ACT English : Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #203 : 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
John commented, “Our preference for the same foods leads me to believe that you and me have a great deal in common.”
to believe that you and me have a great deal in common."
to believing that you and I have a great deal in common."
to believing that you and me have a great deal in common."
to believe that yourself and I have a great deal in common."
to believe that you and I have a great deal in common."
to believe that you and I have a great deal in common."
“Believing” would constitute an incorrect gerund usage. “Me” must be changed to “I” because it is the nominative case pronoun.
Example Question #311 : Usage Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
We were relaxing in the backyard when suddenly: a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and I.
NO CHANGE.
when suddenly, a large branch snapped off the tree above, and landed right in between Toni and I.
when suddenly a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and I.
when suddenly: a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and me.
when suddenly a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and me.
when suddenly a large branch snapped off the tree above and landed right in between Toni and me.
The pronoun at the end of the sentence is the object of the preposition "between," which means it should be in objective case. The subjective case "I" is not appropriate here; it should be the objective case "me" instead. No colon or comma is necessary earlier in the sentence.
Example Question #1694 : Act English
Passage adapted from Around the World in Eighty Days (1876) by Jules Verne
Mr. Fogg's wardrobe was amply supplied and in the best taste. Each pair of trousers, coat, and vest bore a number, indicating the time of year and season at which they were in turn to be laid out for wearing; and the same system was applied to the master's shoes. In short, the house in Saville Row, which must have been a very temple of disorder and unrest under the illustrious but dissipated Sheridan, was cosiness, comfort, and method idealised. There was no study, nor were there books, which would have been quite useless to Mr. Fogg; for at the Reform two libraries, one of general literature and the other of law and politics, were at his service. A moderate-sized safe stood in his bedroom, constructed so as to defy fire as well as burglars; but Passepartout found neither arms nor hunting weapons anywhere; everything betrayed the most tranquil and peaceable habits.
Having scrutinised the house from top to bottom, he rubbed his hands, a broad smile overspread his features, and he said joyfully, "This is just what I wanted! Ah, we shall get on together, Mr. Fogg and me! What a domestic and regular gentleman! A real machine; well, I don't mind serving a machine."
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Mr. Fogg alone.
I and Mr. Fogg!
me and Mr. Fogg!
NO CHANGE
Mr. Fogg and I!
Mr. Fogg and I!
The best revision is, Mr. Fogg and I!
"I" is the appropriate pronoun choice because it is a subject pronoun, and indeed "Mr. Fogg and I" are together the subject of the sentence. Further, the pronoun "I" always comes second to another listed name.
Example Question #312 : Usage Errors
Select the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the sentence is correct as is, select "NO CHANGE."
Whom is the dog's owner?
Who
NO CHANGE
To who
Which
To whom
Who
As phrased, the pronoun should be a subject (who), not an object (whom). If the question were phrased "To whom does the dog belong?" whom would be a correct use of an object pronoun.
Example Question #313 : Usage Errors
Select the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the sentence is correct as is, select "NO CHANGE."
Her and I went to the store yesterday to buy supplies for our dinner party.
Her and me went
She and me went
She and I go
NO CHANGE
She and I went
She and I went
"Yesterday" implies that you need the past tense "went" but the sentence needs the subject pronoun "she" to go with subject pronoun "I" (rather than object pronoun "her").
Example Question #314 : Usage Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Professor Gates assigned the task of presenting his research findings to Maribel and I.
mine.
myself.
NO CHANGE
me.
I's.
me.
The preposition "to" indicates that the pronoun that follows should be in the objective case. Subjective case ("I"), genitive case ("mine") and reflexive case ("myself") are not appropriate in this sentence.
Example Question #574 : Word Usage Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Whom is the new president of the university?
whom will be
whom is going to be
NO CHANGE
Who is
who is it that is
Who is
The sentence as worded needs the subject pronoun "who" rather than the object pronoun "whom."
Example Question #575 : Word Usage Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
It was her who ate the last cupcake.
It was she who ate
It was her whom ate
NO CHANGE
It was she whom ate
It was her that ate
It was she who ate
The sentence requires the subject pronoun "she." Think of it as answering the question "who ate the last cupcake?" The answer is "she ate the last cupcake" not "her ate the last cupcake."
Example Question #315 : Usage Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Every Wednesday evening, Larissa, Cecilia, and me get together to play soccer.
NO CHANGE
and I get together
all of them get together
and we get together
and they get together
and I get together
The sentence as written needs an object pronoun "I" instead of the subject pronoun "me" (or plural subject pronoun "them"). Getting together is the action (verb phrase), and the subjects (Larissa, Cecilia, and I) are the ones completing the action. The pronoun also needs to be singular, as it is part of a list of singular people (so the plural "we" and "they" are also incorrect even though they are subject pronouns).
Example Question #316 : Usage 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 cook more than her, so I will win the cooking competition.
more than she do
more than she does
NO CHANGE
more then her
more then she
more than she does
The singular subject pronoun "I" needs to be paired with another singular subject pronoun "she," rather than the object pronoun "her." Some of the incorrect answer choices change the spelling of the comparative "than" to "then." The comparative "than" is correct in this case.
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