ACT English : Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #691 : 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.

Highway construction involves a great deal of planning, as it can be quite unpredictably.

Possible Answers:

 if it can be quite unpredictably.

as it can be very unpredictably.

 as it can be quite unpredictably.

if it can be quite unpredictable.

 as it can be quite unpredictable.

Correct answer:

 as it can be quite unpredictable.

Explanation:

The use of the adverb "unpredictably" is incorrect in the sentence, as it describes a noun and should be an adjective. Otherwise, the sentence is absolutely correct; therefore, the best answer choice is "as it can be unpredictable."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb Errors

Just as animals run when frightened, humans often have a strongly desire to flee when panicked.

Possible Answers:

have strong desire

have a strong desire

had strongly desires

have a strongly desire

had a strong desire

Correct answer:

have a strong desire

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence problematically contains a misused adverb, "strongly." This needs to be turned into an adjective to appropriately describe "desire." "Have a strong desire" is the only answer choice that does this and is fully gramatically correct.

Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb Errors

Under normal circumstances, the family would have never driven up to the frighteningly looking motel.

Possible Answers:

for the frighteningly looking motel.

to the frighteningly looked motel.

to the frighteningly looking motel.

to a frighteningly looking motel.

to the frightening looking motel.

Correct answer:

to the frightening looking motel.

Explanation:

The use of the word "frighteningly" is absolutely incorrect, as it is an adverb being used to describe a gerund, or a verb that takes the form of a noun, in "looking." Gerunds need to be modified with an adjective. Therefore, "to the frightening looking motel" is the correct answer.

Example Question #181 : 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.

Few people will ever remember too many detail from their early childhood.

Possible Answers:

too much details

too much detail

too many detail

many detail

much details

Correct answer:

too much detail

Explanation:

The two words "many" and "much" mean the same thing, "a lot of," but are used in two distinct ways. "Many" is used exclusively with counting nouns, while "much" is used with noncounting nouns; therefore, when used with "detail," "much" is correct, while "many" would be correct with "details."

Example Question #3 : Correcting Other 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. 

Until you completely comprehend the message of the author’s first novel, you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.

Possible Answers:

otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel.

you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.

Correct answer:

you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

Explanation:

The answer choice "otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect because it leaves the sentence with no independent clause.

In the answer choice "you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel," "equal" is an adjective, but you must choose an adverb that modifies the adjective “poignant." "Equally" is the correct form, so this answer choice is incorrect.

The answer choice "only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel," is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect. You must pick an independent clause.

In the answer choice "you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel,"the past tense form of “did appreciate” does not agree with the insubordinate clause, which indicates that something will happen in the future (after you comprehend the message). The appropriate choice should indicate somethign that occurrs in the future, so this answer choice is incorrect.

The answer choice "you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is a future-tense independent clause with the appropriate adverb form of "equally." It is correct!

Example Question #692 : 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.

Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.

Possible Answers:

of two researchers simultaneous.

by two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers in simultaneous.

of two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers simultaneous.

Correct answer:

by two researchers simultaneously.

Explanation:

The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #693 : 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.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Possible Answers:

He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and can't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make one laugh.

He were a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Correct answer:

He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Explanation:

The use of the adverb "horribly" is wrong, as the word modifies a noun, "comedian," and should actually be an adjective. This problem can be corrected by shifting "horribly" to its adjectival form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "He was a horrible comedian, with no ability to make anybody laugh."

Example Question #694 : 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 non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.

Possible Answers:

as it always handled it's money perfect.

as it always handles its money perfect.

as it always handled its money perfectly.

as it always handled its money perfect.

so it always handled its money perfect.

Correct answer:

as it always handled its money perfectly.

Explanation:

The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."

Example Question #2 : Correcting Other 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.

Even after giving it thoughtfully consideration, we are unfortunately not able to accept your application.

Possible Answers:

giving it thoughtfully consideration

thoughtfully give it consderation

giving it thoughtfully considering

giving it thoughtful consideration

thoughtfully given it consideration

Correct answer:

giving it thoughtful consideration

Explanation:

The use of the adverb "thoughtfully" is incorrect here, as it is being used to modify the noun "consideration." Adjectives, not adverbs, are used to modify nouns. The correct phrase is therefore "giving it thoughtful consideration," which uses the adjective "thoughtful" instead of the adverb "thoughtfully."

Example Question #2211 : 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.

Questions abounded in the inquiry into illegal payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.

Possible Answers:

alleged making

made alleged

alleged made

allegedly made

allegedly making

Correct answer:

allegedly made

Explanation:

The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."

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