ACT English › Subordinating Conjunction 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.
Because the giant squid is an elusive creature rarely seen by humans, scientists are beginning to gain a better understanding of the creature by studying it using remote cameras.
Although
Since
As
Considering
Because
The sentence is trying to explain that in spite of the giant squid's elusiveness, scientists are finding new ways of studying it. The sentence therefore is trying to contrast two ideas, as opposed to showing causation with the word "because." The only answer choice that uses a contrasting conjunction is "Although," so it is the correct answer.
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 highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes and was closed on Monday, I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, or I had to take an alternate route to work.
The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, although I had to take an alternate route to work.
Based on the information in this sentence, we can infer that there is a cause-and-effect relationship: as a result of the highway being closed, the speaker had to take a different route to work. “So” is the only conjunction here that indicates cause and effect.
I love 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."
It’s a good way to unwind at the end of the day, and I always function better in a clean environment.
It’s a good way to unwind at the end of the day; also I always function better in a clean environment.
It’s a good way to unwind at the end of the day, also, I always function better in a clean environment.
It’s a good way to unwind at the end of the day and, also, I always function better in a clean environment.
NO CHANGE
This sentence contains two clauses that are separate ideas, so a conjunction and punctuation are needed to connect them. The comma and the conjunction "and" correctly do this. The other choices incorrectly use commas or semicolons.
Adapted from The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1774; trans. Boylan 1854)
Wilhelm, what is the world to our hearts without love. What is a magic-lantern without light? You have but too kindle the flame within, and the brightest figures shine on the white wall; and, were love only to show us fleeting shadows, we are yet happy, when, like mere children, we behold it, and are transported with the splendid phantoms. I have not been able to see Charlotte today. I was prevented by company from which I could not disengage myself. What was to be done? I sent my servant to her house, that I might at least see somebody today whom had been near her. Oh, the impatience with which I waited for his return! Oh, the joy with which I welcomed him. I should certainly have caught him in my arms and kissed him, if I had not been ashamed.
It is said that the Bonona stone, when placed in the sun, attracts its rays and for a time appears luminous in the dark. So was it with me and this servant. The idea that Charlotte's eyes had dwelt on his countenance, his cheek, his very apparel, endeared it all inestimably to me so that, at that moment, I would not have parted from him for a thousand crowns. His presence made me so happy! Beware of laughing at me, Wilhelm. Can that be a delusion which makes us happy?
Which of the following is a clearer form of the sentence, "Can that be a delusion which makes us happy"?
Can that which makes us happy be a delusion?
NO CHANGE
Is that a delusion which makes us happy?
Would that which is a delusion make us happy?
Do not change the overall sense of the sentence in answering this question. Among the wrong answers, this happens in the case of "Would that which is a delusion make us happy?" In the original, the author was asking whether something which makes us happy would be able to be a delusion—not vice-versa. As written, the sentence awkwardly separates the relative clause "that which makes us happy" by placing "be a delusion" between "that" and "which." It would be better to keep the relative clause together, giving us the form, "Can that which makes us happy be a delusion?"
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.
Because my father was afraid of fish, so he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Although my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish the aquarium he would never take us to.
He would never take us to the aquarium because my father was afraid of fish.
Because my father was afraid of fish, so he would never take us to the aquarium.
Subordination problems happen when there are two subordinate clauses and no main clause. The "because" and "so" in the original sentence clash with each other. We only need one. That way, the clause from which a subordinating conjunction is omitted becomes an independent clause, and we need at least one independent clause in the sentence for it to be complete.
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.
Prisons are a relatively recent phenomenon in world history, because exorbitant costs.
because they have exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant cost.
exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs of prisons.
The underlined phrase, a separate clause further explaining the first half of the sentence, does not work as a complet sentence. In order to appropriately fit after "because," the phrase needs to be turned into a complete thought. "Because they had exorbitant costs" is the best choice among the answers.
Which of the following sentences incorrectly uses a subordinating conjunction?
All of these sentences are correct.
They could not see where they were going.
Although it was raining, they went hiking.
