ACT English Extra Rules

Dashes

• Can be used like a dramatic colon

  • complete sentence—-a restatement or elaboration

  • Ex: The final scene is unforgettable--it leaves the audience speechless and reflective.

• However, if it’s an elaboration use a colon when possible

• Colons can also be used for sudden shifts in thought or tone

  • used in this way, it can include a conjunction if both sides are complete independent clauses (to make one dependent)

  • however, conjunctions can only be used for emphasis/contrast, not explanation/elaboration

  • ExL He trained for months—but the marathon was canceled

Transition Words

• Used to clarify how ideas relate, not used to fix run-ons

  • Connect two independent clauses when (;however,)

  • Comma after transition word (Therefore,)

    • Signals relationship with previous sentence

  • Transition used mid-sentence (The movie, however, was too long.)

    • Still signals relationship with previous sentence (imagine it was at the front.

  • Don’t use 

    • transition words that mean the same thing in a sentence

    • Transition words to fix run-ons (ex: ,however)

Subordinating Conjunctions

• Only words that make a sentence incomplete/dependent (usually cause & effect)

• SWAB

  • Since, While, Although, Because

Relative pronouns

• Introduce dependent clauses that give more information about a noun

  • Who: Subject

    • The girl who called you is here.

  • Whom: Object (rarely used)

    • The friend whom you invited is late.

      • Friend is an object, whom replaces friend

  • Whose: Possession

    • The artist whose work we saw is famous.

  • That: People/things (essential info only: no commas)

    • The book that I borrowed is on the table.

  • Which: Things/ideas (nonessential info: needs commas)

    • The car, which was red, sped by