ACT English : Usage Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English

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Example Questions

Example Question #13 : 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.

The old man usual took his walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.

Possible Answers:

The old man usual took

The usual old man took

The old man usual takes

The old man usually took

The old man usual taken

Correct answer:

The old man usually took

Explanation:

The use of the word "usual" in the sentence is incorrect, as it describes the verb "took," which means it needs to take an adverb form. The only answer choice with the correct form that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "The old man usually took."

Example Question #14 : 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.

Marriages are increasing being delayed among young adults throughout the nation.

Possible Answers:

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Marriages are increasingly being delaying

Marriages are increasing being delaying

Marriages are increasingly been delayed

Marriages are increasing being delayed

Correct answer:

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Explanation:

The word "increasing" in the sentence is used to describe the verb phrase "being delayed." Even though these words are not the verb in the sentence, they still need an adverb form to describe them. The correct answer is "Marriages are increasingly being delayed."

Example Question #51 : Other Adjective And Adverb Errors

The truth is, I kinda hate my brother. Can you blame me? We're always fighting. Today, he "borrowed" my favorite book and now its ripped in two.  Likewise, my brother and I like to play sports together. We both bond over games like volleyball, and basketball. We both play real good. We even were considering trying out for the high school team together.

Which of the following is the best alternative for the underlined phrase, "real good"?

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

really well

really good

better

real well

Correct answer:

really well

Explanation:

First of all, the word being described is "play," which is a verb; therefore, an adverb is needed to describe "play." The adverb form of "good" is "well." To describe the word "well," which is an adverb, one needs another adverb. "Really" is the adverb form of "real." Therefore, "really well" is the correct way to describe the pair's playing.

Example Question #52 : Other Adjective And Adverb Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Anna knew it was to late to catch the bus to school in time for English class.

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

it was too late

it was two late

it was later than to

it was to be too late

Correct answer:

it was too late

Explanation:

"too" serves as an adjective here, not a preposition. Adjective form is "too" and preposition form is "to."

Example Question #2551 : Act English

Passage adapted from G. K. Chesterton, What I Saw in America (1922)

Now when I was lecturing in America I was often told, in a radiant and congratulatory manner, that such and such a person was bound to come and hear me lecture. It seemed a very, cruel form of conscription, and I could not understand what authority could have made it compulsory. In the course of discovering my error, however, I thought I began to understand certain American ideas and instincts that lie behind this American idiom. For as I have urged before, and shall often urge again, the road to international friendship is through really understanding jokes. It is in a sense through taking jokes seriously. It is quite legitimate to laugh at a man who walks down the street in three white hats and a green dressing gown, because it is unfamiliar; but after all the man has some reason for what he does; and until we know the reason we do not understand the story, or even understand the joke. So the outlander will always seem outlandish in custom or costume; but serious relations depend on our getting beyond the fact of difference to the things wherein it differs. A good symbolical figure for all this may be found among the people who say, perhaps with a self-revealing simplicity, that they are bound to go to a lecture.

Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

taking jokes serious

taking serious jokes

taking seriously jokes

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

NO CHANGE

Explanation:

This sentence discusses how something ought to be done (i.e, how jokes should be taken) by using an adverb ("seriously") to modify a verb phrase ("taking jokes") without splitting it up. Adjectives, such as "serious," should only be used to modify noun phrases.

Example Question #53 : Other Adjective And Adverb Errors

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

A well-rehearsed big band is reminiscent of a fine tuned engine with all of its components working together in harmony.

Possible Answers:

finely

finer

finest

NO CHANGE

most fine

Correct answer:

finely

Explanation:

"Tuned" is an adjective that modifies the noun "engine". Adverbs modify adjectives, so the adverb "finely" is necessary in this sentence.

Example Question #2214 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

“What is Leisure?”

It would likely surprise [1] modern readers if he or she were told that the meaning of life is leisure. This seems to be the same thing as saying that the meaning of life is nothing more than relaxing by the side of the pool. [2] One can imagine almost anyone thinking to himself, “What a preposterous idea.” This idea is not as foreign as it might appear at first glance. Indeed, [3] it could be considered the classic Western position about the very meaning of life. [4] This, of course, lies in contrast to all other global positions, but that’s a topic for another day.

[5] Of course, we need to understand what is meant by the word leisure if we are going to understand this assertion. The best way to understand this is to consider a contrast between two different kinds of activity. [6] On the one hand, there are many activities that are for the sake of something else. [7] On the other hand. There are those activities that are done for their own sake. These latter kinds of activities are those that are properly understood as being leisurely. [8] For example, when someone cuts onions for a meal, the cutting of the onions is not done for their own sake. The easiest way to figure out if something is being done for the sake of another end is to ask, “Why are you doing that.” [9] The onion cutter will answer, “I am doing it so that I can make dinner.” This helps us to see that the cutting of the onions is for the sake of something else. [10] Indeed, even the eating of dinner is for the sake of something else, namely attaining adequate nutrition.

