ACT English : Simple Subject Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Simple Subject 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 shelf, because it is full of books, are too heavy to carry.
NO CHANGE
full of books, they are too heavy
full of books, is too heavy
full of books that are too heavy
full of books are too heavy
full of books, is too heavy
Don't be fooled by the placement of the plural "books" in front of the verb. The subject is the shelf and it is singular, so the correct form of the verb is the singular "is."
Example Question #112 : Word Usage Errors
“Democracy—Always a Good Thing?”
In the contemporary world, we tend to think that democracy is always the best form of government. We are enchanted by the idea of self-governance for it seems to affirm the maturity of the citizens of a nation. Instead of being ruled by benign-monarchs or the landed-aristocracy, the citizens of a democracy are people who exercise self-mastery in a fully human manner. Well, at least this is what we tend to think of the matter.
Really, however, democracy is an ambiguous affair. Often, we use such single terms to name two different types of social arrangements. Such an equivocation is understandable. Whenever all (or at least most) of the people take part in political life, it seems like we have a kind of democracy. However, it is important to make a clearer distinction.
On the one hand, there can be a community that aims at the common good. In such a group, the people come together to have a political community that aims to fulfill human goals that could not be done by isolated individuals. Such a group will come together to establish educational institutions to preserve culture, regulate commerce in order to help normalize economic interactions, pass many laws that regulate our social interactions, and undertake many other affairs. Although all of these things benefit the individuals in the given society, such a group of self-governing people do not aim merely at the private satisfaction of the people. This kind of “democracy” works together, for common political goals.
On the other hand, there can be a community that merely aims at the private goods of the citizens. The Greek philosopher Aristotle remarked in his text, the Politics, that democracy was a government by the numerous poor people for the sake of those same people’s private goods. Clearly, he was using “democracy” in this sense. If the people of a nation only come together in order to assure their own private freedom and to receive benefits for themselves, a given society is this kind of so-called democracy.
Of course, it is difficult to say what is the state of any particular nation today. Often, elements of each of these kinds of governance is found in a given country at a particular time. Still, it is important to be aware that such an “equivocation” is possible. Otherwise, we will end up saying rather foolish things like, “Democracy is always a good form of government,” or, “democracy is a horrible form of government.”
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."
such a group of self-governing people does not aim merely at the private satisfaction of the people
such a group of self-governing people do not aim merely at the private satisfaction of the group
such a group of self-governing people do not aim, merely, at the private satisfaction of the people
NO CHANGE
such a group of self-governing people does not aim merely at the private satisfaction of the people
As written, the issue with the sentence is its lack of proper agreement between the subject and the verb "to do." Notice very carefully that the clause states, "Such a group of people." The group (a singular noun, though made up of many individuals) is the subject. This requires the form "does" for the verb, not "do." To test this, read, "Such a group do not..." This is quite bad grammar!
Example Question #119 : Word Usage Errors
“Democracy—Always a Good Thing?”
In the contemporary world, we tend to think that democracy is always the best form of government. We are enchanted by the idea of self-governance for it seems to affirm the maturity of the citizens of a nation. Instead of being ruled by benign-monarchs or the landed-aristocracy, the citizens of a democracy are people who exercise self-mastery in a fully human manner. Well, at least this is what we tend to think of the matter.
Really, however, democracy is an ambiguous affair. Often, we use such single terms to name two different types of social arrangements. Such an equivocation is understandable. Whenever all (or at least most) of the people take part in political life, it seems like we have a kind of democracy. However, it is important to make a clearer distinction.
On the one hand, there can be a community that aims at the common good. In such a group, the people come together to have a political community that aims to fulfill human goals that could not be done by isolated individuals. Such a group will come together to establish educational institutions to preserve culture, regulate commerce in order to help normalize economic interactions, pass many laws that regulate our social interactions, and undertake many other affairs. Although all of these things benefit the individuals in the given society, such a group of self-governing people do not aim merely at the private satisfaction of the people. This kind of “democracy” works together, for common political goals.
