Understanding ACT English grammar rules is crucial for success on the exam. These rules cover everything from subject-verb agreement to punctuation, ensuring your writing is clear and effective. Mastering these concepts can boost your score and enhance your communication skills.
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Subject-verb agreement
- Subjects and verbs must agree in number (singular or plural).
- Collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on context.
- Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, each) are usually singular.
- Be cautious with phrases that separate the subject and verb; the verb should still agree with the main subject.
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Pronoun-antecedent agreement
- Pronouns must agree in number and gender with their antecedents.
- Use singular pronouns for singular antecedents and plural pronouns for plural antecedents.
- Be aware of compound antecedents; they may require a plural pronoun.
- Indefinite pronouns can create confusion; ensure clarity in agreement.
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Verb tense consistency
- Maintain the same verb tense throughout a sentence or related sentences.
- Use past tense for completed actions and present tense for ongoing actions.
- Be cautious with shifts in time; clarify when changing tenses is necessary.
- Consistency helps avoid confusion and maintains clarity in writing.
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Parallel structure
- Use the same grammatical form for items in a list or series.
- Ensure that verbs, nouns, and phrases are structured similarly for clarity.
- Parallelism enhances readability and flow in writing.
- Look for conjunctions (and, or) that connect parallel elements.
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Comma usage
- Use commas to separate items in a list, after introductory phrases, and before conjunctions in compound sentences.
- Use commas to set off non-essential clauses and appositives.
- Avoid comma splices; connect independent clauses properly.
- Be mindful of using commas with coordinating adjectives.
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Semicolon and colon usage
- Use semicolons to connect closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.
- Colons introduce lists, explanations, or quotations.
- Ensure the clause before a colon is a complete sentence.
- Avoid overusing semicolons; they should enhance clarity, not complicate it.
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Apostrophe usage
- Use apostrophes to indicate possession (e.g., the dog's bone).
- Use apostrophes in contractions to show omitted letters (e.g., don't for do not).
- Be cautious with plural nouns; apostrophes are not needed for pluralization.
- Distinguish between its (possessive) and itโs (contraction for it is).
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Sentence fragments and run-ons
- A sentence fragment lacks a subject, verb, or complete thought; ensure all sentences are complete.
- Run-on sentences occur when two independent clauses are improperly joined; use punctuation or conjunctions to separate them.
- Revise fragments and run-ons for clarity and coherence.
- Aim for varied sentence structure to enhance writing quality.
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Modifier placement
- Place modifiers close to the words they modify to avoid confusion.
- Misplaced modifiers can lead to ambiguous or humorous interpretations.
- Use clear and precise language to ensure the intended meaning is conveyed.
- Avoid dangling modifiers that leave the subject unclear.
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Concision and redundancy
- Eliminate unnecessary words to make writing more concise.
- Avoid redundancy by not repeating the same idea in different words.
- Use precise language to convey meaning effectively.
- Aim for clarity without sacrificing detail.
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Idioms and prepositions
- Use idiomatic expressions correctly; they often do not follow literal meanings.
- Be aware of common prepositional phrases and their correct usage.
- Avoid mixing idioms or using them incorrectly in context.
- Familiarize yourself with common idiomatic expressions for clarity.
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Comparative and superlative adjectives
- Use comparative adjectives to compare two items (e.g., taller, smarter).
- Use superlative adjectives to compare three or more items (e.g., tallest, smartest).
- Be mindful of irregular forms (e.g., good, better, best).
- Ensure clarity in comparisons to avoid confusion.
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Coordinating and subordinating conjunctions
- Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) connect equal parts of a sentence.
- Subordinating conjunctions (although, because, since) introduce dependent clauses.
- Use conjunctions to create complex sentences and enhance writing flow.
- Ensure proper punctuation when using conjunctions to connect clauses.
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Active vs. passive voice
- Use active voice for clarity and directness (e.g., The dog chased the cat).
- Passive voice can obscure the subject and make sentences less engaging (e.g., The cat was chased by the dog).
- Prefer active voice in most writing, but passive voice can be useful in specific contexts.
- Be aware of the impact of voice on sentence structure and meaning.
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Commonly confused words
- Be familiar with pairs of words that are often misused (e.g., affect/effect, their/there/they're).
- Understand the meanings and correct usage of these words to avoid errors.
- Context is key; ensure the right word fits the intended meaning.
- Review commonly confused words regularly to reinforce understanding.