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ACT English 4.5 Sentence Structure 255 Views


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Description:

ACT English: Sentence Structure Drill 4, Problem 5. What is the best way to format this list?

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:04

Here's your Shmoop du jour, brought to you by the dictionary.

00:07

The very definition of...well, we'd have to look it up.

00:11

How should you change the underlined portion below, if at all?

00:14

The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct

00:19

spellings, and look up irregular verbs.

00:27

This question is trying to trick us, but we weren't born yesterday.

00:30

It wants to fool us by using the word "correct," which can be used both as a verb and an adjective.

00:36

For example, we might say: "It can cause awkward situations when my iPhone incorrectly corrects

00:42

my texts."

00:43

On the other hand, an example of "correct" being used as an adjective might be: "I sent

00:47

her the correct spelling, so I don't know why she's still freaking out."

00:51

See how "correct" there was an adjective to modify "spelling?"

00:54

Our sample sentence presents us with a list of items that kinda look like they start with verbs.

00:59

"Find" and "look" are both verbs and "correct" can be a verb as well, but wait a minute...

01:04

"Pronunciations" is a noun. Since it's not underlined, we know the ACT won't let us change it.

01:09

The laws of parallel construction tell us that everything in this list needs to match.

01:12

So if "pronunciations" is a noun, then every other item on the list needs to be, too.

01:18

What can we say? Parallel construction loves conformity.

01:21

Now that we've established that the original sentence is irreparably flawed, we can go

01:25

ahead and cross out choice (A).

01:26

We're now sure that "correct" is probably intended as an adjective, describing the noun

01:31

"spellings," and that the verb "look" doesn't belong at all.

01:34

We can also quickly eliminate (B) and (D) because both present us with a variation of

01:38

"looking up" verbs, which makes the last item an action, not a noun.

01:42

Man, these options are dropping like flies.

01:44

We're now left with choice (C), which steers clear of verbs and only gives us nouns.

01:49

Looks like right now is the perfect time to buy some property in Noun Town.

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