[11] In contrast to these examples, leisurely activities are those that are done for they’re own sake. [12] For example, ask someone who enjoys organ music why he is listening to an organ concert. The answer will almost certainly be, “For the sake of listening to organ music. It is that important and beautiful!” Many things can be considered leisurely, including forms of games that are played merely for their own enjoyment; however, it is important to bear in mind that there is a hierarchy of goods. [13] Some types of leisure are better than others and likely are more preferable.

Choose the answer that best corrects section [3].

Possible Answers:

it could be considered the classic-western position

it could be considered the classic western position

it would be considered the classic Western position

NO CHANGE

Correct answer:

it would be considered the classic Western position

Explanation:

In this case, the word "Western" clearly refers to something that designates a proper noun. It is not merely indicating a general direction, as when we say, "The restaurant is on the western side of Washington, DC." Instead, the word "Western" is being used here to refer to "the West" in the sense of "Western Civilization." Thus, it is best to leave this selection unchanged, for it is written well enough as is. Likewise, you should not change the verb to "was." While some philosophers and commentators do think that Western Civilization no longer believe this point, this short essay really doesn't tell us one way or the other about this fact. Therefore, the conditional "could" is best left in the passage.

Example Question #701 : Usage Errors

Margaret Mitchell the writer was having a horrible day. She just completed her latest novel when the tornado sirens went off. Fast, she rushed down into the basement, barricaded the door, and she sat in a corner of the dank dusty room to wait for the storm to pass. The winds howled noisy and increased in intensity until it sounded like the tornado was right above her. Suddenly, a gigantic bang echoed throughout the basement and Margaret dropped to the floor in terror. Then just as suddenly the noise vanished. Margaret got up and dusted her off before moving hesitantly toward the basement door. She opened it, and found the house above her was completely gone. Despite the horror of the site, she sighed and muttered, "Oh, well." A neighbor came running up to her and said, "Margaret! Thank goodness your alive! But what happened to your house, and what about your new book?" Margaret gave a rueful smile and replied, "Oh, that's Gone With The Wind."

Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

Quickly

NO CHANGE

Quick

Fastly

Correct answer:

Quickly

Explanation:

"Fast" is an adjective, but in the passage as written, it is being used to describe how Mitchell "rushed." Adjectives cannot describe verbs, but adverbs describe verbs, so changing "Fast" to "Quickly" would correct the error.

Example Question #702 : Usage Errors

One of the most popular programs of all those featured on the Internet (1) is a video clip show.  The format of the show is simple, each (2) week the host, a short but attractive New York native named John Jackson introduces (3) a set of three video clips from all over the Internet.  These clips shows (4) people hurting themselves in accidents, getting into crazy situations, interacting stupidly with animals, and et cetera. (5) Jackson introduces each clip comically and often comments on the action with animations where (6) he makes fun of the people in the videos.  While the videos are often funny, there is definitely an element of schadenfreude involved in watching these clips.  Schadenfreude is a German word for "the pleasure one takes at seeing the suffering of others".  (7) Jacksons (8) show are (9) not far removed from popular TV programs like (10) The U.S. Laughs at You there is also a version of which (11) on the Internet.  It is an open question whether laughing at these videos is a harmless activity or it causes harm to us. (12)

Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake preceding the question number.  If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

NO CHANGE

of which

when

in which

Correct answer:

in which

Explanation:

"Where" should be used only for expressions denoting places, so the best and most gramattical replacement here would be "in which."

Example Question #703 : Usage Errors

Many people watch football however (1) some do not. With (2) those who do not watch this sport (3) football is an incomprehensible pastime. Non football (4) fans cannot understand what is so exciting about watching two packs of grown men running away or toward each other, while (5) clinging for dear life to a piece of pigskin. It also makes from little to no sense (6) why those whom (7) play the sport gets (8) paid the exorbitant amounts that they do, even though he is (9) in effect doing the same thing that high school and college students do on a daily bases (10). But as the French would say, "Chacun à son goût" (11) though its (12) highly doubtful that most football fans (or even people who are not fans) would know what that means.

Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake preceding the question number. If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."

Possible Answers:

whose

(DELETE)

NO CHANGE

who

Correct answer:

who

Explanation:

The pronoun here is being used as a subject for the verb "play," so "who" would be the appropriate choice.

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