Appositive and Interrupting Phrase Errors
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ACT English › Appositive and Interrupting Phrase Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Laura owned two horses a brown mare and a paint pony who lived in her backyard.
horses, a brown mare and a paint pony, who
NO CHANGE
horses. A brown mare and a paint pony. who
horses. A brown mare and a paint pony, who
horses a brown mare and a paint pony, who
Explanation
This question asks you about the correct punctuation to use with an appositive phrase. An appositive phrase is a noun phrase that describes the noun right before it. In this sentence, the phrase "a brown mare and a paint pony" describes the noun "horses." An appositive phrase should be surrounded by commas. Without commas, the sentence becomes a run-on sentence. The use of periods rather than commas creates a sentence fragment.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Laura owned two horses a brown mare and a paint pony who lived in her backyard.
horses, a brown mare and a paint pony, who
NO CHANGE
horses. A brown mare and a paint pony. who
horses. A brown mare and a paint pony, who
horses a brown mare and a paint pony, who
Explanation
This question asks you about the correct punctuation to use with an appositive phrase. An appositive phrase is a noun phrase that describes the noun right before it. In this sentence, the phrase "a brown mare and a paint pony" describes the noun "horses." An appositive phrase should be surrounded by commas. Without commas, the sentence becomes a run-on sentence. The use of periods rather than commas creates a sentence fragment.
“John Adams—A Forgotten American Founder”
Sadly, the great exploits of important \[46\] men and women is often forgotten in the mists of history. The myths and historical tales of a nation can lead the people to forget \[47\] some of their most important founders and national heroes. In the United States of America, this kind of forgetfulness has occurred in the case of the Founding Father, John Adams. For a number of reasons, President Adams \[48\] had been forgotten. Recounting the \[49\] tales of the nations’ founding, many remember figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. \[50\] However, during those early years of the republic, Adams was a pivotal figure in assuring independence to the burgeoning nation.
\[51\] During the debates concerning the Declaration of Independence, Adams was something of a “chief orator,” tirelessly attempting to convince the gathered parties of the importance of declaring independence from England. \[52\] Adams a temperamental and passionate man, was the perfect person to fill such a role. In contrast to the judicious Franklin and the controlled and quiet Jefferson, he was fit for performing such oratorical shows and bombasts. \[53\] Although he joined Jefferson and Franklin on the drafting committee for the declaration, his most important work during this time was arguably this long project of oratory.
\[54\] In addition, many forget the lonely years Adams spent as a minister to France and as the first minister to England. What a difficult affair such posts would have been at the time. \[55\] As the minister to France, what weight could he have had with the court of such an old European nation? Furthermore, Adams \[56\] was not temperamentally \[57\] suited for French courtly customs being a stern and somewhat moralistic man. \[58\] Then, to be sent to England—how difficult that must have been. As the minister on behalf of a once-rebel nation, how could he stand before the Court of King James? Nevertheless, Adams served his \[59\] post nobly and deserves great recognition for this devoted service to his young nation.
Choose the answer that best corrects section \[52\].
Adams, a temperamental and passionate man, was the perfect person to fill such a role.
Adams a temperamental and passionate man, had been the perfect person to fill such a role.
Adams a temperamental and passionate man was the perfect person to fill such a role.
NO CHANGE
Explanation
In this sentence, "Adams" is in apposition to "a temperamental and passionate man." These two words refer to the same "thing" (to the same person, that is—John Adams). Whenever you have an apposition like this, you need to surround the second expression (or word if it is only a word) with commas. As written, the first comma (directly after Adams) is missing.
“John Adams—A Forgotten American Founder”
Sadly, the great exploits of important \[46\] men and women is often forgotten in the mists of history. The myths and historical tales of a nation can lead the people to forget \[47\] some of their most important founders and national heroes. In the United States of America, this kind of forgetfulness has occurred in the case of the Founding Father, John Adams. For a number of reasons, President Adams \[48\] had been forgotten. Recounting the \[49\] tales of the nations’ founding, many remember figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. \[50\] However, during those early years of the republic, Adams was a pivotal figure in assuring independence to the burgeoning nation.
\[51\] During the debates concerning the Declaration of Independence, Adams was something of a “chief orator,” tirelessly attempting to convince the gathered parties of the importance of declaring independence from England. \[52\] Adams a temperamental and passionate man, was the perfect person to fill such a role. In contrast to the judicious Franklin and the controlled and quiet Jefferson, he was fit for performing such oratorical shows and bombasts. \[53\] Although he joined Jefferson and Franklin on the drafting committee for the declaration, his most important work during this time was arguably this long project of oratory.
\[54\] In addition, many forget the lonely years Adams spent as a minister to France and as the first minister to England. What a difficult affair such posts would have been at the time. \[55\] As the minister to France, what weight could he have had with the court of such an old European nation? Furthermore, Adams \[56\] was not temperamentally \[57\] suited for French courtly customs being a stern and somewhat moralistic man. \[58\] Then, to be sent to England—how difficult that must have been. As the minister on behalf of a once-rebel nation, how could he stand before the Court of King James? Nevertheless, Adams served his \[59\] post nobly and deserves great recognition for this devoted service to his young nation.
