ACT English : Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb Mood 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.
He said he wouldn’t have jumped into the murky lake if someone else hasn’t jumped before him.
if someone else was not to have jumped before him.
if someone else were not to have jumped before him.
if someone else hasn’t jumped before him.
if someone else hadn’t jumped before him.
if someone else would not to have jumped before him.
if someone else hadn’t jumped before him.
This sentence will try to trick you into using the subjunctive mood, but remember that the subjunctive is only used to describe hypothetical situations and dreams. Because the character actually did jump into the murky lake, the correct mood is simply the past indicative: “He said he wouldn’t have jumped into the murky lake if someone else hadn’t jumped before him.”
Example Question #221 : 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
The cheese was given to the child by the parent, who then complained that it was too smelly to eat.
The cheese was given to the child by the parent
The cheese by the parent was given to the child
The parent gave the cheese to the child
To the child the cheese was given by the parent
The child gave by the parent the cheese
The parent gave the cheese to the child
The correct answer choice ("The cheese was given to the child by the parent") uses the active voice instead of the passive voice and makes the most grammatical sense in the sentence. Sometimes the passive voice is necessary, but when it is not necessary, it should be avoided.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Verb Mood 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.
In order to correcting John's essay, the professor needed to examine a very obscure theory on paleontology.
In order to correct John's essay
In order to John's essay correcting
In order to corrected John's essay
In order to correcting John's essay
In order to John's essay correct
In order to correct John's essay
The phrase "to correcting" is grammatically incorrect in standard written English, and needs to be "to correct" in the underlined phrase.
Example Question #222 : 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.
Were you to have chosen that restaurant, we would have to dress up.
Were you to chose
Was you to chose
Were you to choose
Were you to have chosen
Was you to choose
Were you to choose
This sentence is an example of the present subjunctive, which is most commonly used in English to express hypothetical situations, wishes, and desires. The correct long form of the sentence is “if you were to choose that restaurant,” and “were you to choose that restaurant” is simply an inversion and shortening of the long form. (“Were you to have chosen that restaurant” is the past subjunctive, which doesn’t match the future conditional form of the second half of the sentence.)
Example Question #223 : Usage Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
If I was a parent, I would travel with my children so that they could see the world.
As if I was a parent,
If I was to be a parent,
NO CHANGE
If I would be a parent,
If I were a parent,
If I were a parent,
In this case, "were" is the proper use of the subjunctive mood, which is required for speculation (the person is not actually a parent, just contemplating how he or she would behave if so)
Example Question #224 : Usage Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Ms. Jackson requires that a student who wishes to earn an "A" in Physics completes at least three lab reports each quarter.
is completing
completing
NO CHANGE
complete
completed
complete
The word "requires" puts the sentence into the imperative mood. The present subjunctive verb "complete" is necessary in this case.
Example Question #484 : Word Usage Errors
“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?
Although these were not the only positive force during these centuries, the monasteries will have played an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance
Although these were not the only positive force during these centuries, the monasteries would play an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance
NO CHANGE
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
Although these were not the only positive force during these centuries, the monasteries will play an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance
Although these were not the only positive force during these centuries, the monasteries would play an important role in preserving and advancing the cause of culture through at least the thirteenth century and arguably until the Renaissance
The problem with the sentence, as written, is its misuse of the past perfect form "had played." We use the past perfect when we refer to things that are further in the past than are other past-tense verbs in the sentence. For example, you could say, "After he had brushed his teeth, he went to bed." This indicates that the person first brushed his teeth then went to bed.
For this sentence, you need to indicate that with the passage of years, the monasteries would play an important role. The future tense ("will play") is not completely appropriate, as we are not talking about the future relative to the rest of the narrative of the passage. Thus, it is a little clearer if we use the conditional "would." This expresses that, given the "condition" of years passing, the monasteries would play an important role in the preservation of culture.
Example Question #485 : Word Usage Errors
“On the Nature of Belief”
Belief and faith often are critiqued in a scientific culture. It can seem that mere belief is a replacement for science made available to soothe the ignorant masses. There is some truth to such accusations, and many people do use belief as a screen to cover their own ignorance about the truths of reality. Everyone should be aware, however, that almost every single human being have these kinds of “blind spots.” We all live with many things that we merely believe, all of which are so central to ones world view.
