AccelePrep for the ACT Test 2nd Edition Student Text

36 • S URGE TO S UCCESS ! E NGLISH T EST P REP

DICTION

Diction is an important component of proper usage; it involves choosing the appropriate word in order to convey the desired meaning. Standard English contains numerous idioms and two-word verbs that are perfectly acceptable to use. There are several things to check when looking for errors in diction. In standard written English, only certain prepositions can be used with certain verbs. Daily practice reading and writing helps you learn idiomatic prepositional usage. WRONG PREPOSITION

The gerund is the “-ing” form of a verb, and it is used as a noun. The ‹ϐ‹‹–‹˜‡ ‹• –Š‡ Dz–‘dz ˆ‘” ‘ˆ ƒ ˜‡”„Ǥ – ‹• ƒŽ•‘ —•‡† ƒ• ƒ ‘—Ǥ  •‘‡ …‹”…—•–ƒ…‡•ǡ ›‘—…ƒ —•‡ ‡‹–Š‡” –Š‡ ‰‡”—† ‘” –Š‡ ‹ϐ‹‹–‹˜‡Ǥ Adding an extra room to the house is the next project. 9 To add an extra room to the house is the next project. 9 ‘™‡˜‡”ǡ ‹ •‘‡…‹”…—•–ƒ…‡•ǡ –Š‡ ‰‡”—† ƒ† –Š‡ ‹ϐ‹‹–‹˜‡ ƒ”‡ interchangeable. The difference is not a matter of grammar because both –Š‡ ‹ϐ‹‹–‹˜‡ ƒ† –Š‡ ‰‡”—† ƒ”‡ —•‡† ƒ• ‘—•Ǥ •–‡ƒ†ǡ –Š‡ †‹ˆˆ‡”‡…‡ ‹• ƒ ƒ––‡” ‘ˆ ™Šƒ– ϐŽ—‡– ‰Ž‹•Š •’‡ƒ‡”• ™‘—Ž† ”‡‰ƒ”† ƒ• ‹†‹‘ƒ–‹…Ǥ 9. In contrast of the prevailing opinion, the editorial lays the blame for the strike on the workers and their representatives. A. NO CHANGE B. In contrast about C. In contrast to D. In contrast with The second category of diction errors involves word choice. Sometimes, words whose meanings are very similar are used incorrectly and lead to constructions that are non-idiomatic or are not acceptable standard written English. Some sentences are incorrect because they include words that fail to convey the author’s intended meaning. 10. The raise in the number of accidents attributable to drunk drivers has prompted a call for stiffer penalties for driving while intoxicated. F. NO CHANGE G. raising H. rise J. rising Example: Example:

POWER TIP Checklist for diction errors: 1. Wrong preposition 2. Wrong word choice 3. ‡”—† ˜‡”•—• ‹ϐ‹‹–‹˜‡

WRONG WORD CHOICE

POWER TIP Make sure you know the difference between these frequently confused words: • accept/except • fair/fare • here/hear • its/it’s • site/sight/cite • their/there/they’re • then/than • your/you’re

GERUND VERSUS INFINITIVE

Examples: