ACT · English · Knowledge of Language

Knowledge of Language on the ACT: How to Answer These Questions

Whether you can choose precise, concise wording that fits the passage’s style.

How to answer it

  1. Read the underlined part and spot any repeated meaning.
  2. Cut words that say the same thing twice.
  3. Pick the clearest choice that keeps the meaning.

Worked example

An original question in the ACT format, already answered.

ACT EnglishWorked example

The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. in the evening and ran late.

Which choice is best?

  1. ANO CHANGE
  2. B7:00 p.m.
  3. C7:00 in the p.m. evening
  4. Dseven o’clock p.m. in the evening

Answer: B. “P.m.” already means evening, so “in the evening” repeats it. B says the same thing without the repetition.

The most common trap

Keeping extra words because they sound formal. Repetition is an error on the ACT.

Practice it

Hourly Prep’s daily sets mix knowledge of language with the rest of ACT English, and send more of it your way when it’s a weak spot. See how the ACT prep plan works, or browse the other ACT skill guides.

Primary sources

Keep going

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Grammar, usage and punctuation: agreement, verb forms, pronouns, sentence boundaries and commas.

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