's apartment complex does not allow pets; otherwise, he would have adopted the Siamese-Himalayan kitten playing in the pet store window.
Mark's apartment complex does not allow pets, or otherwise, he would have adopted the Siamese-Himalayan kitten playing in the pet store window.
Mark's apartment complex does not allow pets, or otherwise, he would have adopted the Siamese-Himalayan kitten playing in the pet store window.
Mark's apartment complex does not allow pets; otherwise, he would have adopted the Siamese-Himalayan kitten playing in the pet store window.
NO CHANGE
Mark's apartment complex does not allow pets; otherwise, he would have adopted the Siamese-Himalayan kitten playing in the pet store window.
When the conjunctive adverb "otherwise" is used to join two independent clauses, a semi-colon and a comma must accompany it. The semi-colon will precede the adverb, and a comma will follow it. When correctly punctuated, the conjunctive adverb "otherwise" functions as a conjunction, joining two independent clauses and making other conjunctions unnecessary.
Example Question #42 : Semicolon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Martin moved to Nashville and put all his time and effort into launching his career as a songwriter and performer, but nevertheless success was nowhere to be found in a city already oversaturated with talented artists.
NO CHANGE
Martin moved to Nashville and put all his time and effort into launching his career as a songwriter and performer; nevertheless, success was nowhere to be found in a city already oversaturated with talented artists.
Martin moved to Nashville and put all his time and effort into launching his career as a songwriter and performer nevertheless success was nowhere to be found in a city already oversaturated with talented artists.
Martin moved to Nashville and put all his time and effort into launching his career as a songwriter and performer, nevertheless, success was nowhere to be found in a city already oversaturated with talented artists.
Martin moved to Nashville and put all his time and effort into launching his career as a songwriter and performer. Nevertheless, yet, success was nowhere to be found in a city already oversaturated with talented artists.
Martin moved to Nashville and put all his time and effort into launching his career as a songwriter and performer; nevertheless, success was nowhere to be found in a city already oversaturated with talented artists.
When the conjunctive adverb "nevertheless" is used to join two independent clauses that seem to contrast, a semi-colon and a comma must accompany it. The semi-colon will precede the adverb and a comma will follow it. When correctly punctuated, the conjunctive adverb "nevertheless" functions as a conjunction, joining two contrasting independent clauses and making other conjunctions unnecessary.
Example Question #43 : Semicolon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Tuition increases, say administrators, are driven by the college's expenditures, consequently, tuition income covers less than 50% of the institution's budgets.
Tuition increases, say administrators, are driven by the college's expenditures consequently tuition income covers less than 50% of the institution's budgets.
Tuition increases, say administrators, are driven by the college's expenditures, and consequently, tuition income covers less than 50% of the institution's budgets.
Tuition increases, say administrators, are driven by the college's expenditures: consequently tuition income covers less than 50% of the institution's budgets.
Tuition increases, say administrators, are driven by the college's expenditures; consequently, tuition income covers less than 50% of the institution's budgets.
NO CHANGE
Tuition increases, say administrators, are driven by the college's expenditures; consequently, tuition income covers less than 50% of the institution's budgets.
When the conjunctive adverb "consequently" is used to join two related independent clauses, a semi-colon and a comma must accompany it. The semi-colon will proceed the adverb and a comma will follow it. When correctly punctuated, the conjunctive adverb "consequently" functions as a conjunction, joining two independent clauses and making other conjunctions unnecessary.
Example Question #75 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Alice's family enjoys the annual holiday tradition of baking cookies; gathering at the family's beach house on a Sunday afternoon in early December.
and they gather at the family's beach house on a Sunday afternoon in early December.
with gatherings taking place at the family's beach house on a Sunday afternoon in early December.
because they gather at the family's beach house on a Sunday afternoon in early December.
NO CHANGE
they gather at the family's beach house on a Sunday afternoon in early December.
they gather at the family's beach house on a Sunday afternoon in early December.
The semi-colon after "cookies" requires a main clause in the answer choice. "And" is a conjunction that requires a preceding comma. "Gathering" begins a verb phrase. "With" begins a prepositional phrase. "Because" begins a subordinate clause.
Example Question #81 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Ally really enjoys camping; but she enjoys watching movies most weekends.
NO CHANGE
Ally really enjoys camping but she enjoys watching movies most weekends.
Ally really enjoys camping, but she enjoys watching movies most weekends.
Ally really enjoys camping; but, she enjoys watching movies most weekends.
Ally really enjoys camping, but she enjoys watching movies most weekends.
This sentence feature an instance of incorrect semi-colon usage. Semi-colons should not be used before a conjunction that joins two clauses.
There are two independent clauses: "Ally really enjoys camping, she enjoys watching movies most weekends." To connect the two clauses we do not use a semi-colon. We use a comma and an appropriate coordinating conjunction.
Example Question #45 : Semicolon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Jamie didn't bring the chips; she brought the punch.
Jamie didn't bring the chips; but she brought the punch.
Jamie didn't bring the chips: but she brought the punch.
Jamie didn't bring the chips, she brought the punch.
NO CHANGE
NO CHANGE
The semicolon is an acceptable way to separate these two clauses. You can separate them into two separate sentence or join them into a single sentence with a comma and coordinating conjunction, but the semicolon is also acceptable.
Example Question #82 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Growing up, I used to find math very tedious. I abhorred algebra, couldn't stand geometry, and 1. was just hating trigonometry. I was sure calculus would be no different. 2. That was until I met, my calculus teacher, Ms. Sweed. 3. Calculus being the subject she taught, she used it to show me how 4. math makes our world go around.
