ACT English : Other Adjective and Adverb Errors
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Example Question #153 :Other Usage Errors
Today, most Americans are familiar with the idea of purchasing music and movies online. While a number of these users continue to download these media files illegally, the overall public consciencehad changedregarding this matter. Early in the history of digital media,mostwere far less certain about the legality and illegality of downloading such files. Today, matters are quite different,not only because of several important lawsuits but, indeed, because of the overall growth ofrelative inexpensive meansof purchasing such digital content. This change of consciencehas been accompanied by a simultaneously changein culture regarding online file-sharing. In the early days of illegal file-sharing, users would regularly host servers that wereovertly and publically visibleto users and potential enforcement personnel. Today, however, people utilize a number of carefully planned modes of obfuscation.Using encryption, indirection, and other means the contemporary illegal file-sharershows clearawareness of the fact that their activity is illegal.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
relatively inexpensively means
relative and inexpensive means
NO CHANGE
relatively inexpensive means
relative inexpensively means
relatively inexpensive means
The key to this question is to note what each word is modifying. The word "inexpensive" is an adjective modifying the noun "means." There is no problem with its form. However, the word "relative"isproblematic. It is being used here as an adverb, but the form of the word is adjectival. It needs to have the characteristic "-ly" ending that most adverbs have. Thus, the proper form is "relatively."
Example Question #154 :Other Usage Errors
Today, most Americans are familiar with the idea of purchasing music and movies online. While a number of these users continue to download these media files illegally, the overall public consciencehad changedregarding this matter. Early in the history of digital media,mostwere far less certain about the legality and illegality of downloading such files. Today, matters are quite different,not only because of several important lawsuits but, indeed, because of the overall growth of relative inexpensive means of purchasing such digital content. This change of consciencehas been accompanied by a simultaneously changein culture regarding online file-sharing. In the early days of illegal file-sharing, users would regularly host servers that wereovertly and publically visibleto users and potential enforcement personnel. Today, however, people utilize a number of carefully planned modes of obfuscation.Using encryption, indirection, and other means the contemporary illegal file-sharershows clearawareness of the fact that their activity is illegal.
What is the best form of the bolded selection, “has been accompanied by a simultaneously change”?
NO CHANGE
has been accompanied by a simultaneous change
had been accompanied by a simultaneously change
has been accompanying by a simultaneous change
has been accompanied by a simultaneous change
The mistake in the sentence as it is written is the use of the adverb "simultaneously" where the adjective "simultaneous" is needed. The word is modifying "change," which is a noun.
Example Question #445 :Correcting 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Intelligence is a trait that is actually quite difficult to measure,despite much different attempts to do so.
despite much different attempts to do it.
despite much different attempting to do so.
despite many different attempts to do so.
despite much different attempts to do so.
despite the much different attempts to do so.
despite many different attempts to do so.
The use of "much" in the sentence is incorrect, as "much" indicates a great amount, but not a large count, and should be used for singular nouns. The correct choice should have the word "many" instead of "much." The only answer choice that makes this chnage is "despite many different attempts to do so."
Example Question #446 :Correcting 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Highway construction involves a great deal of planning,as it can be quite unpredictably.
as it can be very unpredictably.
as it can be quite unpredictably.
as it can be quite unpredictable.
if it can be quite unpredictable.
if it can be quite unpredictably.
as it can be quite unpredictable.
使用副词“不可预知”是不正确的in the sentence, as it describes a noun and should be an adjective. Otherwise, the sentence is absolutely correct; therefore, the best answer choice is "as it can be unpredictable."
Example Question #447 :Correcting Usage Errors
Just as animals run when frightened, humans oftenhave a strongly desireto flee when panicked.
have a strong desire
have a strongly desire
had a strong desire
had strongly desires
have strong desire
have a strong desire
The underlined portion of the sentence problematically contains a misused adverb, "strongly." This needs to be turned into an adjective to appropriately describe "desire." "Have a strong desire" is the only answer choice that does this and is fully gramatically correct.
Example Question #448 :Correcting Usage Errors
Under normal circumstances, the family would have never driven upto the frighteningly looking motel.
to a frighteningly looking motel.
to the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frighteningly looked motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
for the frighteningly looking motel.
to the frightening looking motel.
The use of the word "frighteningly" is absolutely incorrect, as it is an adverb being used to describe a gerund, or a verb that takes the form of a noun, in "looking." Gerunds need to be modified with an adjective. Therefore, "to the frightening looking motel" is the correct answer.
Example Question #449 :Correcting 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.
Few people will ever remembertoo many detailfrom their early childhood.
too many detail
too much details
many detail
too much detail
much details
too much detail
The two words "many" and "much" mean the same thing, "a lot of," but are used in two distinct ways. "Many" is used exclusively with counting nouns, while "much" is used with noncounting nouns; therefore, when used with "detail," "much" is correct, while "many" would be correct with "details."
Example Question #450 :Correcting 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.
Until you completely comprehend the message of the author’s first novel,you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.
only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel.
you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
否则you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.
you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.
The answer choice "otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect because it leaves the sentence with no independent clause.
In the answer choice "you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel," "equal" is an adjective, but you must choose an adverb that modifies the adjective “poignant." "Equally" is the correct form, so this answer choice is incorrect.
The answer choice "only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel," is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect. You must pick an independent clause.
In the answer choice "you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel,"the past tense form of “did appreciate” does not agree with the insubordinate clause, which indicates that something will happen in the future (after you comprehend the message). The appropriate choice should indicate somethign that occurrs in the future, so this answer choice is incorrect.
The answer choice "you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is a future-tense independent clause with the appropriate adverb form of "equally." It is correct!
Example Question #1 :Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.
Certain scientific theories were actually developedby two researchers simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneous.
of two researchers simultaneously.
by two researchers in simultaneous.
by two researchers simultaneously.
The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #2 :Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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 was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He were a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make one laugh.
He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
He was a horribly comedian, and can't make anyone laugh.
He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.
The use of the adverb "horribly" is wrong, as the word modifies a noun, "comedian," and should actually be an adjective. This problem can be corrected by shifting "horribly" to its adjectival form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "He was a horrible comedian, with no ability to make anybody laugh."
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