ACT English : Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #173 : Correcting Pronoun 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 entire project was a collaborative effort between the engineers, designers, and I.

Possible Answers:

the collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and I.

a collaborative effort, between the engineers, the designers, and I.

a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and me.

a collaborative effort between the engineers the designers and I.

a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and I.

Correct answer:

a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" in the object of a sentence or phrase is incorrect, as it should only be used as the subject of a sentence. The pronoun must be changed to the first person objective form, "me." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "a collaborative effort between the engineers, the designers, and me."

Example Question #31 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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 report in question was never seen by either he or I.

Possible Answers:

never seen by neither he or I. 

never seen on either he or I.

never seeing by either he or I.

never seen by either he or I.

never seen by either me or him.

Correct answer:

never seen by either me or him.

Explanation:

The use of the pronouns "he" and "I" in the object of a sentence or phrase is incorrect, as they are both subjective pronouns. Each pronoun must be changed to its respective objective form. Thus, the correct answer choice is "never seen by either me or him."

Example Question #175 : Correcting Pronoun 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.

She and him had known each other for years, but only fell in love recently.

Possible Answers:

She and him had known every other for years

They had known each other for years

She and him having known each other for years

She and him had knowing each other for years

She and him had known each other for years

Correct answer:

They had known each other for years

Explanation:

The use of "him" in the subject of a sentence is incorrect, as "him" is the objective third person pronoun. The pronoun needs to be changed to a subjective pronoun because it appears in the subject of the sentence. The only answer choice that takes care of this problem is "They had known each other for years."

Example Question #176 : Correcting Pronoun 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.

Me and my little sister have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Possible Answers:

Me and my little sister have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Me and my little sister have always troubled getting along with each other.

Me and my little sister have always had trouble getting along with one another.

My little sister and I have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Me and my little sister always having trouble getting along with each other.

Correct answer:

My little sister and I have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Explanation:

The use of "me" as the subject of a sentence is incorrect, as "me" is an objective pronoun and should only be used as the object of a sentence. The only answer choice that takes care of this pronoun issue is "My little sister and I have always had trouble getting along with each other.

Example Question #177 : Correcting Pronoun 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.

Every one of the documents has been reviewed by the president and I.

Possible Answers:

has been reviewing by the president and I.

has been reviewed by the president and I.

has been reviewed for the president and I.

has been reviewed by I and the president.

has been reviewed by the president and me.

Correct answer:

has been reviewed by the president and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" as the object of the sentence is incorrect, as it can only be used as the subject of a sentence. The pronoun needs to be changed to the objective pronoun form, "me." The only answer choice which uses this form of the pronoun is "has been reviewed by the president and me."

Example Question #182 : Correcting 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.

Although Paul emphatically declared his innocence, the story he told to Shelley and I was rather hard to believe.

Possible Answers:

he tells to Shelley and I is rather hard to believe.

he told to Shelley and I was rather hard to believe.

he told to Shelley and me was rather hard to believe.

he told was rather hard to believe to Shelley and me.

he told to Shelley and I were rather hard to believe.

Correct answer:

he told to Shelley and me was rather hard to believe.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in pronoun case. Because "I" is found in a prepositional phrase and is not the subject, it should be changed to "me." Two choices correct this, but one of them creates a clarity problem by changing the word order.

Example Question #632 : Sentence Correction

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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Me and him were just coming up the hill when we saw it.

Possible Answers:

Me and him was

He and I were

Him and me were

Me and him were

He and I was

Correct answer:

He and I were

Explanation:

Both "me" and "him" are objective pronouns, and as such can only be used as objects; however, in this sentence, they are the subjects. The proper subject forms are "he" and "I," and should be used accordingly. The correct answer is "He and I were."

Example Question #181 : Correcting Pronoun 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.

Me and her were going to see if there were any more tickets left for the weekend show.

Possible Answers:

Me and her were going to see

Me and her were going seeing

Me and her was going to see

Me and her were gone to see

She and I were going to see

Correct answer:

She and I were going to see

Explanation:

Because both pronouns are used as subjects of the sentence, "me and her" is incorrect, as they are objective pronouns being used where subjective pronouns are needed. "She and I were going to see" is the only answer choice that uses the right pronouns, so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #292 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Even though Jack took the credit for returning the lost puppy, most of the neighborhood knew it was actually us who did the good deed.

Possible Answers:

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we who did the good deed.

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually us whom did the good deed.

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we whom did the good deed.

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we who done the good deed.

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually us who did the good deed.

Correct answer:

most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we who did the good deed.

Explanation:

The pronoun "us" in the sentence is a subject complement, because it follows the linking verb "is" and renames the subject "it" in more detail. Pronouns used as subject complements need to be in the subjective form, just like the subjects of sentences. "Us" is the objective form of the first-person plural pronoun, so it is incorrect. Changing "us" to "we," the subjective form of the first-person plural pronoun, corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Even though Jack took the credit for returning the lost puppy, most of the neighborhood knew it was actually we who did the good deed."

Example Question #31 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case

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 book was probably only read in full by the author and I.

Possible Answers:

for the author and I.

by the author and I.

by I and the author.

by the author and me.

by its author and I.

Correct answer:

by the author and me.

Explanation:

The use of "I" as the object of the prepositional phrase "by the author and I" is incorrect, as "I" is the subjective form of the first person pronoun. To correct the sentence's error, "I" must be replaced by the objective form of the first person pronoun, "me." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "by the author and me."

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