They had to whisper because it was late.
None of these sentences are correct.
There are two appropriate sentence structures using subordinate clauses:
1.) "Independent Clause + Subordinate Clause"
2.) "Subordinate Clause + Comma + Independent Clause"
All of the answer choices conform to one of the two structures. "They could not see where they were going" follows the first rule (with "where" being the subordinating conjunction), as does "They had to whisper because it was late" (with "because" being the subordinating conjunction). "Although it was raining, they went hiking" follows the second structure (with "although" being the coordinating conjunction).
Adapted from Sozein ta Phainomena: An Essay Concerning Physical Theory from Plato to Galileo by Pierre Duhem (translated by Matthew Minerd)
What are physical theories’ value? What relation does it have with metaphysical explication? These are questions that are greatly stirred and raised in our days. However, as with other questions, they are in no manner completely new. It is a question that has been posed in all ages. As long as there has been a science of nature, they have been posed. Granted, the form that they assume changes somewhat from one age to another, for they borrow their various appearance from the scientific vocabularies of their times. Nevertheless, one need only dismiss this outer vestment in order to recognize that they remain essentially identical to each other.
The science of nature offers us up until the 17th century at least, very few parties that managed to create theories expressed in a mathematical language. . . . If we leave aside several exceptions, an historical investigation places before our eyes strong evidence of a type science that would indeed be a prediction of modern mathematical physics. This science is astronomy. That is, where we would say, “Physical theory,” the Greek, Muslim, Medieval, and early Renaissance sages would say, “Astronomy.” However, for these earlier thinkers, the other parts of the study of nature did not attain a similar degree of perfection. That is, they did not express the laws of experience in a mathematical manner similar to that found in astronomy. In addition, during this time, the study of the material realities generally were not separated from what we would call today, “metaphysics.”
Thus, you can see why the question that concerns us takes two related, though different forms. Today, we ask, “What are the relations between metaphysics and physical theory?” However, in past days; indeed, for nearly two thousand years; it was formulated instead as, “What are the relations between physics and astronomy?”
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
takes two related, though different, forms
NO CHANGE
takes two related though different forms
take two related, though different forms
takes two—related though different—forms
The subordinating conjunction "though" creates a clause that should be set off from the main clause by commas. The subordinate clause in question is "though different." The main clause is structurally adequate in itself: "takes two related . . . forms." To show the subordinate nature of this clause, place an additional comma after "different."
Adapted from "The Weakness, Unrest, and Defects of Man," from The Thoughts of Blaise Pascal (ed. 1901)
We care nothing for the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if we could make it move faster; or we call back the past, to stop its rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander through the times in which we have no part, unthinking of that which alone is ours; so frivolous are we that we dream of the days which are not and pass by without reflection those which alone exist. For the days of the present generally gives us pain; we conceal it from our sight because it afflicts us, and if it be pleasant, we regret to see it vanish away. We endeavor to sustain the present by the future, and think of arranging things not in our power, for a time at which we have no certainty of arriving.
If we examine our thoughts, we shall find them always occupied with the past or the future. We scarcely think of the present, and if we do so, it is only that we may borrow light from it to direct the future. The present is never our end; the past and the present are our means, the future alone is our end. Thus we never live, but hope to live, and while we always lay ourselves out to be happy, it is inevitable that we can never be so.
Which of the following best translates the author’s usage of “as” bolded in the second sentence?
as being
like
akin to
while
The sense of the sentence in question is that we anticipate the future and thus treat it as though it is coming too slowly. Another way that we could translate "as" here would be "as though it were..." In lieu of this longer phrase, "as being" is an adequate translation. The options indicating similarity or similitude are not appropriate in this context.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Kendall made known to all of her friends that, she was the fastest runner.
Kendall made known to all of her friends that she was the fastest runner.
Kendall made known to all of her friends that:she was the fastest runner.
No change
Kendall made known to all of her friends that- she was the fastest runner.
No comma or other punctuation is required here to separate the clause "she was the fastest runner" because it is an indirect quotation introduced by "that."