ACT ENGLISH

A LOT OF RULES FOR THE ENGLISH SECTION

Introductory phrase = Comma

Use a comma when it separates introductory words from rest of sentence

Ex. After seven weeks of studying, I raised my ACT score by five point

BTW (by the way) Phrases = comma hug

Use commas to set off words or phrases that are nonessential to the integrity of the sentence...oh, by the way

FANBOYS

For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Independent, (FANBOYS) Independant

Use comma when it separates 2 independent clauses and you see either for, and nor, but, yet, so.

Ex. I'm thinking of going to Georgetown, but I enjoyed visiting U of A.

Independent (FANBOYS) Dependent

= No Comma used

Ex. Mike was the only person on the scene and tried to help the injured passenger.

Lists or series and commas

= Comma

How could you dump me, tell Julie you love her, go to prom with her, and then now tell me you love me?

"and" between adjectives

= Comma

Ex:She had an expensive (and) pretty (and) revealing yellow poka-dot bikini.

she had an expensive, pretty, revealing, yellow poka-dot bikini.

-ing phrase at the end of a sentence

=Comma

ex: Barbara did well, considering she did not study at all

Independent ; Independant

Use a semicolon when it seperates two independant clauses and you DO NOT SEE FANBOYS

Ex. I'm thinking of going to Georgetown; D.C. is an ideal place for me.

Independent ; however , Independent

Use a semicolon and comma when you see... thus,furthermore,however,moreover,therefore,nevertheless BETWEEN TWO independent clauses.

Ex. I like pick up trucks; however, they are not practical in NY.

singular pronouns

each, everyone, every one, anyone, anybody, someone, either, neither

singular words

dollar, years, decades, civics, news, measles, mathematics, group, team, committee, class, family

comma splice

two independent clauses spliced together using a comma, A sentence error. Incorrectly joining two sentences together with a comma. She ran to the store, she purchased eggs.

who

refers to the subject of the sentence

Johnny, who is 5 years old, loves to sing

who loves me?

whom

refers to the object of the sentence

Whom do you love?

Whom am I speaking with?

I

Use "I" when you are the subject

Tim and I went to the mall.

Me

use "me" when you are the object

Sarah woke up my dog and me.

than I

Use I after the word "than" if the pronoun is being compared to the SUBJECT of a verb. Find example???

than Me

Use me after the word "than" if the pronoun is being compared to the OBJECT of a verb. Need example. He is smarter than me???

Preposition +me

use me when it follows a preposition. He got the cookies from me.

linking verb + I

Use I when it follows a linking verb such as is

Contrast conjunctions

but, yet, although, even though, however, nontheless, never the less, or yet

continuation conjunctions

and, because, since, finally, furthermore, more over, since, so, thus, therefore

Use Semicolon when CONJUNCTION IS MISSING

-You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.

Commas and introductory words as Interupters (exception to rule)

-We ask, therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.

Explanation: In this sentence, "therefore" is not introducing an independent clause so it is an interrupter. Use commas to surround interrupters.

Use either a semicolon or a comma before introductory words such as "namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., for instance" WHEN THEY INTRODUCE A LIST following a complete sentence. Use a comma AFTER the introductory word.

CORRECT-The American flag has three colors; namely, red, white, and blue.

You will want to bring many backpacking items; for example, sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.

ALSO CORRECT-The American flag has three colors, namely, red, white, and blue.

-You will want to bring many backpacking items, for example, sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.

IF YOU REMOVE NAMELY:

CORRECT - The American flag has three colors: red, white, and blue.

Commas hug interruptors

The orchestra, excluding the violin section, was not up to par.

Use commas to surround an interrupting expression.

Colons and lists

I need a few items at the store: clothespins, a bottle opener, and napkins.

Commas and coordinating conjunctions

I answered the phone, but no one seemed to be on the other end of the line.

Use a comma to separate two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction ("and, but, or, for, nor").

Comma and contrasting parts of a sentence (not, rather).

I wanted a cup of coffee, not a glass of milk.

Explanation: Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.

Noun: breakdown Verb: break down

Phrases that have verb, noun, and adjective forms should appear as separate words when used as verbs and as one word when used as nouns or adjectives.

The engine will eventually break down. (verb)

Please clean up your room. (verb)

We suffered a breakdown in communications. (noun)

That Superfund site will require specialized cleanup procedures. (adjective)

Semicolons used when Conjunction word missing

Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

-Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.