5.Ms. Sweed was very educated, having two master’s and a PhD. 6. I can still remember one day that she talked to me after class after one of the first tests we took in class I had done not as well as I had wanted. When I went to talk to her after class, she told me that she thought I was very smart and could do better if I tried. I began to come to talk to her after class every day for extra study. 7. She only used these extra sessions to not help me understand the math, but showed how math can be used to apply to real life. She showed how math could be used to explain many natural phenomena. 8. However, she showed how math can be used to analyze patterns from studies. I never thought I would say math was my favorite subject, but with Ms. Sweed teaching, it was.
9. (1) Trying to use Mrs. Sweed’s wit, enthusiasm, and dedication, as I tried to inspire other students. (2) I even started to do well enough in math to start tutoring other students. (3) I never would have been able to do so without meeting Ms. Sweed. (4) I was soon one of the top tutors in our school, and I helped dozens of students increase their grades. [10] Thanks to her inspiration, I’ve decided to look into the field of engineering. 11. Now, an engineering major taking many math classes in college. I enjoy every single one of them. 12. Math is a subject everyone can enjoy.
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 still remember, one day that she talked to me after class after one of the first tests we took in class, I had done not as well as I had wanted.
I can still remember one day that she talked to me after class after one of the first tests we took in class, I had done not as well as I had wanted.
I can still remember one day that she talked to me after class after one of the first tests we took in class; I had done not as well as I had wanted.
NO CHANGE
I can still remember--one day that she talked to me after class after one of the first tests we took in class--I had done not as well as I had wanted.
I can still remember one day that she talked to me after class after one of the first tests we took in class; I had done not as well as I had wanted.
The original sentence is a run-on sentence. In order to correct this error, one has to identify the two independent clauses and separate them with either a period or, in this case, a semicolon.
Example Question #58 : Punctuation Errors
“Intellectual Virtues”
Whenever someone talks about being “virtuous,” we immediately think of someone whose very moral. Perhaps we even think of people who are a bit boring for virtuous people can appear to have no fun at least in the popular imagination. Whatever the case might be, almost any reader would be surprised to see the expression “intellectual virtues.” What could this expression mean to designate! At best, most people would say, “Such virtues must describe people for who knowledge is combined with devotion and rigorous discipline.” That is; they would seem to describe the person who has a disciplined character in addition to being intelligent.
However, in ancient and medieval philosophy, certain intellectual capacities were considered virtues. These character traits were not quite the same as moral character traits or virtues. To understand this idea, it can be helpful to consider two example people, one whose skills are the fruit of a so-called intellectual virtue and the other whose skills are not.
It is easier to start with the person who does not have a given intellectual virtue. We all know someone who is not very good at math, that is, someone for who math is difficult even though he or she might be quite skilled at many other tasks It makes sense to say that this person doesn’t have an intellectual virtue. Likewise, think of the person who is only able to memorize formulas. Such a person is often very good at working through many problems with deft skill. This person seems to be a “wiz” at geometry and algebra, quickly solving equations and proofs.
However, this latter person might suddenly be presented with a difficult, new problem. When we notice that he or she does not have the creative skill and insight to solve the problem, we realize that he or she does’nt have a so-called “intellectual virtue.” This person merely has a habit—a particular skill that is helpful but does not indicate true and complete mathematical knowledge. The person who is able to understand the mathematics and creatively apply this knowledge to solve new problems. This person has a true intellectual virtue. They have a particular ability for intellectual insight, able to probe the difficult domain of this topic. This is much more noble as the mere habit of being able to balance equations and repeat facts about geometric figures!
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
NO CHANGE
That is: they seem to describe the person whom has a disciplined character in addition to being intelligent.
That is, they would seem to describe the person who has a disciplined character in addition to being intelligent.
That is; they would seem to describe the person who has a disciplined character, in addition to being intelligent.
That is: they would seem to describe the person who has a disciplined character in addition to being intelligent.
That is, they would seem to describe the person who has a disciplined character in addition to being intelligent.
The only issue with the sentence as written is its misuse of the semicolon. A semicolon will often be used to separate two independent clauses that have a close relationship. The expression "That is" is not an independent clause. (In some cases, you could say, "That is," meaning something like, "That is it." It is not being used in this fashion here.) Hence, you should merely separate this expression from the main clause by using a comma, not a semicolon.
Example Question #83 : Correcting Grammatical 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 it may seem confusing; the new format for Dr. Wilson's Calculus exam is actually designed to help students solve problems more efficiently.
Seeming confusing to some;
Some are confused by it,
NO CHANGE
It may seem confusing to some, but
Some may be confused by it,
It may seem confusing to some, but
The use of a semi-colon in the original sentence requires two main clauses, but the first clause is subordinate.
The correct answer creates a main clause and also introduces a conjunction (but) which more effectively links the two clauses.
Seeming confusing to some is a verb phrase, not a main clause.
Some may be confused by it and Some are confused by it both create comma splices.
Example Question #81 : Correcting Grammatical 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 wanted to become a doctor; but wasn't sure if he could get into medical school.
NO CHANGE
doctor, but
doctor. But
doctor? But
doctor but
doctor, but
This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of a semicolon. Generally, semicolons should only be used to separate two complete sentences, but the second half of this sentence, "but wasn't sure if he could get into medical school," would be a fragment on its own. In some cases, a semicolon can be used to separate clauses that are not complete sentences if the clauses contain commas within them, but that is not the case here. Therefore, in this sentence, it is incorrect to use a semicolon. A coordinating conjunction like "but" should be preceded by a comma, so the form "He wanted to become a doctor, but wasn't sure if he could get into medical school" is correct.
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