ACT English : Punctuation Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #61 : Punctuation Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Aaron had a long list of complaints to bring to his supervisor; beginning with the lack of support from the Information Technologies Department.
with the lack of support from the Information Technology Department being his first one.
NO CHANGE
complaining first about the lack of support from the Information Technology Department.
the lack of support from the Information Technology Department being one.
he began with the lack of support from the Information Technologies Department.
he began with the lack of support from the Information Technologies Department.
The use of a semi-colon requires two main clauses. None of the other answer choices create a main clause in the second half of the sentence.
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, select “NO CHANGE.”
Harry was nervous when he went to college; not sure if he would fit in.
college not sure
college; he was not sure
college. Not sure
college; because he was not sure
NO CHANGE
college; he was not sure
This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of a semicolon. A semicolon should be used to separate two complete, related sentences. In the original, the second part of the sentence, "not sure if he would fit in," lacks a main verb and therefore is not a complete sentence, so the semicolon is not correct. For the same reason, replacing it with a period is also incorrect. The best answer, "Harry was nervous when he went to college; he was not sure if he would fit in" corrects the problem by adding a subject and verb to the second part of the sentence, making it a complete sentence.
Example Question #61 : Punctuation Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, select “NO CHANGE.”
I'm going to get a summer job; but mostly because my mom wants me to, not because I want to.
job but
job, but
job. But
NO CHANGE
job, but
This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of a semicolon. A semicolon should be used only to separrate two complete, related sentences. In this case, the second part of the sentence cannot be a complete sentence on its own. Generally, a semicolon should not come before a conjunction like "but." Since this is all one sentence, a comma is the best choice of punctuation.
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."
A new study of over 100,000 participants has found no significant correlation between IQ and hair color, most scientists were not surprised.
color, most scientists;
color; most scientists;
color most scientists
color; most scientists
color most scientists;
color; most scientists
A semicolon should be placed between two independent sentences. Because the sentence "most scientists were not surprised" is an independent clause that can stand alone, the answer "color; most scientists" is most correct.
The semicolon goes in place of where the period would usually go and does not require the capitalization of the next word. In other words, the following correction would have also been correct:
"A new study of over 100,000 participants has found no significant correlation between IQ and hair color. Most scientists were not surprised."
Example Question #64 : Punctuation Errors
“The Dark Ages?” by Matthew Minerd (2016)
There are two different ways to consider the so-called “Dark Ages.” On the one hand, you can think of the period directly after the fall of the Roman Empire, when civilization began to collapse throughout the Western Empire. On the other hand, you can consider the period that followed this initial collapse of society. It is a gross simplification too use the adjective dark to describe the civilization of either of these periods.
As regards the first period it is quite a simplification to consider this period to be a single historical moment. It is not as though the civilization switched off like a lightbulb. At one moment light and then, at the next, dark. Instead, the decline of civilization occurred over a period of numerous decades and was, in fact, already occurring for many years before the so-called period of darkness. Thus, the decline of civilization was not a rapid collapse into barbarism, but instead, was a slow alteration of the cultural milieu of a portion of Europe. Indeed, the Eastern Roman Empire retained much of it’s cultural status during these years of decline!
More importantly, the period following the slow collapse of the Western Empire was much less “dark” than almost every popular telling states. Indeed, even during the period of decline, the seeds for cultural restoration was being sown. A key element of this cultural revival were the formation of monastic communities throughout the countryside of what we now know as Europe. Although these were not the only positive force during these centuries, the monasteries had played an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance.
How should the underlined and bolded selection be changed?
More importantly, the period following, the slow collapse of the Western Empire, was much less “dark” than almost every popular telling states.
More importantly: the period following the slow collapse of the Western Empire was much less “dark” than almost every popular telling states.
More importantly; the period following the slow collapse of the Western Empire was much less “dark” than almost every popular telling states.
More importantly, the period following the slow collapse of the Western Empire was much less dark than almost every popular telling states.
NO CHANGE
NO CHANGE
As written, there are no issues with this sentence. It is entirely wrong to place a semicolon at the start of the sentence. You would need an independent clause before this punctuation. Likewise, a colon isn't helpful, as you are not enumerating anything or carrying on the explication of what would precede the colon if it were used. Also, you need not get rid of the quotation marks around "dark." The author clearly is using this as a rhetorical device to deride (albeit lightly) the generally accepted opinion about the "so-called 'dark ages.'" Finally, no changes in commas are needed. Indeed, the ones proposed in one option only make matters more confusing, not less!
Example Question #61 : Punctuation Errors
Maybe your thinking of getting a dog; but you are not sure how it will affect your budget. Don’t worry! It’s possible to enjoy the companionship with a dog without spending too much of your precious dollars.
First, you will want to make a list of all the necessary items needed before you bring Fluffy home. Compare costs at different pet stores, grocery stores and big box stores. You will need to buy food, a leash, and purchase toys for your dog.
When it comes to the many dog food choices, you don’t want to just buy the cheaper option. You will want to do some research to see what is healthiest for your dog! One of the best ways to save money on dog food is to buy it in bulk.
