ACT English › Misplaced or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Ascertaining the meaning of ancient writing is often beyond the reach of even the most learning scholars.
even the most learned scholars.
even the most learning scholars.
the most learning scholars.
even scholars most learning.
even the most learning of scholars.
The underlined phrase has a problem with the phrase "most learning." The phrase is describing the word "scholars." While the scholars might have "the most learning," this would make them "the most learned." The correct answer is "even the most learned of scholars."
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.
In all of human history, such actions before had never been undertaken.
such actions had never before been undertaken.
such actions before had never been undertaken.
such actions before never been undertaken.
actions before had never been undertaken.
such actions before had never be undertaken.
The main issue with the underlined phrase is one of word order, as "before" is stuck in a place that makes the meaning confusing. To improve this phrase, "before" should be moved to work with "never." "Such actions had never before been undertaken," is the correct answer choice.
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.
Only the cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
The only cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only the cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only the cure for the common cold is rest relaxation and fluids.
Only the cure for a common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only a cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
The use of "only" at the very beginning of the sentence creates confusion throughout the rest of the sentence. As it needs to directly modify "cure," it should be moved directly next to it. The answer choice that appropriately does this is "The only cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids."
My first year in San Francisco, I often met up with a friend of mine to stroll around the city. One day, seeing a hawk fly by above, my friend remarked that there was still wildlife to be found in the city, if one knew where to look.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose “NO CHANGE.”
NO CHANGE
my friend remarked that there was still wildlife to be found in the city, seeing a hawk fly by above,
my friend remarked that in the city, one could still find wildlife, seeing a hawk fly by above,
seeing a hawk fly by above, the city showed my friend that there was still wildlife to be found
my friend remarked about wildlife, seeing a hawk fly by above, that it could still be found in the city
This sentence is correct as written. The modifying phrase “seeing a hawk fly by above” is meant to describe the friend, and it does, because the words “my friend” are right next to that phrase. The other answer choices are not correct because each of them moves the modifying phrase or the words “my friend” so that they are no longer next to each other, as they are supposed to be.
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.
His manner of speech was like exactly his grandfather's.
His manner of speech was exactly like his grandfather's.
His manner of speech was like exactly his grandfather's.
His manner of speech was like exactly that of his grandfather's.
His manner of speech was like exactly his grandfathers.
His manner in speech was like exactly his grandfather's.
The placement of "exactly" in the sentence is confusing, as placing it after "like" makes it seem as though the manner was almost exactly or kind of exactly. By placing "exactly" after "was," the comparison between the two manners of speech is more clear, making the correct answer "His manner of speech was exactly like his grandfather's."
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.
Only the issue that mattered was the territorial rights of each nation.
The only issue that mattered
Only the issue that mattered
Only the issue that matters
Only the issue that is mattering
Only that issue that mattered
The use of "Only" at the beginning of the sentence is strange and confusing, making it unclear what it is modifying. The construction of the rest of the sentence means the word should modify "issue" directly. "The only issue that mattered" is the answer choice that correctly deploys the adjective.
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 flood was the beginning only of the area's experience with natural disasters that season.
The flood was only the beginning of the area's experience
The flood was the beginning only of the area's experience
The flood was the beginning only of the areas experience
The flood was the beginning only of the area's experiencing
The flood was the beginning only for the area's experience
The insertion of "only" between "beginning" and "of" makes the sentence confusing and awkward. The sentence is attempting to say that the flood began a sequence of awful natural disasters, but "only" should be moved to better indicate this. The answer choice that best clarifies the sentence is "The flood was only the beginning of the area's experience."
Jeremy had no luck convincing the members of the orchestral committee about his suggestions. He pleaded, cajoled, was begging, and even threatened the committee at various times, but yet despite being the conductor, he couldnt get them to agree to his requests. Despite many attempts, the committee would not listen to him. In the end, he decided to go through with the Christmas concert despite him not having his favorite composer on the program. Afterward, one of his friends, whom was in the audience, came up and asked him why was there no Handel on the program? "I did try" Jeremy replied "but the committee were unanimously against me. I nearly begged them all day to put one piece on the program. But try as I might I could not get a Handel on it."
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
begged them nearly
NO CHANGE
begged them near
almost begged them
The placement of the modifier in the original sentence indicates that Jeremy nearly begged them but in fact did not. The placement "begged them nearly all day" indicates that he did beg them and for a substantial period of time.
Studies that have shown pets can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety.
Studies have shown that pets can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety.
Studies that have shown pets can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety.
Studies that have shown pets can help people with problems as such as depression and anxiety.
Studies that have shown pets can help people with problems such as depression or anxiety.
Studies have shown pets that can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety.
The insertion of "that" between "studies" and "have" makes the sentence unclear and strangely incomplete, as the sentence essentially becomes a dependent clause. By placing "that" after "shown," the sentence becomes much more clear and appropriately makes the dependent clause after the main body of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "Studies have shown that pets can help people with problems such as depression and anxiety."
\[1\] Some people are excited, some people are just annoyed. \[2\] Being called to jury duty can inspire a range of different emotions. \[3\] Unsure how long the trial will take, a call to jury duty can be stressful for people who can’t afford to miss work or school.
Some people will be making attempts to get out of jury duty. However, most will still need to serve. Fortunately, many cases are settled before going to trial and is not uncommon for trials to just last only one day. Either way, once you have served on a jury, you won’t have to do it again for a while!
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."
Unsure how long the trial will take, people who can't afford to miss work or school can find a call to jury duty stressful.
NO CHANGE
People who find a call to jury duty stressful, who can't afford to miss work or school, are unsure how long the trial will take.
Unsure how long the trial will take, a call to jury duty, for people who can't afford to miss work or school, can be stressful.
When called to jury duty, people, who can't afford to miss work or school, are not sure how long the trial will take.
This question asks you to fix a modifier error. The modifying phrase, "Unsure how long the trial will take," should be placed as close as possible to the phrase it modifies, "people." In the original text, the misplaced modifier wrongly suggests that the "call" itself is unsure of the length of the trial. The best answer, "Unsure how long the trial will take, people who can't afford to miss work or school can find a call to jury duty stressful," relocates the modifier to make the sentence more clear without changing its meaning.