On the other hand, there can be a community that merely aims at the private goods of the citizens. The Greek philosopher Aristotle remarked in his text, the Politics, that democracy was a government by the numerous poor people for the sake of those same people’s private goods. Clearly, he was using “democracy” in this sense. If the people of a nation only come together in order to assure their own private freedom and to receive benefits for themselves, a given society is this kind of so-called democracy.
Of course, it is difficult to say what is the state of any particular nation today. Often, elements of each of these kinds of governance is found in a given country at a particular time. Still, it is important to be aware that such an “equivocation” is possible. Otherwise, we will end up saying rather foolish things like, “Democracy is always a good form of government,” or, “democracy is a horrible form of government.”
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."
Often elements of each of these kinds of governance is found in a given country
Often, elements of each of these kinds of governance is found in given countries
Often, elements of each of these kinds of governance are found in a given country
NO CHANGE
Often, elements of each of these kinds of governance are found in a given country
To find the error in this sentence, simply the overall format. This helps you to realize that "governance" is not the subject of the sentence, even though it directly precedes the verb. The subject is "elements." Since this is a plural subject, the verb should be are not is.
Example Question #92 : Simple Subject 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 soccer team is practicing today.
is to be practicing
NO CHANGE
are practicing
they are practicing
are to be practicing
NO CHANGE
Even though "team" is a plural noun, in this sentence it is treated/acting as a single unit all practicing together. As such, it gets the singular verb "is" rather than the plural "are." If the members of a plural noun were acting separately, "are" would be correct.
Example Question #93 : Simple Subject Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
I starting learning Russian when I entered college.
start
NO CHANGE
started
was starting
started
"Starting" is the continuous form of "to start." This tense does not show proper subject-verb agreement with the subject "I." While there is more than one way to write this sentence, "started" both agrees with the subject and follows the tense established by "entered."
Example Question #94 : Simple Subject 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 collection of poems and short stories have been out of print for several years, but will soon be available again.
had been
has been
will be
were
NO CHANGE
has been
The subject of the sentence is "collection", and it should take a singular verb. The sentence requires a present perfect verb to indicate a past action that is not completed and to maintain tense consistency with the remainder of the sentence.
Example Question #95 : Simple Subject 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 combination of acoustic and electric instruments create an eclectic sound that is the trademark of jazz fusion.
is creating
NO CHANGE
creates
creating
have created
creates
The subject of the sentence is "combination", thus the predicate should be singular.
"Creating" cannot be used by itself as a predicate; it creates a fragment.
"Is creating" is an incorrect time referent.
Example Question #96 : Simple Subject 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 group of mice are scampering around outside.
NO CHANGE
A group of mice having been scampering around outside.
A group of mice, they scamper around outside.
A group of mice is scampering around outside.
A group of mice scampering around outside.
A group of mice is scampering around outside.
The original sentence contains an error of subject/verb agreement. Although "mice" is plural, the actual subject of the sentence is "group," a singular noun. Therefore, the verb must also be singular.
Example Question #97 : Simple Subject 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 flock of geese go south for the winter.
The flock of geese go south for the winter.
The flock of geese goes south for the winter.
The flock of geese to go south for the winter.
The flock of geese going south for the winter.
NO CHANGE
The flock of geese goes south for the winter.
Although "geese" is plural, the actual subject of the sentence is the singular noun "flock." Therefore, the main verb of the sentence must also be singular.
Example Question #98 : Simple Subject 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 of fish were swimming away from the shark.
The school of fish swimming away from the shark.
The school of fish were swimming away from the shark.
NO CHANGE
The school of fish are swimming away from the shark.
The school of fish was swimming away from the shark.
The school of fish was swimming away from the shark.
Although "fish" in this case is plural, the actual subject of the sentence is the singular noun "school," so the main verb of the sentence must also be singular.
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