Act - English

Sentence structure

Sentence is a complete thought that must contain subject and verb

subject

thing(noun, pronoun and more) that is taking an action

verb

action that is taken

verb phrase

phrase formed by verb and helping verb(is, are, will, can and more)

Noun

a person, place, thing or concept

Indefinite Pronoun

noun that does not refer directly someone but used as more general purpose. For-example: Anyone, some, each and more

Collective Nouns

Refer to group of people, animal and thing (audience, herd, team, class)

Relative Noun

used to refer to nouns mentioned previously (who, where, when, which)

ex - Moy of monkey forest, who was legendary swordmen

Logical Comparison

when it come to compare, we are not suppose to compare painting to painter, but instead we compare painting to painting. So we have to add that of (single) and those of (plural).

**Wrong**: My test score was higher than valedictorian

**Correct**: My test score was higher than **those of** valedictorian

Correlative Conjunction

sets of word that connect parallel parts of a sentence

* either/or.
* neither/nor.
* such/that.
* whether/or.
* not only/but also.
* both/and.
* as many/as.
* no sooner/than.

Pronoun and Antecedents

Noun on a later sentence represent as pronoun for better flow of sentence

**Moy**(**antecedents** - noun) says **he**(**pronoun**) like Chocky-milk

Reflexive Pronoun

noun that took action is the one who receive the action

**Moy**(**noun**) completed project by **himself**(**Reflexive Pronoun**)

Sentence Fragment

Incomplete sentence

To identify we need to see if one of these are missing: Verb, Subject, Independent Clause

Not complete sentence “Because he was late for class.”

There is Verb(late) and Subject(he), but doesn't have independent clause, we are not aware why he used word because, and what is behind it.

Being

Word being is is almost always wrong in ACT test, so it is wise to replace with other word

Subject Pronoun

He / She

who

Object Pronoun

Him / Her

whom - receive verb

Possessive Adjectives

His / Her

whose - possessive form

Run-on, or Fused Sentence

Two or more independent clauses are joined together without proper punctuation

Modifiers

Words or phrases that provide additional information about other elements in a sentence

Adjective

Are modifiers that describe nouns - comma should not separate adjective from

Coordinate Adjective

Correct - Today was **cold, cloudy** day

Correct - Today was **cold** and **cloudy** day

Cumulative Adjective

Incorrect - Moy wore, a **yellow** jacket

Correct - Moy wore a **yellow** jacket

Comparative Adjective

Short Adjective: fast → **faster**

Long Adjective: beautiful → **more beautiful**

**irregular**: good → **better**

bad → **worse**

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Superlative Adjective

Short Adjective: fast → **fastest**

Long Adjective: beautiful → **most beautiful**

**irregular**: good → **best**

bad → **worst**

Countable Adjectives

few, many, each

Uncountable Adjectives

much, a little, every

Noun functioning like Adjective:

noun is used to modify or describe another noun, it is functioning as an adjective


1. **School bus** (The noun "school" is describing the type of bus.)
2. **Coffee table** (The noun "coffee" is describing the type of table.)
3. **Car engine** (The noun "car" is describing the type of engine.)
4. **Winter coat** (The noun "winter" is describing the type of coat.)
5. **Dog leash** (The noun "dog" is describing the type of leash.)

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Participial Phrases

* Typically end with *-ing* and *-ed*. Function like adjective to add description and detail to a sentence
* **Dripping with honey**, the freshly baked bread was irresistible.
* Participial Phrase: "Dripping with honey"
* Function: Describes the bread and provides additional detail.
* **Exhausted from the hike**, Sarah collapsed onto the couch.
* Participial Phrase: "Exhausted from the hike"
* Function: Describes Sarah's state and provides context.
* **Excited by the news**, the children ran to the window.
* Participial Phrase: "Excited by the news"
* Function: Describes the children's emotions and provides a reason for their action.

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Adverbs

provide information about location, timing, reason manner, and extent

ex: Bring the laundry **downstairs**

Preposition

Often show relationship of time space, and direction

ex: about, before, during, for, from, in, to, of

Past verb

Simple: I asked

Continuous: I was asking

Perfect: I has asked

Perfect continuous: I had been asking

Present verb

Simple: I ask

Continuous: I am asking

Perfect: I have asked

Perfect continuous: I have been asking

Future Verb

Simple: I will asked

Continuous: I will be asking

Perfect: I will have asked

Perfect continuous: I will have been asking

Commas

1. **Separating Items in a List (Serial Comma):** Use a comma to separate items in a list of three or more elements. Example: "She bought apples, oranges, and bananas."

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2. **Separating Independent Clauses:** Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet) to join two independent clauses. Example: "I wanted to go, but I was too tired."

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3. **Introductory Elements:** Use a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses. Example: "In the morning, I go for a run."

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4. **Appositives:** Use a comma to set off nonessential appositive phrases (words that rename or explain a noun). Example: "My friend, a talented musician, played the piano."

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5. **Nonrestrictive Clauses:** Use a comma to set off nonrestrictive (extra) clauses that provide additional information. Example: "The book, which I borrowed from the library, was fascinating."

