The ACT Exam includes an English section with a total of 75 multiple choice questions to be answered in a timeframe of 45 minutes. Each question is related to a sentence or portion in the passages. These questions are designed to check your understanding of basic grammar rules, comprehension, and word choice knowledge.
In fact, questions that ask you to solve word choice errors are seen quite commonly across the test and can be a quick and easy way to score marks. In this article, we’ll look through some word choice error examples in ACT English and learn how to correct them by understanding what rules apply.
What Are Word Choice Errors?
Word choice errors are exactly what they sound like — the wrong usage of a word or words in a sentence. It could be erroneous because it doesn’t fit the context of the sentence, doesn’t follow standard grammar rules (like apostrophe usage, possessive nouns, word conjugation, and subject-verb agreement), and so on. You will be required to pinpoint word choice errors and select an answer choice that could replace and improve the underlined word.
Let’s take a look at some examples of common word choice errors in ACT
Errors With Grammar Rules
The first error type to review concerns your knowledge of grammar rules.
Here are some common errors to take note of:
“Have” vs. “of”
Example: She wished she could of traveled more while living abroad.
Choose the best answer.
a. NO CHANGE
b. could have
c. could
d. did
Of is not a helping verb. If you come across an underlined text that says “could of,” “would of,” or “should of,” then a correction is necessary. These phrases should say “could have,” “would have,” or “should have.” The grammar rule to know for these phrases is that “of” is not a helping verb. If “of” is being used as a helping verb, then a correction is necessary.
Here is what the improved sentence looks like:
She wished she could have traveled more while living abroad.
“Than” vs. “then”
Example: He plans to write the ACT Exam, than write the SATs as well.
Choose the best answer.
a. NO CHANGE
b. then
c. also
d. OMIT the underlined portion.
“Than” is used to introduce a comparison. It is also used to introduce an exception.
“Then” is used to talk about time. If “than” is used to talk about time, then you will need to make a correction as well. It is a simple rule, but missing it will completely change the logic of the sentence. Similarly, “then” is being used to compare two things or introduce an exception or contrast, a change is necessary.
Here is what the improved sentence looks like:
He plans to write the ACT Exam, then give the SATs as well.
Apostrophes and Possessives
Example: The jury has been in deliberation for three days, but its expected to announce a decision in the next hour.
Choose the best answer.
a. NO CHANGE
b. it’s
c. its’
d. one’s
The underlined text “its” translates to the possessive form of “it.” Using “it” in the possessive, impacts the logic of the sentence. A change is necessary, so answer A can be eliminated. Looking at answer B, we see that an improvement can be made by replacing “its” with “it’s.” “It’s” is a contraction of “it is.”
Replacing the underlined text with “it is” improves the logic of the sentence. Answer B is a great option. Answer C does not make sense, as “its’” is not a word. Answer D replaces “its” with “one’s.” “One’s” operates as either a possessive of “one” or a contraction of “one is,” and neither option functions well for the subject of the sentence.
Here is what the improved sentence looks like: The jury has been in deliberation for three days, but it’s expected to announce a decision in the next hour.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Example: Her laugh are contagious, and soon after, everyone was giggling.
Choose the best answer.
a. NO CHANGE
b. is
c. were
d. seem
The underlined verb “are” does not make sense when referring to the noun “laugh.” “Are” refers to a plural noun. A change is necessary, so answer A can be eliminated. Answer C offers the past tense verb “were,” which also does not make sense in reference to the singular noun “laugh.” Answer B offers the singular verb “is.”
A plural subject must agree with a plural verb, and a singular subject must agree with a singular verb. B is correct.
Here is what the improved sentence looks like: Her laugh is contagious, and soon after, everyone was giggling.
Errors With Definitions
You will have to improve word choice for the logic of the sentence and the strength of the writing. If one word is underlined, be sure that its definition is logical to the meaning of the sentence.
You may need to evaluate surrounding sentences to ensure that you fully understand the context in question. This error requires an understanding of basic definitions that vary based on context. Some word choice errors occur when the underlined word does not match the tone of the passage or inserts an improper connotation for what the passage conveys.
Example: The roses’ putrid scent filled the home, bringing back happy memories of walks through her grandmother’s garden.
a. NO CHANGE
b. petulant
c. perfumed
d. punctual
It is essential to look at the context when answering this question. While “putrid” may accurately describe a scent, the word’s negative connotation impacts the flow and meaning of the sentence about a happy memory. Answer A can be eliminated based on this information. Answer B offers the word “petulant,” which is not often used to describe a scent and doesn’t make sense for the sentence.
Answer C offers “perfumed,” which makes sense for the meaning of the sentence and the tone of the writing. Answer D offers “punctual,” but “punctual” is not a scent.. Answer C is the correct choice.
Here is what the improved sentence looks like:
The roses’ perfumed scent filled the home, bringing back happy memories of walks through her grandmother’s garden.
To succeed with these questions, you don’t need to study the dictionary, but it is a good idea to review sample questions to practice making edits and eliminating options from the answer choices. In some cases, you will find more than one answer that could work. If you are stuck between two choices, go back into the text and look for context clues that can help narrow down your options.
You can practice finding and improving common word choice errors in ACT through UWorld’s ACT Prep Course. The prep course offers over 2,100 sample questions to practice your skills and gain experience for test day. They include word choice error examples in ACT English.
In addition, the prep course offers valuable question explanations to offer a detailed understanding of the concepts and skills assessed throughout the test. Try UWorld’s ACT Prep Course to maximize your performance on the ACT exam!