ACT English : Punctuation Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #17 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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 reference to the old film was strange, the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange and the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange so the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange; the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange, the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange; the author had never before referred to movies.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two independent clauses together to show their relationship. A compound sentence must always be joined by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that properly joins the two parts of the sentence is "The reference to the old film was strange; the author had never before referred to movies.
Example Question #282 : Punctuation 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.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard, most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard and most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard so most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard; most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard, most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard; most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, joining two independent phrases under one sentence to show the clauses' relationship. Any compound sentence must be joined either by a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that properly joins the two phrases is "Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard; most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks."
Example Question #18 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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 book reached well over 600 pages in its first draft, subsequent drafts would be revised to make it under 400 pages.
in its first draft subsequent drafts
in its first draft and subsequent drafts
in its first draft, subsequent drafts
in its first draft: subsequent drafts
in its first draft; subsequent drafts
in its first draft; subsequent drafts
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, featuring two indpendent clauses that are joined together to show their relationship. The two parts of a compound sentence must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that appropriately joins the two parts is "in its first draft; subsequent editions."
Example Question #1522 : Improving Sentences
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 defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable, his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable and his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable, instead, his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable; his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable, his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable; his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two independent clauses together to show their relationship. However, the sentence does not properly join the two clauses, which must be done either with a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that correctly joins the two clauses is "The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable; his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
Example Question #21 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted, no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted, however, no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted, no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted; no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted so no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted; no one is a completely perfect person.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses together to show their relationship. A compound sentence, though, must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction, not just a comma as in the sentence as it is written. The only answer choice that correctly joins the two clauses is "Making mistakes is something that must be accepted; no one is a completely perfect person."
Example Question #283 : Punctuation 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.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel, it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel, it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel; it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach, in that novel it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author, tried a new approach in that novel, it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel; it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses together to show their relationship. A compound sentence must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction, rather than just a comma as done in this sentence. The only answer choice to properly join the two clauses is "The novel was a new approach for the respected author; it was her first book to feature multiple narrators."
Example Question #161 : Comma 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.
The little things can make the biggest difference in a project, the big things can cause everything to fall apart.
the biggest difference in a project and the big things
the biggest difference in a project; the big things
the biggest difference in a project: the big things
the biggest difference in a project, the big things
the biggest difference in a project and—the big things
the biggest difference in a project; the big things
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses together in one sentence to show their relationship. A compound sentence must be joined either by a comma followed by a conjunction, or a semicolon. The only answer choice that properly joins the two independent clauses is "the biggest difference in a project; the big things."
Example Question #162 : Comma Errors
Identifying sentence errors. Identify any error you find in an underlined portion of the passage. If you can find no errors, select "no error" as your answer choice.
There are several ways to go about fixing a broken down car, the first idea should be to look under the hood and call for help.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car; the first thing should be to call for help.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car; the first acts should be to look under the hood, and then call for help.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car, the first thing should be to call for help.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car, I will explain them below.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car; the first act should be to look under the hood.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car; the first acts should be to look under the hood, and then call for help.
To clarify and simplify the sentence, you can use a semicolon to separate the independent clauses, and you can separate the items on the list with a comma.
Example Question #171 : Comma 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.
Jeff couldn't stand his precalculus teacher, she would always demean him in front of his peers.
though she would always demean him in front of his peers.
she always demeaned him in front of his peers.
as she would always demean him in front of his peers.
she would always demean him in front of his peers.
in front of his peers she would demean him.
as she would always demean him in front of his peers.
Each of the clauses being combined in the sentence, "Jeff couldn't stand his precalculus teacher" and "she would always demean him in front of his peers" could function on its own as a complete sentence. This means that each clause is an independent clause, and because of this, the two should not be linked by just a comma; doing this creates an error called a "comma splice."
Without adding any words, you could merge the two clauses using a period or a semicolon; alternatively, you could add in an appropriate conjunction immediately after the comma. "As" works as just such a conjunction here, since Jeff's dislike for his teacher is because of her demeaning treatment of him. "Though" will not work, because it would suggest that he disliked her in spite of her negative treatment of him. So, the correct answer is "as she would always demean him in front of his peers," making the complete corrected sentence, "Jeff couldn't stand his precalculus teacher, as she would always demean him in front of his peers."
Example Question #24 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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.
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent, they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent and they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent: they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent (they desired to make peace with the humans).
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent, they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent so they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent: they desired to make peace with the humans.
A colon is the most appropriate punctuation to use when combining the two independent clauses present in the sentence because the second clause clarifies or elaborates the first clause. So, the correct answer is "As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent: they desired to make peace with the humans."
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