ACT English Rules

Stop Punctuation

Semicolons (;), periods (.), exclamation points (!), question marks (?), and commas with FANBOYS (, +FANBOYS).

Put between two independent clauses

dependent clause

A phrase that can't stand alone as a complete sentence.

Semicolons

Combine two independent clauses (complete thoughts)

Colons

Come before lists, explanations, or elaborations.

They can only be used after an independent clause.

Apostrophes

Show ownership or possession. Before the s for singular. After the s for plural.

When to use commas

0. When in doubt, leave them out. Default to using no commas except for the following reasons:

1. Use a comma with a FANBOYS between two independent clauses.

2. Use a comma between an independent clause and dependent clause, like after an introductory idea.

3. Use a comma between items in a list that are not separated with a conjunction.

4. Use a comma before and after unnecessary information.

FANBOYS

For And Nor But Or Yet So

AAAWWWUUBBIS

Although As After Where While Whenever Until Unless Before Because If So

These words introduce dependent clauses.

Who

Subject. Can be replaced with "I/He/She"

Whom

Object. Can be replaced with "Me/Him/Her"

Adjectives

Describe nouns. For example: beautiful, quick.

Its

Belong to it = posession

It's

It is

Its'

Not a word. Cross off.

They're

They are

There

location or place

Their

Belonging to them

Than

Compared to

Then

Next, at a time.

Could of, would of, should of

Should be "could've, would've, and should've" These aren't things, cross them off.

The Dash

The dash can be used - like a comma - to set off unnecessary information.

The dash can also be used like a colon: introducing a list, explanation, or elaboration after a complete idea.

Independent Clause

A phrase that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. Has both a subject and a verb.

Subject Verb Agreement

Singular subject = verb+s. Example: He plays football.

Plural subject = verb. Example: They play football.

Collective Nouns

These are words that describe a group of people who are acting as one unit. Even though it's a group, they get the singular form of a verb.

Words in this category: family, class, team, each, audience, everyone, everything, jury, flock, etc.

Ex: The family IS eating.

Simple Past Tense

Verb tense that shows completed action. Use only the past tense form of the verb.

I ate.

Generally ad "ed" to the verb:

I heard.

They played.

He ran.

Some words are irregular like "buy" becomes "bought," "come" becomes "came," and "grow" becomes "grew."

Simple Present Tense

Talking about things that are ongoing and/or considered facts.

I eat pizza everyday.

Present Perfect Tense

This describes actions that began in the past but are continuing into the present.

I have eaten.

have/has + past participle

past perfect tense

When describing two actions that happened in the past, the past perfect is used for the action that came first.

I had eaten by the time the movie started.

had + past participle

Simple Future Tense

this tense shows that the action will happen some time in the future.

I will eat.

will + verb

Future Perfect

Verb tense used for actions that will be completed before some other point in the future.

I will have eaten by the time we go to the movies.

will have + past participle

present continuous tense

Describes something that is currently happening.

I am eating.

Subject + am/is/are + Verb(+ing)

future continuous tense

is used to express action at a particular moment in the future. However, the action will not have finished at the moment.

I will be eating when you get there.

Subject + will/shall + be + Verb(+ing )

Past Continuous Tense

The action was ongoing till a certain time in the past.

I was eating until you stopped me.

Subject + was/were + Verb(+ing)

Who's

Who is

Whose

possessive form of who

This means who owns this?

Transition Categories

Ways that ideas are connected. Generally it's one of these:

1. Time

2. Cause & Effect

3. Contrast

4. Examples/Clarification

5. Intensification

6. Addition

Time Transition Words

Meanwhile, Occasionally, First, Second, Finally, Next

Cause and Effect Transition Words

So, Because, Therefore, Thus, Since

Contrast Transition Words

However, nevertheless, though, on the other hand, otherwise, instead, despite

Example and Clarification Transition Words

For example, for instance

Intensification Transition Words

Indeed, infact

Addition Transition Words

Additionally, Again, Also, and