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ACT English: Punctuation Drill 1, Problem 3. Is that comma being used correctly?
ACT English: Punctuation Drill 2, Problem 3. Where does the semicolon fit best?
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ACT English 1.4 Style 253 Views
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Description:
ACT English: Style Drill 1, Problem 4. Which choice best matches the formality of the sentence?
Transcript
- 00:03
Here's your Shmoop du jour, brought to you by tiny athletes.
- 00:08
How would you correct the underlined portion below, if at all?
- 00:12
Despite the obstacle of his slight build, Jack knew that it was only a matter of time
- 00:16
before he would be able to play against the big boys.
- 00:26
The tone of this sentence is kind of in between formal and informal.
Full Transcript
- 00:29
While "play against the big boys" may sound like a phrase an ESPN host might use,
- 00:34
it's not formal enough to match "despite the obstacle of his slight build."
- 00:39
Therefore, we know that we can nix choice (A) right off the bat.
- 00:43
Choice (C) has the opposite problem of (A). The phrase "play against the renowned professionals"
- 00:48
is too elevated for this sentence.
- 00:49
So it looks like we're going to have to take (C) out of the game.
- 00:53
Now we're down to (B) and (D), which both meet our needs in terms of tone.
- 00:57
However, we can call a foul on (D) because it leaves out essential information.
- 01:02
The whole point of the sentence is that one day this guy will be a professional, despite
- 01:05
his current size.
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