Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable? F. earned their living by G. made their living from H. made their living on J. earned their living

Understanding grammar and usage is fundamental for mastering the ACT English section. It involves recognizing and applying standard English conventions to written text. When looking at an alternative like 'earned their living by,' it is important to consider verb tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, and prepositional use.

For example, the preposition 'by' typically indicates the method or means by which something is done, making 'earned their living by' a grammatically correct phrase. Similarly, 'made their living from' involves correct usage with the preposition 'from' indicating the source of income. It is essential to ensure that the chosen preposition aligns with the verb to maintain correct grammatical structure.

Errors in grammar and usage can alter the meaning of a sentence or make it difficult to understand. In the context of the ACT, students must be able to identify grammatical correctness swiftly to choose the best alternative and enhance the clarity of the text.

The sentence structure category in the ACT English section tests a student's ability to organize words, phrases, and clauses to create well-formed sentences. When evaluating options like 'made their living on,' one must consider how each word fits into the larger sentence's structure.

Ideally, sentence structures should flow logically and coherently. A change in structure can disrupt the readability and flow of a sentence. So, if 'on' is not the correct preposition to use with 'made their living,' it could create an awkward or incorrect sentence structure. Attention to how phrases fit together is crucial for ensuring that sentences convey the intended meaning without ambiguity.

Students are encouraged to read sentences aloud to test for natural flow and to check if the sentence still conveys the same meaning with different prepositional phrases, ensuring a correct assessment of sentence structure.

Contextual understanding on the ACT English section refers to the ability to comprehend the overall meaning of a passage and how a particular sentence fits within that context. In determining whether 'earned their living' is an acceptable phrase, it is necessary to understand the surrounding sentences and the passage's theme.

The context in which the phrase is used impacts the choice of words. A phrase that may be grammatically correct and structurally sound can still be inappropriate if it does not fit with the passage's topic or the author's tone. For instance, the choice between 'earned' and 'made' could depend on the formality of the context or the nuance each verb carries.

Students must read the whole passage before answering questions that require contextual understanding, as this helps to ensure their choices maintain the coherence and style of the original text.