ACT English : Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #1991 : 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.
Crossing in the middle of the street, the taxi driver could not see Velma and almost ran into her.
Crossing in the middle of the street, the taxi driver could not see Velma and almost ran into her.
Because she was crossing in the middle of the street, the taxi driver could not see Velma and almost ran into her.
As she crossed in the middle of the street, the taxi driver could not see Velma and almost ran into her.
Because Velma crossed in the middle of the street, the taxi driver could not see her and almost ran into her.
Crossed in the middle of the street, the taxi driver could not see Velma and almost ran into her.
Because Velma crossed in the middle of the street, the taxi driver could not see her and almost ran into her.
The original sentence has an unclear referent. Only the choice with Velma's name clarifies that Velma is indeed the individual who crossed in the middle of the street, as opposed to the taxi driver.
Example Question #481 : 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.
Doctors are notorious for having poor handwriting skills, and many pharmacists regularly complain about their prescriptions.
and many pharmacists regularly complain about doctors' prescriptions
and many pharmacists regularly complain about their prescription
and many pharmacists regularly complain about their prescriptions
and many regular pharmacists complain about their prescriptions
but many pharmacists regularly complain about their prescriptions
and many pharmacists regularly complain about doctors' prescriptions
The sentence has a vague pronoun reference. The use of "their" before "prescriptions" is ambiguous because we do not know if "their" refers to the doctors' or the pharmacists' prescriptions. The sentence needs to clarify to whom the pronoun refers, so the best answer choice is the one that does this, "and many pharmacists regularly complain about doctors' prescriptions."
Example Question #482 : 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.
Yesterday, you asked me whether I agree more with John F. Kennedy or Richard Nixon; after reading about their policies, I realize that I agree more with him.
Yesterday, you asked me whether I agree more with John F. Kennedy or Richard Nixon; after reading about their policies, I realize that I agree more with him.
Yesterday, you asked me whether I agree more with John F. Kennedy or Richard Nixon; after reading about their policies, I realize that I agree more with he.
Yesterday, you asked me whether I agree more with John F. Kennedy or Richard Nixon; after reading about their policies, I realize that the one with whom I agreed was him.
Yesterday, you asked me whether I agree more with John F. Kennedy or Richard Nixon; after reading about their policies, I realize that I agree more with Kennedy.
Yesterday, you asked me whether I agree more with John F. Kennedy or Richard Nixon; after reading about their policies, I realize that the one that I agreed with.
Yesterday, you asked me whether I agree more with John F. Kennedy or Richard Nixon; after reading about their policies, I realize that I agree more with Kennedy.
It is unclear if the “him” refers to Kennedy or Nixon. The correct answer makes it clear with whom I agree.
Example Question #483 : 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.
The businessman decided to pamper him with nice meals on the road.
pampering him with nice meals on the road.
to pamper him with nice meals on the road.
to pamper himself with nice meals on the road.
to pamper him with nice meals in the road.
to pamper him around nice meals on the road.
to pamper himself with nice meals on the road.
The use of the simple pronoun "him" is confusing in this sentence, as it is unclear exactly who the pronoun refers to, the subject or some other person. The best way to clear this confusion up is by using the reflexive pronoun "himself" to refer back to the subject. Thus, the correct answer choice is "to pamper himself with nice meals on the road."
Example Question #151 : Pronoun 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.
When Sheila, Veronica, and I spend time together, we always go to her favorite restaurant. No error
we always go to her favorite restaurant.
we always went to our favorite restaurant.
they always go to their favorite restaurant.
she always goes to our favorite restaurant.
we always go to our favorite restaurant.
we always go to our favorite restaurant.
This phrase must have a pronoun and a possessive pronoun which refer to all three individuals: "we" and "our."
In the answer choice "she always goes to our favorite restaurant," the pronoun “she” does not agree with the subject of “Sheila, Veronica, and I”—it should be “we.”
In the answer choice "we always go to her favorite restaurant," the possessive pronoun “her” should be “our,” as it refers to a restaurant preferred by all three subjects. Though this sentence could be correct, it is not the best option because “her” is not specified.
In the answer choice "we always went to our favorite restaurant," the verb “go” must agree with the present tense of “spend,” so it is incorrect.
In the answer choice "they always go to their favorite restaurant," the pronouns “they” and “their” exclude “I” as a subject, so it is incorrect.
Example Question #472 : 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 reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The political boss was notorious for making deals with his rival that only benefitted him.
which only benefitted him
that only benefits him
that only benefitted himself
that only benefitted him
that benefitted only him
that only benefitted himself
The use of "him" at the end of the sentence is confusing and awkward, as it is not clear to whom the pronoun is referring. Changing the simple pronoun to a reflexive pronoun allows the pronoun to refer back to the subject of the sentence clearly. Thus, the correct answer choice is "that only benefitted himself."
Example Question #151 : Pronoun 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 bankers loved the technological improvement of their new computers, but they didn't work well with them.
The bankers, though they loved their new computers, didn't work well with them.
The new computers were loved, but the bankers didn't work well with them.
The bankers loved their new computers, but didn't work well with them.
Though they loved their new computers, the bankers didn't work well with them.
The bankers loved the technological improvement of their new computers, but they didn't work well with them.
Though they loved their new computers, the bankers didn't work well with them.
The sentence is faulty because it uses a pronoun with an ambiguous antecedent. The reader can't be sure who either "they" or "them" is referring to -- the bankers or the computers. The error can be fixed by rearranging the sentence so that "they" is followed by the clarifying subject "bankers."
Example Question #484 : 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.
Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog she had to give him away.
Bessie knew when her cat, fighting her dog, had to give away.
Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog she had to give him away.
Bessie knew when her cat was fighting her dog, she had to give him away.
Bessie knew once her cat started fighting her dog, she had to give him away.
Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog, she had to give the former away.
Bessie knew when her cat started fighting her dog, she had to give the former away.
This is an example of an ambiguous pronoun. The "him" in "to give him away" in the original sentence could be applying to either the dog or the cat, so we must make clear that it is one or the other.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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.
If one wishes to understand a musical composition fully, we must consider the time period in which it was written.
we must consider the time period corresponding to when it was written.
we will have to consider the time period in which it was written.
we must consider the time period in which it was written.
one must consider the time period in which it was written.
we must have considered the time period in which it was written.
one must consider the time period in which it was written.
The answer choice "one must consider the time period in which it was written" is correct because it contains the word "one," which matches the word "one" used in the first clause of the sentence.
All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain the pronoun "we," and therefore lead to pronoun agreement errors.
Example Question #2001 : 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.
If one is to construct a comprehensive model of the global economy, we must first account for alternating periods of expansion and contraction in the business cycle.
we must account firstly for
one had first accounted for
we must first account for
one must first account to
one must first account for
one must first account for
The original text contains a pronoun consistency error. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the pronoun "we," but the sentence uses "one" before that. In order to maintain consistency, the underlined portion should use "one" rather than "we."
The answer choice "one had first accounted for" contains a tense error, even though it correctly uses "one" instead of "we."
The answer choice "one must first account to" is incorrect because the correct idiom is "account for."
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