Don’t forget to plan for some other big expenses, the vet consultation, wellness exam, and any treatments your dog needs. When you bring your pet to the vet, they may need shots, which can vary for price. Call different clinics in the area and ask how much they charge for the standard immunizations? You might find that there is a lot of differences between offices.
The key to sticking to your budget is planning everything out! With good preparation and organization, a dog will not cost you more money than you planned for.
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."
dog, but
dog! But
dog but
NO CHANGE
dog? But
dog, but
This question asks you about the correct use of a semicolon. A semicolon should be used to separate two related, but complete sentences. In this context, a semicolon is not appropriate punctuation since the second part of the sentence begins with the conjunction "but." A semicolon generally should not be used before a conjunction. The best option to punctuate this sentence is a comma and the conjunction "but."
Example Question #61 : Punctuation Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The school invested nearly two thousand dollars establishing its after-school tutoring program, however, school evaluators concluded that the program was too poorly attended to be viable.
The school invested nearly two thousand dollars establishing its after-school tutoring program however, school evaluators concluded that the program was too poorly attended to be viable.
The school invested nearly two thousand dollars establishing its after-school tutoring program but, however, school evaluators concluded that the program was too poorly attended to be viable.
NO CHANGE
The school invested nearly two thousand dollars establishing its after-school tutoring program: however, school evaluators concluded that the program was too poorly attended to be viable.
The school invested nearly two thousand dollars establishing its after-school tutoring program; however, school evaluators concluded that the program was too poorly attended to be viable.
The school invested nearly two thousand dollars establishing its after-school tutoring program; however, school evaluators concluded that the program was too poorly attended to be viable.
When the conjunctive adverb "however" 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 "however" functions as a conjunction, joining two contrasting independent clauses and making other conjunctions unnecessary.
Example Question #91 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
It was about halfway through his last set of conferences that Mr. Man realizes (1) he did not (2) much like his current set of students. Unlike his students in the past, none of them seemed to care about their (3) grades, (4) none of them was able to tell a dangling modifier from a participle, (4) and, apart from a few, (4) they didn't know (5) how to start a paper. He would never tell any of them this, of course, (6) they might get offended, and if there was one thing that Mr. Man learned (7) about teaching, its (8) that in order to keep one's job, you couldn't offend your students (9). As yet another student whined about not understanding Mr. Mans (10) perfectly clearly written assignments, he sighed inwardly (and possibly outwardly as well), (11) and waited for the last (12) one to finish so that he could get to the next one, finish his conferences, and get back to daydreaming about being anything but a teacher.
Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake(s). If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."
Change all three commas to semicolons
Leave the first two commas as commas, leave the last one as a semicolon
NO CHANGE
Change the first two commas to semicolons, leave the last one as a comma
Change the first two commas to semicolons, leave the last one as a comma
The first two commas should be changed to semicolons in order not to conflict with the third comma, which is setting off information within its own clause.
Example Question #62 : Punctuation Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The thunder clapping overhead dissuaded Mark from his afternoon jog, moreover, he had a term paper to write for his morning class.
The thunder clapping overhead dissuaded Mark from his afternoon jog, and moreover, he had a term paper to write for his morning class.
The thunder clapping overhead dissuaded Mark from his afternoon jog, and moreover, he had a term paper to write for his morning class.
The thunder clapping overhead dissuaded Mark from his afternoon jog moreover, he had a term paper to write for his morning class.
NO CHANGE
The thunder clapping overhead dissuaded Mark from his afternoon jog; moreover, he had a term paper to write for his morning class.
The thunder clapping overhead dissuaded Mark from his afternoon jog; moreover, he had a term paper to write for his morning class.
When the conjunctive adverb "moreover" 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 "moreover" functions as a conjunction, joining two related independent clauses and making other conjunctions unnecessary.
Example Question #1 : Colon Errors
Why Text Messaging Is a Good Thing by Chelci Spiegel
Because text messaging does not require voice it is far less obtrusive in public places. When I was standing in line at the grocery store one of the ladies were using their phone while waiting for their turn. I heard her entire life story her boy troubles, her work troubles her friend troubles and her money troubles. It was very distracting. With texting a person can vent all their frustration to someone privately. If I am trying to set a date for a barbeque, I can text my neighbor to work out details rather than let the entire she store know my weekend plans. Texting is a way to conduct private business in public places.
What would make the underlined portion grammatically correct?
I heard her entire life story, her boy troubles, her work troubles, her friend troubles, and her money troubles.
NO CHANGE
I heard her entire life story: her boy troubles, her work troubles, her friend troubles, and her money troubles.
I heard her entire life: story her boy troubles, her work troubles her friend troubles and her money troubles.
Omit the underlined portion
I heard her entire life story: her boy troubles, her work troubles, her friend troubles, and her money troubles.
A colon is used to let the reader know that a list is coming up. The colon should come right after "life story" because the author goes on t list the parts he or she heard. A comma should also separate all the different items in the list that follows the colon.
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