ACT English : Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
All ACT English Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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 chefs of New York City cannot compare with the home-cooked meals of my mother.
The chefs of New York City cannot compare to the home-cooked meals of my mother.
The chefs of New York City cannot compare with my mother.
(No changes to original.)
The chefs of New York City were not comparing with the home-cooked meals of my mother.
The chefs of New York City cannot hardly compare with the home-cooked meals of my mother.
The chefs of New York City cannot compare with my mother.
We must compare the chefs to my mother, not to the home-cooked meals.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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 more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The more difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthier obstacle course.
The more difficult steps in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The more difficult step in the process of all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course.
The use of "more" in this sentence is odd and confusing, as "more" should be used in a direct comparison between two things. As no comparison is made in this sentence, the modifier should simply indicate a great degree of difficulty. The word "most," a superlative adjective, properly conveys such a meaning, making the correct answer, "The most difficult step in the process for all of the initiates was the lengthy obstacle course."
Example Question #4 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
During his lifetime, few people knew about the fuller extent of his condition.
around the fuller extent of his condition.
about the fuller extent of his condition.
about the fuller extent for his condition.
about the full extent of his condition.
about the fuller extents of his condition.
about the full extent of his condition.
The use of "fuller" is incorrect in this sentence, as "fuller" implies a comparison, but is not comparing anything in the sentence. The use of the simple adjective "full" is perfectly appropriate in the sentence, making the correct answer choice "about the full extent of his condition."
Example Question #5 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats do.
Carbohydrates and proteins have less calories per gram than fats.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats were to have.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have less calories per gram than fats.
Carbohydrates and proteins both have fewer calories per gram than fats do.
Calories can be counted, and so we use the word "fewer." "Less" is for quantities that cannot be counted, such as water.
Example Question #441 : 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.
Amy drinks lesser water than Johnny, which is why Johnny refills his water bottle more often than Amy does.
fewest
fewer
least
few
less
less
As the question compares two people, a comparative form of the adjective in question must be used, meaning that "few," the regular form of the adjective, and "least" and "fewest," which are each superlative forms, are incorrect. While "fewer" and "less" might each look like a potentially correct answer, "fewer" is used to distinguish between countable nouns, while "less" is used to distinguish between uncountable nouns, like "water." (You can tell if a noun is countable or not if you could precede it with a number, and "seven water" doesn't make sense, given how "water" is used here.) So, "less" is the correct answer.
Example Question #442 : 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Why do you look at me like I am so much lesser intelligently than you are?
much lesser in intelligent
much fewer intelligent
lessly intelligently
much lessly intelligently
much less intelligent
much less intelligent
"Intelligently" is an adverb and adverbs are not used comparatively, so we need to change "intelligently" to "intelligent," an adjective. Also, "lesser," an adjective, needs to be changed to a determiner, "less." So, "less intelligent" is the correct answer.
Example Question #21 : Comparative And Superlative Adjective And Adverb 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 teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst musician; both were practically tone deaf.
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse of the two musicians;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst of the musicians;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worst musician;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worsest musician;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse musician;
The teacher was reluctant to say which of the twin brothers was the worse musician;
If only two things are being compared, the comparative form ("better," "bigger," "smarter," etc.) is correct. If three or more things are being compared, the superlative form ("best," "biggest," "smartest," etc.) is correct. Because there are only the two brothers here, we use the comparative form: “worse” and not “worst.” In addition, because “worse musician” is more concise than “worse of the two musicians,” it is the better answer.
Example Question #443 : 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.
I’m not sure whose garden is of the prettiest: Leah’s, David’s, or Juanita’s.
I’m not sure whose garden is the most pretty:
I’m not sure whose garden is prettiest:
I’m not sure whose garden is of the prettiest:
I’m not sure whose garden is prettier:
I’m not sure whose garden is the most prettiest:
I’m not sure whose garden is prettiest:
If only two things are being compared, the comparative form ("better," "bigger," "smarter," etc.) is correct. If three or more things are being compared, the superlative form ("best," "biggest," "smartest," etc.) is correct. Because there are three gardens here, we use the concise superlative form: “prettiest” and not “prettier,” “most pretty,” or “most prettiest.”
Example Question #444 : 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.
I've heard that all vitamins are good for you, but of all the different kinds, are there any that are better?
are better
is the most
are best
is better
is the better
are best
When comparing more than two items, you should use superlative adjectives. So, in this case, you should use the word "best."
Example Question #1491 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
Less people threw they're support behind the politician as more of his personal issues were revealed.
Less peoples threw they're support
Fewer people threw their support
Fewer people threw they're support
Less people threw there support
Less people through they're support
Fewer people threw their support
The use of "they're" is incorrect in the sentence. "They're" is a contraction for "they are," while the sentence needs the third person plural possessive pronoun, "their." "Fewer people threw their support" is the correct answer choice.
Certified Tutor
All ACT English Resources
