What are Idioms | English for ACT PDF Download

Understanding Idioms

• Idioms are unique phrases or expressions that do not follow standard grammatical rules.
• Unlike straightforward language, idioms often carry meanings beyond their literal interpretations.
• For example, familiar idioms like "actions speak louder than words" or "barking up the wrong tree" convey figurative meanings.
• It's important to note that the ACT exam focuses on a different category of idioms, not the common colloquial expressions.

Characteristics of Idioms

• Idioms defy conventional grammatical rules.
• They are distinctive and do not adhere to standard linguistic structures.

How Idioms Are Tested on the ACT English Section

• Idioms tested on the ACT include prepositional idioms and idioms with gerunds/infinitives.

Prepositional Idioms

• Prepositional idioms require understanding the correct prepositions to use in a sentence based on context.
• Example: Using "wonder about" instead of "wonder on" or "suspicious of" instead of "suspicious by."
• No strict rule dictates preposition usage; familiarity with phrases or intuition is key.
• Example sentence: "After Corey decided not to repay the loan, everyone was outraged at his behavior."
• Idiom error example: "Outraged for" corrected to "outraged by" in the sentence.
• Understanding Idioms:
  • Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the words used.
  • It's crucial to be familiar with commonly used idiomatic expressions to identify and use them correctly.
• Idioms with Gerunds or Infinitives:
  • Gerunds act as verbs functioning as nouns, ending in "-ing" (e.g., skipping, talking, performing).
  • Infinitives serve as verbs used as nouns, formed with "to" plus a verb (e.g., to do, to analyze, to explain).
  • Understanding idioms with gerunds or infinitives is essential to use the correct prepositions and forms.
• Examples of Idioms with Gerunds or Infinitives:
  • Correct: "capable of being," Incorrect: "capable to be."
  • Correct: "regarded as being," Incorrect: "regarded to being."
  • Choosing between gerunds and infinitives in idiomatic expressions depends on the context.
  • Example: "I neglected doing my homework" (using gerund 'doing').

Correct Usage of Idioms

• Infinitive Usage in Sentences
  • Example 1: It is acceptable to use infinitives in sentences, such as "I neglected to do my homework."
  • Example 2: Incorrect usage of an idiom: "Shelby will succeed in to graduate from college." Corrected: "Shelby will succeed in graduating from college."
• Idiom Errors and Corrections
  • Example 1: Identifying and correcting idiom error in a sentence: "Gina decides leaving the group when we go out." Correction: "Gina decides to leave the group when we go out."
• Idiom Questions from Real ACTs
  • Example 1: Providing actual idiom questions from real ACTs for practice and learning.

Why Idiom Questions Pose Difficulty or Ease

• Challenges in Idiom Questions:
  • Idiom queries present a challenge because while other grammar questions adhere to specific rules or patterns applicable universally, idioms require a grasp of particular idiomatic expressions.
  • Considering the vast number of idioms, memorizing each one is impractical.
  • ESL learners may find it harder to detect idiom errors due to the gradual accumulation of idiom knowledge over time.
• Reasons for Ease:
  • Idiom questions stand out as they are the only ones where relying solely on what "sounds right" is often the key to the correct answer.
  • Unlike other grammar aspects, these questions do not necessitate the application of rules; familiarity with the idioms featured in the ACT English section enables easy identification of errors.

Key Tips for Solving Idiom Questions in ACT English

Idioms play a crucial role in the English language, especially when it comes to standardized tests like the ACT. Here are some essential tips to help you tackle idiom questions effectively:

• If a preposition, gerund, or infinitive is underlined, pay attention to possible idiom errors.

  Understanding common idiomatic expressions related to prepositions, gerunds, and infinitives is vital for answering such questions correctly. For example:

  "She insisted on going to the party." - Here, 'insisted on' is an example of a prepositional idiom.

• Be cautious if all answer choices consist of prepositions; the question might be testing idiomatic usage.

  When all answer options are prepositions, it's a strong indicator that the question is assessing your knowledge of idiomatic expressions.

• Maintain a list of idioms encountered during practice tests.

  Keeping a record of idiomatic phrases you come across in practice can help you familiarize yourself with common idiom patterns.

• Review and acquaint yourself with a curated list of idioms.

  Regularly reviewing a comprehensive list of idioms, especially those commonly found in ACT questions, can enhance your understanding and recognition of idiomatic structures.

List of Common ACT Idioms

While the English language boasts a plethora of idiomatic expressions, ACT idiom questions typically revolve around prepositional idioms and those involving gerunds or infinitives. Here are some prevalent prepositional idioms and gerund/infinitive idioms to aid your preparation:

• Prepositional Idioms or Idioms with Gerunds/Infinitives:

  It's impractical to memorize every single idiom listed here, as the ACT usually features only a few idiom-related questions. Spending excessive time trying to learn hundreds of idioms wouldn't be the most efficient study strategy.

• Strategic Approach:

  Instead of rote memorization, it's advisable to periodically review this list to enhance your familiarity with these idiomatic phrases. Developing a keen sense of proper idiom usage can significantly boost your ability to identify and rectify idiom errors in ACT questions.

Common Idioms

• Come to a conclusion - Reach a decision after considering all the facts.
• Come to a halt - Stop moving or progressing.
• Come to an end - Reach a conclusion or finish.
• Earned a living from/by doing - Made a living through a particular job or activity.
• In the dusk - During the evening before it gets dark.
• Modeled on - Created to be similar to something else.
• Principles of - Fundamental beliefs or rules guiding behavior or thought.
• Such as - For example.

Prepositional Idioms

• About
  • Anxious about - Feeling worried or nervous about something.
  • Ask about - Inquire regarding a particular topic.
  • Bring about - Cause something to happen.
  • Curious about - Eager to know or learn about something.
  • Hear about - Receive information concerning something.
  • Think about - Contemplate or consider something.
  • Talk about - Discuss a topic verbally.
  • Worry about - Feel anxious or concerned about something.
• Against
  • Advise against - Counsel someone not to do something.
  • Argue against - Present reasons opposing something.
  • Count against - Be a disadvantage or negative point.
  • Decide against - Choose not to do something after considering options.
  • Defend against - Protect oneself from a threat or criticism.