Simplest sounding answers are usually RIGHT

fake-fancy is a trap. Be economical...LESS is MORE!

Ex

Stew wanted to "form" a nonprofit organization

-not "begin and found" this is redundant

-not "formulate" incorrect use of verb

-not "provide the formation of" b/c unnecessarily wordy

Practice Economy

-use as few words as possible

-less is more

Practice Clarity and Logic

-avoid informal language (ex. could of vs could have)

-Remember proper grammar is tested, not how we talk to our friends

-Does it sound right? Look right? Make sense? Great!

Conjunctions= FANBOYS

a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses. Ex for, and, nor, but, or, yet or so

comma = Introductory phrase

Ex. Upon completing the building, the contractor sent us the bill.

comma = hugs the Nonessentials or BTW

Ex. Joey, the homeless man at my subway stop, plays "Stairway to Heaven" on a a flute.

comma = needed when it separates two independent clauses AND FANBOYS ARE PRESENT

Ex. I'm thinking of going to Georgetown, but I enjoyed visiting American University.

Ex. I'll take the #2 with a Coke, and I'll go ahead and "Jumbo" size it.

NO NO NO NO COMMA needed when Independent and dependent are paired

Ex. Mike was the first person on the scene of the accident and tried to help the injured passenger.

Since "tried to help the injured passenger" is not a complete sentence, therefore a dependent clause...you do NOT need a comma.

Comma separates words in a list or series

if you can say the word "AND" between adjectives that modify a noun, they you need a comma.
Ex. The relentless, overwhelming, powerful wind caused our tent to fly away.
Ex. Mrs. Wors lives in a small brick house.

The "ing" thing. When a verbal phrase at the end of the sentence refers to the entire sentence (not just the immediate word before it) you NEED a comma!

Ex. Barbara did well, considering she hadn't studied at all.
Ex. Where you wouldn't need it...
Mr. Spare offered rewards to students trying to impove their test score. The students (not Mr. Spare) are trying to improve scores so the "ing" is referring to the word right before and no comma is needed.
Ex. The seven year old looked away from me when he lied, reinforcing my suspicions. Comma needed b/c the "ing" phrase is modifying the entire clause before it.

Semicolon Rule 1
Independent; Independent and NOOOO FANBOYS PRESENT

Ex. I'm thinking of going to Georgetown; D.C. is an ideal place to begin a political career.
Ex. Steve was the best player in his region; his free kicks were nothing short of lethal.

Semicolon Rule 2 Independent; However, Independent

(However, thus, furthermore, moreover, therefore, nevertheless)

When these words are placed between two independent clauses they function as conjunctions but will need a semi and a comma.
Ex. I like gigantic pickup trucks; however, they're not practical in New York City.Colon Rule 1: It follows an independent clause and introduces an example, explanation, short phrase or list.Colon Rule 1: It follows an independent clause and introduces an example, explanation, short phrase or list.

Colon Rule 1: It follows an independent clause and introduces an example, explanation, short phrase or list.

Ex. There's only one city where I'd ever live: Boulder, Colorado.
Ex. Martha has a serious problem: she's fourteen and doesn't know how to tie her shoes (example)
Ex. The teacher had only three rules in her class: be on time, sit quietly, and check your attitude at the door. (explanation)

Colon Rule 2: There has to be an independent clause before a colon, but not after.

The teacher had only three rules in her class: be on time, sit quietly, and check your attitude at the door.

Dashes- rarely on ACT...only use with Major Break or Interruption in thought OR a list within a sentence

Ex. Skiing at Vail is expensive --it cost me ninety bucks--but the back bowls are worth every penny.
Ex. Three of my most difficult subjects--history, physics, and English--are all first thing in the morning.

The noun immediately before the object that is being possessed receives the apostrophe

Ex. We drove to the lake in Angie and Paige's convertible...
only Paige has the apostrophe

Subject Verb agreement

Sentence simplification first, remove all the BTWs

SANAM Some Any None All Most

an amount like none is married to one work, the word of...The none at the end of "of " dictates verb status.
Ex none of my friends want to to see the new movie. Friends want

Tense agreement

Keep it consistent!
Ex.Joe ran the race and won.
Ex. Caitlin tired to teach her mom how to text but didn't expect her to get it.
Ex. Mirth has dressed up like a ballerina every year since the third grade, and every year her friend have laughed at her.
Ex. As soon as the last bell rang, Mr. Brooke's class rushed the door.