Choose the answer that best corrects section \[52\].
Adams, a temperamental and passionate man, was the perfect person to fill such a role.
Adams a temperamental and passionate man, had been the perfect person to fill such a role.
Adams a temperamental and passionate man was the perfect person to fill such a role.
NO CHANGE
Explanation
In this sentence, "Adams" is in apposition to "a temperamental and passionate man." These two words refer to the same "thing" (to the same person, that is—John Adams). Whenever you have an apposition like this, you need to surround the second expression (or word if it is only a word) with commas. As written, the first comma (directly after Adams) is missing.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
This is what the CEO of Tiny i Appetizers William Montegue had to say to his investors.
This is what William Montegue, CEO of Tiny i Appetizers, had to say to his investors.
This is what CEO of William Montegue's Tiny i Apps had to say to his investors.
This is what CEO William Montegue's Tiny i Apps had to say to his investors.
This is what the CEO of William Montegue and Tiny i Apps had to say to his investors.
NO CHANGE
Explanation
The descriptive information in the original sentence is best set off as an appositive describing the agent of action, namely William Montegue. Placing his title, etc., between commas as an appositive allows for greater clarity. Appositives are words or phrases (often proper nouns) that modify or rename the subject of a sentence.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
This is what the CEO of Tiny i Appetizers William Montegue had to say to his investors.
This is what William Montegue, CEO of Tiny i Appetizers, had to say to his investors.
This is what CEO of William Montegue's Tiny i Apps had to say to his investors.
This is what CEO William Montegue's Tiny i Apps had to say to his investors.
This is what the CEO of William Montegue and Tiny i Apps had to say to his investors.
NO CHANGE
Explanation
The descriptive information in the original sentence is best set off as an appositive describing the agent of action, namely William Montegue. Placing his title, etc., between commas as an appositive allows for greater clarity. Appositives are words or phrases (often proper nouns) that modify or rename the subject of a sentence.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Janet being a mother of five has a very strong sense of patience.
Janet, being a mother of five, has a very strong sense of patience.
Janet: being a mother of five: has a very strong sense of patience.
Janet being a mother of five; has a very strong sense of patience.
NO CHANGE
Explanation
Interrupting phrases are separated by commas. It does not matter where they come in a sentence. In this case, "being a mother of five" acts as such a contextualizing interrupting phrase.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Janet being a mother of five has a very strong sense of patience.
Janet, being a mother of five, has a very strong sense of patience.
Janet: being a mother of five: has a very strong sense of patience.
Janet being a mother of five; has a very strong sense of patience.
NO CHANGE
Explanation
Interrupting phrases are separated by commas. It does not matter where they come in a sentence. In this case, "being a mother of five" acts as such a contextualizing interrupting phrase.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Our friends who were often busy with sports didn't have a lot of time to spend with us.
Our friends, who were often busy with sports, didn't have a lot of time to spend with us.
Our friends- who were often busy with sports didn't have a lot of time to spend with us.
Our friends; who were often busy with sports didn't have a lot of time to spend with us.
NO CHANGE
Explanation
"Who were often busy with sports" should be set apart with commas because it is a non-essential part of the sentence, meaning it can be removed from the sentence and the sentence would still make sense. Without that part of the sentence, the sentence would read "Our friends didn't have a lot of time to spend with us" and would still make perfect sence.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Our friends who were often busy with sports didn't have a lot of time to spend with us.
Our friends, who were often busy with sports, didn't have a lot of time to spend with us.
Our friends- who were often busy with sports didn't have a lot of time to spend with us.
Our friends; who were often busy with sports didn't have a lot of time to spend with us.
NO CHANGE
Explanation
"Who were often busy with sports" should be set apart with commas because it is a non-essential part of the sentence, meaning it can be removed from the sentence and the sentence would still make sense. Without that part of the sentence, the sentence would read "Our friends didn't have a lot of time to spend with us" and would still make perfect sence.