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6. **Direct Address:** Use a comma to set off the name or title of a person being directly addressed. Example: "John, can you pass the salt?"

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7. **Dates and Addresses:** Use a comma to separate parts of dates (day, month, year) and elements of an address (city, state). Example: "July 4, 1776, is Independence Day."

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8. **Quotations:** Use a comma to introduce a quotation or dialogue. Example: She said, "I'll be there in five minutes."

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9. **Joining Adjectives:** Use a comma between two or more adjectives that equally modify the same noun. Example: "He wore a soft, comfortable sweater."

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10. **Contrast or Transition:** Use a comma to indicate contrast or transition in a sentence. Example: "She wanted to go hiking, not swimming."

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11. **Oxford Comma**: When listing three or more items adding commas then adding and at the end

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Coordinating Conjunctions

type of conjunction that is used to connect words, phrases, or clauses

Ex: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so and more

**Rule 1:** if come before subject and a very must have comma before it

**Rule 2:** if not, then it cannot have comma before it

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Subordinating Conjunctions

Joins dependent and independent clause

Ex: after, although, as long as, because, before, even of and more

Introductory Phrases

Introductory clause begins a sentence and provides information typically about location, time, or position. There clauses are dependent, cannot stand on their own

Ex: In the 2030’s general Moy started revolution

Commas and Quotation Marks

Comma should come before a quotation


1. He says, “I am here.”
2. “I am here.” he said,

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Dashes

1. To **set aside extra information** same way as parathesis

Ex: I ate burger — 2 of them — it was mad delicious

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2. To **highlight information** at the end a sentence

Ex: There was a cat — a mysterious organism

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3. To **separate independent clauses** the same wat that period does

Ex: I am Muslim — I cannot eat pork

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Parentheses

Parenthesis set off nonsensical information

Ex: National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA)

Colons

* introduce and emphasize information that follows


1. **Introducing Lists:** A colon can be used to introduce a list of items, details, or examples. Example: "She bought three types of fruit: apples, oranges, and bananas."

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2. **Introducing Explanations or Clarifications:** A colon can be used to introduce an explanation or clarification of a previous statement. Example: "There was one thing he couldn't resist: chocolate."

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3. **Introducing Quotations:** A colon can be used to introduce a quotation or piece of dialogue. Example: "She said the secret to success is simple: 'Work hard and stay focused.'"

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4. **Introducing Formal Statements:** A colon can be used to introduce a formal statement or announcement. Example: "The meeting will cover the following topics: budget, timeline, and objectives."

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5. **Introducing Subtitles:** A colon is often used to separate the main title of a work from its subtitle. Example: "The Art of Negotiation: Strategies for Success."

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6. **Time Indication:** A colon can be used to indicate time, such as in a clock time format. Example: "The train is scheduled to depart at 4:30 PM."

Semicolons

**Semicolons**

* Semicolon is use to connect or separate two closely related independent clause


1. **Connecting Independent Clauses:** A semicolon can be used to connect two independent clauses (complete sentences) that are closely related in meaning but not joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," "yet"). This creates a stronger connection between the two ideas than a period would, while still keeping them separate.

Example: "She wanted to go to the movies; he preferred to stay home."

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2. **Separating Items in a List:** When items in a list contain internal punctuation (such as commas), a semicolon can be used to separate the items. This helps avoid confusion between the different items.

Example: "She visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Barcelona, Spain."

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3. **Clarifying Complex Lists:** In lists where individual items include phrases or explanations, semicolons can help clarify the structure.

Example: "The meeting will address the following topics: budget planning; team coordination; marketing strategies; and project timelines."

Apostrophes and possession

When subject posses something we use Apostrophes

**Singular**: country__**’s**__ economy

**Plural**: countrie__**s’**__ flag

its

it Singular possessive

it’s

it is

its’

it but wrong

Their

possessive form of they

They’re

They are

There

Identifies a location

Transition Words

* words or phrases that help create connections between ideas within a sentence, paragraph, or longer piece of writing


1. **Addition and Similarity:**
* Additionally, furthermore, moreover
* In addition, similarly, likewise
* Not only... but also
* As well as, besides, also
2. **Contrast and Comparison:**
* However, nevertheless, on the other hand
* Although, even though, though
* In contrast, whereas, while
* Similarly, in the same way, likewise
3. **Cause and Effect:**
* Therefore, thus, consequently
* Because, since, as a result
* Due to, owing to, on account of
* So, for this reason, accordingly
4. **Time and Sequence:**
* First, second, third
* Meanwhile, during, afterward
* Next, then, finally
* Previously, earlier, subsequently
5. **Illustration and Example:**
* For example, for instance
* In particular, specifically, namely
* Such as, to illustrate
6. **Conclusion and Summary:**
* In conclusion, to sum up
* Therefore, in summary
* All in all, overall
7. **Emphasis and Intensification:**
* Indeed, in fact
* Certainly, without a doubt
* Undoubtedly, surely
* Especially, notably, significantly