Tense agreement Exception

If it is VERY OBVIOUS that the tense has changed, then a shift in tenses is allowed. This is not tested often
Ex. Bruce asked Georgia to go to the music today and will ask Chuck to go to the action thriller tomorrow.

Reflexive pronouns

Myself, herself, themselves...reflect back on the subject of the sentence; they are not used as the subject
INC: Tommy and myself spent the day at the go cart track
C: Tomm and I spend the day at the go cart track.

except vs accept

except = apart from
accept = verb

prepositional idioms

when to use into, onto, in, etc.

affect vs effect

affect=to influence
effect = noun=result

fewer refers to a number you can count. Less refers to an amount of something.
Ex. Use the cooking analogy...you have fewer cherries and less flour than you need. Fewer people
Ex. Fewer people voted for him in this election
I liked him less after his global warming statement

Farther vs further

farther = physical distance
further = indicates level or degree

Colorado is farther from Beijing than Tokyo
Picasso goes further than Cezanne in his application of abstract ideas

That vs which

that= restrictive, restricts the meaning or identity of the word
which= by the way (adds info, but doesn't define it
The waterfall that empties into Phelps lake starts above the tree line (THAT makes it a specific waterfall)
The waterfall, which empties into Phelps Lake, starts above the tree line

who/whom

who for a subject
whom for an object
subjects do the action/objects are the recipient of the action.
Who is the favorite to win Wimbledom? expl...since Roger is favored to win, and is the subject of the question, use the word "who".
Also correct..
Whom do you want to win Wimbledon? Well, since I want Roger to win Wimbledon, now Roger is the ojbect of the sentence and Whom becomes the appropriate word.

discreet vs discrete

discreet=quiet
discrete=individually separate

principle vs principal

principle-person
principal-idea

elicit vs illicit

elicit= evoke or cause
illicit = bad, like an illicit affair

Adjectives modify nouns and adverbs modify verbs

Ex. As gentle as my dog is, whe would still protect my family
Ex He could see clearly enough to make out the horizon
use clear/cleary. Use clearly b/c it modifies to see
Ex. Even though commercials tell you it's easy to get rich quick/quickly. You should use quickly bc it modifies "gets"

Avoid Redundancy

Red. I value each and every student's opinion
Conc: I value each student's opinion
Red: My mom has a maternal, nurturing, caring, protective, motherly way about her.
Conc: My mom cares, nurtures, and protects.

Formal

If you sense formality in the passage...avoid Colloquilalisms (slang, casual language)

capital vs capitol

Capitol is a building occupied by state legislature or the place in DC. Everything else is capitAl (money, Topeka, capital punishment, etc)

lie vs lay

Lie is to recline ( ex. I lie down after school). Lay is to put (ex. I lay my bookbag down on the floor).

Commas with Appositives

The definition of an appositive is a word or word group that defines or further identifies the noun or noun phrase preceding it.

Rule: When an appositive is essential to the meaning of the noun it belongs to, don't use commas. When the noun preceding the appositive provides sufficient identification on its own, use commas around the appositive.

Example: Jorge Torres, our senator, was born in California.

Explanation: Our senator is an appositive of the proper noun Jorge Torres. Our senator is surrounded by commas because Jorge Torres is a precise identifier.

Example: Our senator, Jorge Torres, was born in California.

Explanation: Our senator is still a relatively precise identifier so Jorge Torres is not considered essential.

Example: CEO Julie Minsky will be our featured speaker.

Explanation: Julie Minsky is necessary to help identify CEO, so no commas are used.

Example: Julie Minsky, CEO, will be our featured speaker.

Explanation: Julie Minsky is a precise identifier so the appositive is surrounded by commas.

Omit vs No Change

Omit/Delete is right 50% of the time
No Change is right 20% of the time

For singular nouns, always add apostrophe + -s

The boy's ball = The ball belonging to the boy The dress's buttons = The buttons on the dress

For plural nouns, always add -s + apostrophe (or -es + apostrophe if the singular version ends in -s)

The boys' ball = The ball belonging to the boys The dresses' buttons = The buttons on the dresses

It's vs. Its

It's = It is Its = Possessive form of "it' Its' = Does not exist