ACT English : Simple Subject Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : 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 number of students chosen for the community service award have more than doubled in the past fifteen years.

Possible Answers:

have been more than doubling

has more than doubled

has been more than doubling

NO CHANGE

were doubled

Correct answer:

has more than doubled

Explanation:

The underlined portion of this sentence is referring to "the number of students," a single subject—"students" is not the subject that needs to match the verb in number; it is the object of the preposition "of." The subject is "number." Try taking out all the extra information between the subject ("number") and the verb phrase ("have more than doubled"), and you will be able to see more clearly that the singular "has" is needed in this case. If you take out this information, the sentence reads, "The number have more than doubled," which is incorrect. There is no need for the "has been doubling" in the sentence as there is no reason to switch to a tense other than the present perfect.

Example Question #32 : Simple Subject Errors

Select the correct form of the underlined portion of the sentence. If it is correct as it is, select "NO CHANGE." 

The trial is at a standstill because the jury are sharply divided over the case.

Possible Answers:

the jury will be sharply divided

the jury are being sharply divided

the jury is sharply divided

the jury were sharply divided

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

the jury is sharply divided

Explanation:

With a collective noun like "jury," if the group or collective is all acting in a unified way it takes the singular "is" instead of the plural "are." Here, the entire "jury" is "being sharply divided," so "is" is the correct verb to use.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors

The boy, among many friends, celebrate his birthday in lavish style.

Possible Answers:

celebrate

having been celebrated

is celibrant

celebrates

is celebrated

Correct answer:

celebrates

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence is singular, "the boy," and not the plural "many friends," meaning the verb needs to be singular as well. Additionally, the sentence must keep the same meaning, that they boy is doing the celebrating. "Celebrates" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors

Autocratic styles of leadership frequently annoys the people who must work under such leaders.

Possible Answers:

frequently annoys

frequently annoy

frequent annoy

frequented annoying

frequent annoys

Correct answer:

frequently annoy

Explanation:

The verb "annoy" is used with the subject "styles," although the prepositional phrase "of leadership" and the adverb "frequently" come between the two words. Therefore, the verb form must take a plural form to match the subject. "Styles...frequently annoy" is the correct answer form.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors

Every one of the new coaches face serious troubles with their teams.

Possible Answers:

the new coach face

new coaches face

the new coaches face

the new coaches faces

the new coach faces

Correct answer:

the new coaches faces

Explanation:

The verb in the sentence, written in the underlined portion as "face," must actually be in the singular form "faces." The subject of the sentence is "every," which is actually a singular form, even though the verb sits next to "new coaches." "The new coaches faces" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors

One of the boys are coming over to help build the model car.

Possible Answers:

One of the boys is came over

One of the boys are came over

One boy comes over

One of the boys is coming over

One of the boys are coming over

Correct answer:

One of the boys is coming over

Explanation:

The problem with the sentence is that the verb "are" is a plural form, but is matched with "One," a singular noun, even though "boys" is the closest word to the verb in the sentence. The correct answer is "One of the boys is coming over."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors

There is no players in the league who would be comfortable in such a situation.

Possible Answers:

There's no players

There is no players

There is not players

There are no players

They're no players

Correct answer:

There are no players

Explanation:

The underlined phrase has an incorrect use of the verb "is," as the subject, "players," is a plural form. The verb needs to be similarly plural. "There are no players" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Agreement Errors

The youngest girl among the students have dark hair.

Possible Answers:

has darkest hairs.

have dark hair.

have dark hairs.

has dark hair.

have darker hair.

Correct answer:

has dark hair.

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence is "youngest girl," a singular noun. Although the verb is next to the plural "students," a plural, the verb form must be a singular verb. Additionally, a superlative need a comparison to be used appropriately, making "has dark hair" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors

Every night for five straight nights were well below freezing.

Possible Answers:

Every night for five straight nights was well below freezing.

Every night for five straight nights were well below freezing.

Each night for five straight nights were well below freezing.

Each of the nights for five straight nights were well below freezing.

Every night for five nights straight were well below freezing.

Correct answer:

Every night for five straight nights was well below freezing.

Explanation:

The issue with the sentence as it is written is that the subject of the sentence, "every night," is singular, but the verb "were" is plural. The subject and the verb must agree. The correct answer is "Every night for five straight nights was well below freezing."

Example Question #251 : Correcting Word Usage 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 new bylaws of the organization was ratified by a unanimous vote yesterday.

Possible Answers:

The new bylaws of the organization were 

The new bylaws of the organization was 

The newer bylaws of the organization was 

The new bylaws for the organization was 

The new bylaws from the organization was 

Correct answer:

The new bylaws of the organization were 

Explanation:

While the singular verb "was" is next to the singular noun "organization," the subject of the sentence is the plural noun "bylaws." This means that the verb "was" needs to be changed to a plural form; therefore, "The new bylaws of the organization were" is the correct answer choice.

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