ACT English : Punctuation Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #32 : Period, Exclamation Point, And Question Mark Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, select “NO CHANGE.”

"What do you think you are doing!" Vanessa screamed at the top of her lungs.

Possible Answers:

doing...

NO CHANGE

doing?

doing.

doing,

Correct answer:

doing?

Explanation:

This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of an exclamation point. Usually, an exclamation point is used to add emphasis or to express a strong emotion. Because Vanessa "screamed at the top of her lungs," it might seem correct to use an exclamation point to communicate her volume and her stong feeling. However, the statement she makes is also a question. A question should always be followed by a question mark, even when the emotion being expressed is a strong one.

Example Question #752 : Punctuation Errors

 Are you trying to stick to a budget? Using coupons for purchases, also known as “couponing” is a great way to save money on groceries. Coupons are a little piece of paper that can give you a discount on what you buy. You will be amazed at the great bargains and amazing savings you can get!

It’s easy to get started. When you open up your daily newspaper, one might find a glossy insert full of coupons. Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy, some will be for things you buy all the time. Go through the coupons and chop out the ones you can use.

The key to successful couponing is getting multiple copies of coupon circulars. Ask your friends, your neighbors, and family if they have any extras. Some coupon users even go through the recycling at their office to find more coupons! Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life! Completely devoted, these circulars help coupon users to get even more savings.

Couponing might sound like hard work, but for many people, it’s also a hobby. Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, but also it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping. 

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life...

Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life.

Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life;

Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life?

Correct answer:

Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life?

Explanation:

This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of an exclamation point. Generally, exclamation points should be used to give emphasis to an interjection or to express a strong feeling. An interjection like this could end with an exclamation point if it were a statement, but since it begins with the interrogative form "Have you," we know that it is a question. Even when it is an interjection, a question should always end with a question mark, not an exclamation point.

Example Question #33 : Period, Exclamation Point, And Question Mark Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the text. If the underlined portion is correct as written, select “NO CHANGE.”

I wonder when I will reach the next level in my video game? I wouldn't be surprised if it happens pretty soon.

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

game

game,

game.

Correct answer:

game.

Explanation:

This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of a question mark. Even though this sentence expresses a question the narrator is wondering about (when he or she will reach the next level), it does so in the form of a statement, not a question. Therefore, a period should be used, rather than a question mark. All the other answer choices would turn the sentence into a run-on. 

Example Question #754 : 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."

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

immunizations, you

immunizations. You

immunizations but you

immunizations you

Correct answer:

immunizations. You

Explanation:

This question asks you about the correct punctuation to use at the end of a sentence. This sentence expresses uncertainty, but it is phrased in the form of a statement, so a question mark should not be used. A period is correct punctuation.

Example Question #755 : Punctuation Errors

Fashion, that ever-changing entity has thrown us some curveballs in the last year. No one expected that gym pants would become acceptable workwear, but shockingly, that’s exactly what has happened! First seen on the runway these casual, slouchy pants bridge the gap between exercise attire and business casual. They have comfortable, elastic waists but feature crisp lines and smart patterns.

Even though top executives have been seen sporting this edgy look, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can pull it off too! Think about your office dress code and how relaxed it is. For instance, do you see other people in your office wearing less traditional clothing, and do people push the boundaries without getting in trouble. If every person in your office is wearing a button-down shirt, suits, and a tie, this fun fashion may be best left to the weekend.

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."

Possible Answers:

that’s exactly what has happened.

NO CHANGE

that's exactly what has happened,

that's exactly what has happened!!

that's exactly what has happened?

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

This question asks you about the grammatically correct use of an exclamation point. An exclamation point should be used to add emphasis or express a strong thought. In this sentence, an exclamation point is correct punctuation to add emphasis because the word "shockingly" indicates that this is meant to be a strong statement. Although a period is grammatically correct here, it is not the strongest stylistic choice. A question mark is incorrect since this is not a question. The use of a comma would create a comma splice. It is not grammatically correct to use two exclamation points to add additional emphasis. 

Example Question #751 : Punctuation Errors

Fashion, that ever-changing entity has thrown us some curveballs in the last year. No one expected that gym pants would become acceptable workwear, but that’s exactly what has happened! First seen on the runway these casual, slouchy pants bridge the gap between exercise attire and business casual. They have comfortable, elastic waists but feature crisp lines and smart patterns.

Even though top executives have been seen sporting this edgy look, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can pull it off too! Think about your office dress code and how relaxed it is. For instance, do you see other people in your office wearing less traditional clothing, and do people push the boundaries without getting in trouble. If every person in your office is wearing a button-down shirt, suits, and a tie, this fun fashion may be best left to the weekend.

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."

Possible Answers:

NONE OF THESE

without getting in trouble?

without getting in trouble!

without getting in trouble

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

without getting in trouble?

Explanation:

This question asks you about the appropriate punctuation to use at the end of a sentence. Since this sentence is a question, it should end with a question mark. A period or exclamation point should not be used to end a question. A lack of any punctuation creates a run-on sentence.

