ACT English

Possessive Pronouns

NO apostrophes

*except for the word one*

EX) their, its

'S if singular

I need to pick up my dog's toys.

Explanation: 's shows that there is one dog and possession

S' if plural

I need to pick up my dogs' toys.

Explanation: s' shows that there is more than one dog and possession

Contraction

who's = who is

They're = they are

it's = it is

Its

- Possession

EX) The tree lost its leaves.

It's

- It is

- Contraction

EX) It's time to start studying.

Its'

NOT A THING

There

- Location

EX) I left my calculator on the table over there.

They're

- They are

- Contraction

EX) They're the professionals.

Their

- Possession

EX) The students all aced their test!

would've, could've, should've

would have, could have, should have

NEVER choose would of, could of, should of

Clause Types

tell the difference between independent and dependent clauses

Independent Clause

- subject and verb

- stand alone as a complete idea

EX) Jack will introduce you to Melissa.

Dependent Clause

- missing subject and verb

- CANNOT stand alone as a complete idea

EX) Your new teacher

Interrupters

- Extra information in the sentence that can be removed and still make sense

- Can be independent or dependent

- ALWAYS separated from the rest of the sentence by commas, parentheses, or dashes

- Can be in the middle of a sentence (will have commas, parentheses, or dashes on both sides)

- Can also be at the end (will have a single comma or dash in front of it and a period at the end. Have parentheses around it instead)

Correct Examples of Interrupters using Commas & Parentheses

1) Lori, who was late last week, showed up an hour early today.

Test it: Lori showed up an hour early today.

*Still makes sense, bold part is an interrupter

2) Doug's new car (which cost a fortune) is slow.

Test it: Doug's new car is slow.

*Still makes sense, bold part is an interrupter"

Incorrect Example of Interrupters using Dashes

1) Lori - who was late last week, showed up an hour early today.

Explanation: The dash and comma are incorrect. The correct way would be to use the dash at the end of a sentence without the comma.

Correct Example of Interrupters using Dashes

1) Mark scored 38 points for his team in Thursday's game - a new record for his school.

Explanation: There is an independent clause before the dash therefore the bold part is the interrupter. The dash is used correctly at the end of a sentence.

Semicolons and Periods

They separate two independent clauses. If you see a period or semicolon as an option, check the clause types on both sides. If they both aren't independent clauses then the answer is wrong.

Correct Example of Semicolons & Periods

1) Alexander didn't study for the test; he didn't do very well.

2) Alexander didn't study for the test. He didn't do very well.

Explanation: The clauses are both independent and separated by a semicolon or a period.

Incorrect Example of Semicolons & Periods

Alexander didn't study for the test; the hardest test of the year.

Explanation: There is a dependent clause after the semicolon which makes this incorrect. Both clauses HAVE to be independent.

Dashes and Parentheses

- Mark interrupters. That is all.

Correct Examples of Dashes & Parentheses

1) I chose to write a paper about genetics - my favorite biology topic.

I chose to write a paper about genetics (my favorite biology topic).

Explanation: The independent clauses can stand on their own. The dashes and parentheses are being used correctly at the end of a sentence.

2) Thor - the biggest dog I've ever seen - loves treats.

Thor (the biggest dog I've ever seen) loves treats.

Test it: Thor loves treats.

*Stand on its own therefore the parentheses and dashes are correct.

Hyphen "-"

combines two words to make an adjective

EX) an age-old question

Explanation: "age-old" are two words combined that are describing the question

Colons ":"

2 rules to know

1) There must be an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE before the colon

2) What follows the colon must be a list, example, explanation, or definition NEVER put a colon after "for example," "such as," "including," or "like"

- This will break rule 1

Rule 1 Examples of Colons

Correct: I will go to the store to pick up tree items: tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots.

Explanation: There is an independent clause before the colon and items are being listed after the colon.

Incorrect: I will go to the store to pick up three items, including: tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots.

Explanation: The clause before the colon is dependent because of the word "including." Because the clause it dependent, rule 1 is broken.

Commas ","

The most important use: separating an independent clause from a dependent

Note: In the ACT, you will have to choose between a comma, period, semicolon, or nothing. (check the clause types on either side)

EXAMPLES:

1) Alexander didn't study for the test, the hardest test of the year.

2) While out shopping, Kat stopped to pet a stray cat.

*The blue clause is independent. The orange clause is dependent.

Commas

The second use: FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

this is the exception of "the most important use"

If one of the FANBOYS follows a comma, it is used to connect two independent clauses (not including the FANBOYS word itself)

CAUTION: the FANBOYS words can be used for other things. ONLY put a comma in front of one if there are two independent clauses. Otherwise, no comma is needed.

EXAMPLES:

1) Hubert brought food to the picnic, and Sheila brought drinks.

2) I should have aced that test, but I forgot to study.

*The clauses in bold are independent.

When not to put a comma with a FANBOYS word:

Don gave the cat his food and poured his water.

*There is an independent clause before the "and," but there is a dependent clause afterwards. No comma should go before the "and."

Commas

The third use: transition words (however, instead, therefore, additionally, etc.)

1. If the transition word starts the sentence:

- Put a comma after the transition word

EX) However, no one was listening.

2. If the transition word is in the middle of the sentence:

There must be punctuation on BOTH sides of the transition word. Check your clauses on either side of the transition word to see which ones

- If at least one clause is dependent, then use two commas

- If both clauses are independent, then use one comma and a period or semicolon

Transition words in the MIDDLE of the sentence-examples:

1) The coach therefore was not impressed.

Clauses: red is dependent, blue is also dependent

*use two commas

The coach, therefore, was not impressed.

2) The meal was supposed to start at noon however the turkey wasn't done cooking until 1:00.

Clauses: red is independent, blue is also independent

*use a period or semicolon with one comma

The meal was supposed to start at noon. However, the turkey wasn't done cooking until 1:00.

Commas

The fourth use: lists/the Oxford comma

Always put commas between each item in a list of three items or more Always include the commas before the last item

- It is not optional in the ACT.

Example:

Correct: Josiah's hobbies include running, cooking, and yoga. Incorrect: Josiah's hobbies include running, cooking and yoga.

Prepositional phrases:

Along the same lines, transition phrases and prepositional phrases at the beginning of a sentence will need a comma after them. Prepositions indicate where something is relative to something else.

Examples: Under the desk, I found my backpack.

2 independent clauses use a...

period or semicolon

1 independent and 1 dependent clause use a...

comma