ACT English : Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
All ACT English Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
No matter how hard I concentrated on the question, the solution to it kept alluding me.
the solution was kept elusive.
alluding me was the solution to it.
the solution to it kept eluding me.
the solution was keeping allusive.
the solution to it kept alluding me.
the solution to it kept eluding me.
This question deals with incorrect word choice. The correct word is elude, which means to stay out of reach. Allude means to indirectly refer to something.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
The rain has a big affect on his mood.
His mood has a big affect on the rain.
The rain affects his mood.
The rain has a big effect on his mood.
On his mood, the rain is largely effecting.
(No changes to original.)
The rain has a big effect on his mood.
Here, we need the noun “effect,” not the verb “affect.”
Example Question #4 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
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.
Many New Yorkers had no choice but to evacuate the area because of the imminent danger of the approaching snow storm.
because of the imminent danger of the approaching snowstorm.
because of the imminent danger from the approaching snow storm.
because of the eminent danger from the approaching snowstorm.
because of the imminent danger of the approaching snow storm.
because of the eminent danger of the approaching snow storm.
because of the imminent danger of the approaching snowstorm.
“Imminent” means threatening or looming, while “eminent” means well-known or famous. Also, “snowstorm” is a compound word (two words put together).
Example Question #391 : 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.
The car was determined to be the one which was used in the robbery.
the one which was used in the robbery
that was used in the robbery.
that which was used in the robbery.
the one having been used in the robbery.
which was used in the robbery.
the one which was used in the robbery
While the underlined phrase is a bit convoluted, the phrase is fully grammatically correct. Either "that" or "which" would be appropriate in the sentence, but using both or futher modifying the phrase makes it confusing and unclear.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic Usage Errors
The two campaigns became certain the election was so close election night would not feature a definite result.
was close
was closely
was so close that
was so close
was too close
was so close that
The key problem with the sentence is that the portion after the underlined part has to be introduced by a pronoun introducing the relative clause "election night would not feature a definite result." "Was so close that" is the only choice among the answers featuring such a word.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
We're you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?
We're you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or we're you going to wait until the car stopped working?
Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or we're you going to wait until the car stopped working?
Were you ever planning on telling me that were almost out of gas or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?
We're you ever planning on telling me that were almost out of gas or we're you going to wait until the car stopped working?
Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?
Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?
"Were" is the past tense of "to be," and "we're" is the contraction of the two words "we are." For the first underlined word, we need the past tense of "to be," and we can tell this by noticing that this "were" needs to function as part of the verb "were . . . ever planning." The second underlined word needs to be the contraction of "we are," since we could replace it with "we are" ("that we are almost out of gas") and the sentence would still make sense. The third word needs to be the past tense of "to be," since, like the first word, it is part of the verb phrase "were . . . going." So, the correct answer is "Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas? Or were you going to wait until the car stopped working?"
Example Question #391 : 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.
Marlene and Josh spent hours debating what to wear and where to go for dinner.
wear and where
were and wear
where and wear
wear and were
wear and wear
wear and where
"Wear" is a verb, "where" is an adverb, and "were" is the plural past tense form of the verb "to be." So, the correct answer is "wear and where."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
What is most importantest in life is having love, health, and happiness in personal relationships.
more importanter
most importantest
most important
most importantly
importantest
most important
"Importantest" is not a word, and is an incorrect superlative form. The proper superlative form of "important" is "most important," which is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #392 : 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.
Kylie studied until morning in preparing her test stategy for the next exam.
to prepare her test strategy
for preparing her test strategy
in an effort to prepare her test strategy
in preparing her test strategy
for the preparation of her test strategy
to prepare her test strategy
This is an usual utilization of the word "preparing." Simply "to prepare" is more practical.
Example Question #1191 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Some writers use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors who previously wrote about similar themes.
tactfully use literary illusions to reference authors
use literary allusions to tactfully reference authors
use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors
use literary illusions tactfully to reference authors
tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors
tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors
An illusion is a hallucination, an image that isn’t really there. An allusion is a reference or citation, especially to/from another text. Also, there is a split infinitive; the adverb “tactfully” must be moved elsewhere in the sentence so the verb “to reference” is kept together.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All ACT English Resources