Example Question #1121 : Act English

“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 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."

Possible Answers:

This was an absurd thing to suggest!

This had been an absurd thing to suggest!

This was an absurd thing to suggest.

NO CHANGE

This is an absurd thing to suggest!

Correct answer:

This is an absurd thing to suggest!

Explanation:

As written, the sentence does not require any change in tense. It merely needs to have an exclamation point added. The sentence breaks the flow slightly and sounds like an exclamation that someone might make in surprise. For this reason, it makes sense to end the sentence with an exclamation point in this manner, so as to accentuate the surprise that the words themselves express as well.

Example Question #1 : Errors Involving Hyphens, Dashes, And Parentheses

When I retired I took up sprinting.  I ran for my university track team a D3 team so don’t get too excited—and performed as a top athlete in our conference.  I fell in love with running so much that I even signed up to run cross country in the fall.  Endurance is not my thing and that is part of why I am lazy.  I played soccer one season because the team needed an extra body.  I was an awful terrible soccer player but it was so much fun!  

What would make the underlined portion grammatically correct?

Possible Answers:

track team, a D3 team so don’t get too excited—and

NO CHANGE

track team—a D3 team so don’t get too excited—and

track team a D3 team so don’t get too excited and

track team which was a D3 team so don’t get too excited—and

Correct answer:

track team—a D3 team so don’t get too excited—and

Explanation:

Dashes are used to set apart extra information that is not vital to the sentence, meaning the sentence has a subject and a verb of its own without the portion dashed off; however, if the extra information is located in the middle of the sentence, it must be surrounded by a dash on both sides.

Example Question #2 : Errors Involving Hyphens, Dashes, And Parentheses

What would make the underlined portion grammatically correct?

To begin I should explain how it is that I am a sports-lover but lazy.  I have tried as many sports as have been possible in my life and I have enjoyed all of them.  I had competed in national gymnastics which is probably the most holistically challenging for ten years.  This sport took precedence in all of middle and high school for me.  

Possible Answers:

competed in national gymnastics; which is probably the most holistically challenging of all the sports I did for ten

competed in national gymnastics, which is probably the most holistically challenging of all the sports I did—for ten

NO CHANGE

competed in national gymnastics. Which is probably the most holistically challenging of all the sports I did—for ten

competed in national gymnastics—which is probably the most holistically challenging of all the sports I did—for ten

Correct answer:

competed in national gymnastics—which is probably the most holistically challenging of all the sports I did—for ten

Explanation:

Extra information must be separated from the sentence by commas, dashes, or parenthesis. The same punctuation must be used to open the extra information as is used to close it.  

Example Question #1 : Errors Involving Hyphens, Dashes, And Parentheses

Adapted from Sozein ta Phainomena: An Essay Concerning Physical Theory from Plato to Galileo by Pierre Duhem (translated by Matthew Minerd)

What are physical theories’ value? What relation does it have with metaphysical explication? These are questions that are greatly stirred and raised in our days. However, as with other questions, they are in no manner completely new. It is a question that has been posed in all ages. As long as there has been a science of nature, they have been posed. Granted, the form that they assume changes somewhat from one age to another, for they borrow their various appearance from the scientific vocabularies of their times. Nevertheless, one need only dismiss this outer vestment in order to recognize that they remain essentially identical to each other.

The science of nature offers us up until the 17th century at least, very few parties that managed to create theories expressed in a mathematical language. . . . If we leave aside several exceptions, an historical investigation places before our eyes strong evidence of a type science that would indeed be a prediction of modern mathematical physics. This science is astronomy. That is, where we would say, “Physical theory,” the Greek, Muslim, Medieval, and early Renaissance sages would say, “Astronomy.” However, for these earlier thinkers, the other parts of the study of nature did not attain a similar degree of perfection. That is, they did not express the laws of experience in a mathematical manner similar to that found in astronomy. In addition, during this time, the study of the material realities generally were not separated from what we would call today, “metaphysics.”

Thus, you can see why the question that concerns us takes two related, though different forms. Today, we ask, “What are the relations between metaphysics and physical theory?” However, in past days; indeed, for nearly two thousand years; it was formulated instead as, “What are the relations between physics and astronomy?”

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

However in past days indeed for nearly two thousand years

However, in past days; indeed, for nearly two thousand years;

However, in past days—indeed, for nearly two thousand years—

However, in past days, indeed, for nearly two thousand years,

However, in past days, indeed, for nearly two thousand years;

Correct answer:

However, in past days—indeed, for nearly two thousand years—

Explanation:

The phrase, "indeed, for nearly two thousand years" functions almost as a pure aside by the author. Since it significantly alters the flow of ideas, it is best to set it off by something more than mere commas. (This is particularly the case here, where there are already many commas involved.) You could do this either with long dashes or with parentheses.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors