ACT English › Other Verb 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 many problems accruing in the project seeming to get worse over time.
seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to get worse over time.
have seeming to get worse over time.
have been seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to getting worse over time.
The use of the verb "seeming" in the sentence makes the sentence incomplete. As "seeming" is a gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun, there is actually no verb in the sentence. The correct answer is "seemed to get worse over time."
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 young girl showing great aptitude for playing the piano from an early age.
showed great aptitude for playing the piano
showing great aptitude for playing the piano
showing greater aptitude for playing the piano
showing great aptitude at playing the piano
showing great aptitude on playing the piano
The use of the present participle "showing" as the verb in the sentence makes the verb actually not have a verb. A participle needs to be accompanied by some form of the verb "to be" in order to be a workable verb in a sentence. The answer choice that corrects this issue is "showed great aptitude for playing the piano," which uses a straightforward past tense verb.
“The Dark Ages?” by Matthew Minerd (2016)
There are two different ways to consider the so-called “Dark Ages.” On the one hand, you can think of the period directly after the fall of the Roman Empire, when civilization began to collapse throughout the Western Empire. On the other hand, you can consider the period that followed this initial collapse of society. It is a gross simplification too use the adjective dark to describe the civilization of either of these periods.
As regards the first period it is quite a simplification to consider this period to be a single historical moment. It is not as though the civilization switched off like a lightbulb. At one moment light and then, at the next, dark. Instead, the decline of civilization occurred over a period of numerous decades and was, in fact, already occurring for many years before the so-called period of darkness. Thus, the decline of civilization was not a rapid collapse into barbarism, but instead, was a slow alteration of the cultural milieu of a portion of Europe. Indeed, the Eastern Roman Empire retained much of it’s cultural status during these years of decline!
More importantly, the period following the slow collapse of the Western Empire was much less “dark” than almost every popular telling states. Indeed, even during the period of decline, the seeds for cultural restoration was being sown. A key element of this cultural revival were the formation of monastic communities throughout the countryside of what we now know as Europe. Although these were not the only positive force during these centuries, the monasteries had played an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance.
How should the underlined and bolded selection be changed?
It is a gross simplification to use the adjective
It was a gross simplification too use the adjective
It was a gross simplification to use the adjective
It is a gross simplification, too, use the adjective
It is a gross simplification, too, to use the adjective
As written, the selection misuses the word "too." This means also. What you need is the form "to" in order to complete the infinitive verb form "to use." Note, however, that you should not add "too" in addition to "to." There is no need for expressing "also" in the actual content expressed in this passage. This is the only direct statement made about the simplification in question. Hence, you do not need to say "also" or "too."
For amateur swimmers, or those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
For amateur swimmers, or those who lack swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, meaning those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, which are swimmers that are lacking in swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who have a lack of experience, which is in swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
No improvement necessary.
The improved sentence is better than the original because it cuts out unnecessary words, changing "or those who are lacking," to "or those who lack." This change also avoids having the same word next to itself, as was the case in "swimming, swimming." Although there was nothing grammatically wrong with this sentence, there was room for stylistic improvement, which was made.
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.
Many psychologists now argue that vacations being one of the best ways for people to reduce their stress.
are one of the best ways
being one of the best ways
being one the best ways
being one of the best way
being one for the best ways
The use of "being" makes the sentence actually not have a verb, as "being" is a gerund, or a verb form that is used as a noun. The sentence needs to be changed so that it contains a verb. The only answer choice that corrects the issue is "are one of the best ways."
I love to cleaning. It’s a good way to unwind at the end of the day, and, I always function better in a clean environment. I once heard someone say, “You’re home is your temple.” I attempt to lived my life by that. My priorities are getting rid of clutter, sweeping the floor, washing the dishes, and cleaning the counter top in our kitchen. I mop the floor extremely, quickly. I don’t mop all that often, but my roommates appreciate it whenever I do!.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
I love cleaning.
I loved cleaning.
NO CHANGE
I love when cleaning.
I love when to cleaning.
The word “cleaning” functions as a gerund in this sentence, so it can be treated like a noun. It is the predicate nominative of the verb “love.”
“I love (blank).”
“I love cleaning.” – The predicate nominative is a gerund.
“I love paper.” – The predicate nominative is a noun.
“I hate reading.” – The predicate nominative is a gerund.
“I hate food.” – The predicate nominative is a noun.
It is grammatically correct to write, "I loved cleaning." However, the author uses the present tense in the rest of the paragraph, so the past tense does not fit here.
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 allied movements are designed making their opponents uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
making their opponents uneasy.
make their opponents uneasy.
making opponents of theirs uneasy.
make opponents of theirs uneasy.
The issue in the sentence is with the verb "making." It is used not as the verb, but as a modifier of "designed;" therefore, it needs to take a form that can appropriately do so, such as an infinitive. "To make their opponents uneasy," is the best choice among the answers.
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.
Working out of a former garage, the business growing rapidly into a multinational corporation.
the business grew rapidly
the business growing rapidly
the business growing rapid
the business growing more rapidly
that business growing rapidly
The use of the participle "growing" makes the sentence actually not have a verb, as a participle needs some form of the verb "to be" to make a complete verbal phrase. "Growing" needs to be changed to a verb that can work on its own as the main verb of the sentence. The only answer choice to do so is "the business grew rapidly."
When she was asked what her favorite activity was, Micaela said sleep.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
said "sleeping."
NO CHANGE
says "sleep."
says "sleeping."
"slept."
Instead of the noun "sleep," a better choice is the gerund "sleeping". A gerund is a verb that ends in "-ing," like a participle, but acts like a noun (instead of an adjective). In this situation where Micaela is asked about an activity, it's better to use the gerund form because it is more "active" than just the normal noun.
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 whole group working under an immense amount of pressure from the higher-ups in the office.
worked under an immense amount of pressure
working under an immense amount of pressure
working under an immensely amount of pressure
working under an immense amounts of pressure
working over an immense amount of pressure
The use of the participle "working" as the verb in this sentence is incorrect, as a participle needs to be preceded by some form of the verb "to be" in order to function as the verb of a sentence. Either the verb needs to be changed to a workable verb, a form of "to be" needs to be inserted into the sentence right before it. The only answer choice that does either is "worked under an immense amount of pressure," which uses a simple past tense verb.