Even if we set aside all such types of beliefs, there still remains a broad terrain of human life in which faith and belief remain—even if we ignore all religious matters whatsoever. Imagine the scientist who’s work on brain neurons depends upon many discoveries made by many other people. Yes, if it were possible, it would be better for such a person to know all of the details that they accept merely at the word of other scientists. In all cases, seeing directly is more fulfilling than merely hearing about something.
However, is the scientist better off when he or she knows only what they have experienced directly. Although it is preferable that he or she knows such facts. However, it is impossible to investigate everything. Sometimes, one must extend one’s own vision with the vision of someone else. In a way, the person who thus “takes it on faith” gains a further vision.
Such faith always relies upon the credibility of the person who shares the experience, of course. For one person to believe on faith what another person says, it is presupposed that the other person is not a liar and actually could have experienced the matter in question. This means that even the “scientific believer” must take the risk of placing credibility in someone who has witnessed things that he or she has not seen. While this does not vindicate every kind of faith that people have had, it does provide a telling sign that faith, as such, is not always the refuge of the ignorant. Indeed, it is an important part of all of our lives, even the lives of scientists, who’s daring and investigative work is rarely criticized as being a refuge for ignorance!
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."
Yes if it were possible it would be
NO CHANGE
Yes, if it had been possible, it could be
Yes, if it was possible, it would be
Yes, if it was possible, it could be
NO CHANGE
Likely, the conditional, "If it were possible," seems strange to you. Normally, we would say, "It was possible." However, since this expression is in a conditional clause, you need to use the subjunctive mood. This is very rare in English, but the proper form is, "If it were." Hence, the sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #486 : Word Usage Errors
“On the Nature of Belief”
Belief and faith often are critiqued in a scientific culture. It can seem that mere belief is a replacement for science made available to soothe the ignorant masses. There is some truth to such accusations, and many people do use belief as a screen to cover their own ignorance about the truths of reality. Everyone should be aware, however, that almost every single human being have these kinds of “blind spots.” We all live with many things that we merely believe, all of which are so central to ones world view.
Even if we set aside all such types of beliefs, there still remains a broad terrain of human life in which faith and belief remain—even if we ignore all religious matters whatsoever. Imagine the scientist who’s work on brain neurons depends upon many discoveries made by many other people. Yes, if it were possible, it would be better for such a person to know all of the details that they accept merely at the word of other scientists. In all cases, seeing directly is more fulfilling than merely hearing about something.
However, is the scientist better off when he or she knows only what they have experienced directly. Although it is preferable that he or she knows such facts. However, it is impossible to investigate everything. Sometimes, one must extend one’s own vision with the vision of someone else. In a way, the person who thus “takes it on faith” gains a further vision.
Such faith always relies upon the credibility of the person who shares the experience, of course. For one person to believe on faith what another person says, it is presupposed that the other person is not a liar and actually could have experienced the matter in question. This means that even the “scientific believer” must take the risk of placing credibility in someone who has witnessed things that he or she has not seen. While this does not vindicate every kind of faith that people have had, it does provide a telling sign that faith, as such, is not always the refuge of the ignorant. Indeed, it is an important part of all of our lives, even the lives of scientists, who’s daring and investigative work is rarely criticized as being a refuge for ignorance!
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."
While this does not vindicate every kind of faith that people had
While this does not vindicate every kind of faith that people had had
While this does not vindicate every kind of faith that people could have
While this does not vindicate every kind of faith that people did have
NO CHANGE
While this does not vindicate every kind of faith that people could have
As written, the passage is talking about a general scenario. Thus, the sense of this fragment really is about the faith that any given person might (or could) have. It is not really discussing the historical fact of the actual faith that various people have had. Hence, you should change the mood of the verb to reflect the conditional nature of what is being discussed.
Example Question #1 : Pronoun Case Errors
In the last day of classes (1), everyone was distracted and unable to do their (2) work. Even the teacher, which normally (3) was attentive and cheery, seems (4) unable to focus. The final test took (5) way too long for everyone to complete, and many of students (6) had put down his head (7) on the desk. The sound of the heat blowing through the room was enough to put everyone (8) to sleep, and the teachers' (9) eyes began drooping despite hisself (10). After what seemed an eternity; (11) the bell had rung (12) and everyone, including the teacher, ran out of the room.
Choose from the following four options the answer that best corrects the underlined mistake preceding the question number. If there is no mistake or the original text is the best option, choose "NO CHANGE."
whom normally
who normally
NO CHANGE
who is normally
who normally
"Who" is the proper pronoun to use here since it refers to a person, and since the rest of the passage is in past tense, the use of "is" is incorrect.
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