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ACT English: Conventions of Standard English: Usage

5 min read•june 18, 2024

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Welcome! 🎉 Today we're going to dive into the topic of the Conventions of Standard English - Usage on the ACT English section. The "Usage" questions in the ACT English section assess your ability to apply the rules of standard English in sentence construction and word choice. It's all about using language correctly and effectively to convey your ideas with clarity and precision. Ready? Let's dive into the world of language nuances, explore the ins and outs of correct word usage, and gain the confidence to tackle any "Usage" question that comes your way on the ACT!

🤓 Conventions of Standard English: Usage Concepts to Know

🏃‍♂️ Adjectives, Adverbs, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs

Pronoun and subject-verb agreement are prevalent in this section.

Questions involving pronouns tend to focus on the relationship of the pronoun and what it is taking the place of. If you can explicitly tell the antecedent of a pronoun, then use the pronoun. Otherwise, use the noun instead of the pronoun.

Possessive pronouns don't have apostrophes, but pronoun contractions do.

Examples of possessive pronouns: your, their, its
Examples of pronoun contractions: you're, they're, it's

Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns. They typically answer questions such as "what" and "what kind?"

Examples of adjectives: happy, beautiful, tall

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, usually answering questions like "how," "when," "where," "why," or "to what extent?" to provide more details about the action or situation.

Examples of adverbs: very, a lot, quickly, softly, loudly

🪄 Modifiers

Comparative modifiers are used to compare one thing to another.

Usually the word is followed by "than." One-syllable words have "-er" added to the end.
- Examples of one-syllable modifications:
  - Fast becomes faster
  - Smooth becomes smoother
Add an adverb before certain two-syllable modifiers and before most of the longer modifiers
- Examples of two-syllable modifications
  - Generous becomes more generous.
  - Loud becomes more loud.
Irregular modifiers take the comparative form by becoming another word entirely
- Examples of irregular modifications:
  - Good and well become better
  - Bad and badly become worse.

Superlative modifiers are used to compare to one or many items. They are often followed by the word "of".

Add "–est" after most of the one-syllable modifiers and after certain two-syllable modifiers.
- Examples of one-syllable superlative modifications
  - Happy becomes happiest
  - Big becomes
Add an adverb before certain two-syllable modifiers and before most of the longer modifiers.
- Examples of two-word syllable superlative modifications
  - Generous becomes most generous
  - Loud becomes most loud
Irregular modifiers take the superlative form by becoming another word entirely.
- Example of irregular superlative modifications:
  - Good and well become best
  - Bad and badly become worst

✍️ Idioms

Idioms are present in two ways: prepositional idioms and idioms with gerunds & infinitives.

Preposition idioms test whether you are able to recognize if something "sounds right" by correcting prepositions in phrases.
- Examples of prepositional idioms:
  - outraged by, suspicious of, wonder about
Gerunds are verbs that act as nouns and end in "-ing." Infinitives are verbs used as nouns and are constructed by using the word "to" plus a verb.
- Examples of idioms with gerunds & infinitives:
  - as being, in graduating, to leave

📌 Tips for Success

Utilize, Don't Memorize

You must be able to justify and detect grammatical mistakes in the passage. However, if you only memorize the rules, you'll have trouble and start doubting yourself. Imagine yourself as an explorer, charting uncharted territories of expression 🌎. With every grammatical challenge you conquer, you're not just honing your skills – you're shaping a remarkable ability to communicate with finesse and impact.

Take it Slow

To say that these questions are tricky is an understatement. You must take it line by line and pay attention. One word can change the placement and purpose of a phrase or clause. While it may feel as though you are under an intense time crunch, rushing the process will only reduce your accuracy. Breathe! 🧘‍♀️

Stay Contextually Attuned

Language is not a rigid structure; it's a dynamic tool influenced by context. The same grammatical rule might have variations based on the situation. Consider the tone, intent, and audience of the text. This awareness will guide you toward more precise and effective choices.

✏️ Practice Questions

Ready to test your skills? Let's jump into some ACT-style practice questions! 💪 Remember, it's not just about picking the right answer but understanding why it's correct. So, take a deep breath, and let's dive in! 🚀

Practice Question 1

The committee members *FILL BLANK* already submitted their reports for review.

a) has b) have c) having d) is

Correct Answer: b) have. In this sentence, "committee members" is a plural subject, so the correct verb needs to be plural as well. "Have" is the plural form of the verb. The correct sentence would be: "The committee members have already submitted their reports for review." The strategy to approaching this question involves identifying the subject of the sentence, and then determining whether it is single or plural. Then we can match the verb form accordingly.

Practice Question 2

She plays the piano more skillful *FILL BLANK* her sister.

a) than b) as c) then d) too

Correct Answer: a) than. The sentence is comparing the skill level of the speaker and her sister. The correct comparative word is "than." The correct sentence would be: "She plays the piano more skillfully than her sister." To answer this question, we have to identify the comparison being made.

Practice Question 3

The movie was *FILL BLANK* reviewed by critics.

a) worse b) worst c) bad d) badly

Correct Answer: d) "badly." In this context, "badly" is an adverb describing how the movie was reviewed. Adverbs modify verbs. We need to distinguish between adjectives and adverbs, and select the correct form based on their role in the sentence.

Practice Question 4

The chef recommended to marinate the chicken at least for an hour before grilling.

A) to marinate the chicken at least for an hour before grilling it. B) marinating the chicken at least for an hour before grilling. C) for marinating the chicken at least for an hour before grilling. D) marinate the chicken at least for an hour before grill.

Correct Answer: B) marinating the chicken at least for an hour before grilling. Use the gerund form "marinating" to describe the action that is recommended. Be aware of verb forms after certain verbs, like "recommend," where gerunds are more appropriate than infinitives.

🎁 Wrapping Up Conventions of Standard English: Usage

You have now made it through the Usage study guide for the ACT English section, woohoo 🎉! Armed with a comprehensive understanding of language nuances, word choice, and grammatical rules, you're now well-prepared to confidently tackle any usage question that comes your way. Remember, it's not just about rote memorization, but about developing the ability to critically assess and apply these rules in context. Now, armed with your newfound knowledge and skills, it's time to put them into practice. Best of luck on your ACT English section adventure! 🚀

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