ACT English rules

What is the first comma rule?

Commas mark the end of an introductory clause and are followed by a complete sentence.

What do introductory clauses usually begin with?

words such as although, when, while. since, if, and because.

What is something you shouldn’t leave out in the first comma rule?

Mention the subject of the sentence immediately after the comma

What is the second comma rule?

Commas are used to set off nonrestrictive clauses/ appositives. However, for example, for instance, and although are usually surrounded by commas

What are appositives?

phrases that interrupt the flow of the sentence

What is the third comma rule?

Commas are used to separate two or more coordinate adjectives preceding a noun

What is an exception of the third comma rule?

Don’t put a comma if the adjectives are cumulative

What is the fourth comma rule?

Commas separate more than two words in a series

What is the fifth comma rule?

A comma before a conjunction can be used to separate two complete sentences

What are the conjunction words?

and, but, or so

When should you not use a comma in the fifth comma rule?

Do not use a comma without the conjunction to separate two complete sentences

What is the sixth comma rule?

A comma can be used at the end of a sentence followed by an afterthought

What is the first dash rule?

The dash is used to mark an interruption. Commas and dashes can be used interchangeably

What is the second dash rule?

Dashes can be used like a colon

What is the first colon rule?

Complete sentence+Colon+list

What is the second colon rule?

Complete sentence+ colon+ afterthought

What is the third colon rule?

Complete sentence+ colon+ explanation

What is the first semicolon rule?

Semicolons are used to separate complete sentences

What is the second semicolon rule?

Semicolons are used before a coordinating adverb to separate two sentences

What are the coordinating adverbs?

however, therefore, since

What is the first apostrophe rule?

One owner= ‘s

What is the second apostrophe rule?

More than one owner= s’

What is the third apostrophe rule?

plural words without adding s like women, men, or people: use ‘s

What is the Subject-Verb Agreement?

A singular subject must be followed by a singular verb and a plural subject must be followed by a plural verb

What is the Subject-Pronoun Agreement?

A singular subject must be followed by a singular pronoun, and a plural subject must be followed by a plural pronoun

What is Parallel Phrasing?

Phrases or words in a series must be in the same form (I like running, biking, and swimming)

What are the transition tricks?

1. look for two transitions that have similar meanings

2. Eliminate the two with similar meanings

3. Look at the sentence before and after the transition to determine how the sentences should be linked.