ACT English Cheat Sheet

clause

subject + conjugated verb (ex: Jack eats.)

phrase

omits subject OR conjugated verb OR both (ex: in the evening…)

nonessential clause/phrase

removal does not corrupt or destroy the meaning of the sentence

independent clause

simple sentence; clause and complete thought; able to have period after it

dependent clause

clause AND incomplete thought; cannot place period after it

Two types of dependent clauses

type 1: introduced by subordinating conjunction (ex: although, because, while)

type 2: introduced by relative pronoun (ex: that. which, who, whose)

That vs. Which

that needs commas (essential phrase), which does not (nonessential phrase)

Simple sentence

contains 1 independent clause and 0 dependent clauses

compound sentence

contains 2 or more independent clauses, and 0 dependent clauses; is joined by comma + coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

Complex sentence

contains 1 independent clause, 1 or more dependent clauses

Introductory dependent clause needs a…

comma

non-introductory + nonessential dependent clause needs…

comma(s). (ex: My friend Amanda, who studied at Yale, visits today.)

An essential dependent clause needs…

no commas (ex: The car that I bought in 2000 still runs.

4 types of incorrect Sentence Structure

Run on sentences, Comma splices, missing commas, sentence fragments

5 types of correct sentence structure

period, semicolon, comma + FANBOYS, dependent clause, participial phrase

participle

verb form usually ending in -ing (present), -ed, or -d (past)

participial phrase

participle + modifiers (adj/adv); Serves as an adjective

introductory phrase needs…

comma (ex: Going to the store, Stella bought a pack of hum.

Non-introductory + nonessential phrase needs…

comma(s). (ex: Dina jumped in the air, excited by the good news.)

Essential phrase needs…

no comma(s). (ex: All students scoring at least 90 will get an A.)

Appositive

noun (phrase)/pronoun describing the neighboring noun

Appositive phrase

appositive + modifiers (adj/adv) (ex: A thin man, Tom Ford steps into the light)

preposition

word(s) connecting nouns, pronouns and phrases

prepositional phrase

preposition + modifiers + noun/pronoun

Introductory prepositional phrase needs…

an end comma (ex: In the cupboard under the stairs, Harry slept.)

Non introductory prepositional phrases need…

no comma(s) (ex: Harry slept in the cupboard under the stairs.)

Using the verb “to walk,” conjugate it in the past tense

He walked

Using the verb “to walk,” conjugate it in the present tense

He walks

Using the verb “to walk,” conjugate it in the future tense

He will walk

Using the verb “to walk,” conjugate it in the past perfect tense

He had walked

Using the verb “to walk,” conjugate it in the present perfect tense

He has walked

Using the verb “to walk,” conjugate it in the future perfect tense

He will have walked

Using the verb “to walk,” conjugate it in the past progressive tense

He was walking.

Using the verb “to walk,” conjugate it in the present progressive tense

He is walking

Using the verb “to walk,” conjugate it in the future progressive tense

He will be walking

Subject and conjugated verb must agree in…

number

What should you do to find the subject in a subject-verb agreement?

remove the intervening clause/phrase

antecedent

word(s) referred to by pronoun

The pronoun and antecedent must agree in…

number and gender

who, whom, whose