English ACT Prep

Punctuation

The English test is a 75-question, 45-minute test, covering:

Usage/Mechanics(53% - 40 questions)

• Punctuation (13%)• Grammar and usage (16%) • Sentence structure (24%)

Rhetorical Skills(47% or 35 questions)• Strategy (16%)• Organization (15%)• Style (16%)

Punctuation

Key Items• Commas• Semicolons• Colons• Dashes• Apostrophes

The Comma ( , )

More than half of the punctuation questions on the ACT concern the proper use of commas.

Too few commas in a sentence can create confusion as to where one thought ends and another begins. Too many commas breaks up the flow of the sentence.

Some Comma Rules to Consider

1. The Serial Comma2. Separating Clauses and Phrases3. Separating “Restrictive” and “Nonrestrictive”

Elements

1. The Serial Comma

Commas are used to separate items in a series:

For example:

When Mary walked into the classroom she saw a school teacher a doctor a woman eating a bagel and a bird.

1. The Serial Comma

Commas are used to separate items in a series:

For example:

When Mary walked into the classroom she saw a school teacher, a doctor, a woman eating a bagel and a bird.

1. The Serial Comma

Commas are used to separate items in a series:

For example:

When Mary walked into the classroom she saw a school teacher, a doctor, a woman eating a bagel, and a bird.

ACT mandates the Oxford comma!

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

The ACT also tests your ability to use commas correctly when two clauses, or a clause and a phrase, appear in the same sentence.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

Two Independent ClausesIndependent clauses are those that can form a

complete sentence on their own. Identify the two independent clauses in the following sentence:

Mary wondered why there was a bird in the classroom and she decided to ask the teacher what the bird was doing indoors.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

Two Independent ClausesIndependent clauses are those that can form a

complete sentence on their own. Identify the two independent clauses in the following sentence:

Mary wondered why there was a bird in the classroom and she decided to ask the teacher what the bird was doing indoors.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

Two Independent ClausesIndependent clauses are those that can form a

complete sentence on their own. Identify the two independent clauses in the following sentence:

Mary wondered why there was a bird in the classroom and she decided to ask the teacher what the bird was doing indoors.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

Two Independent ClausesIndependent clauses are those that can form a

complete sentence on their own. Identify the two independent clauses in the following sentence:

Mary wondered why there was a bird in the classroom and she decided to ask the teacher what the bird was doing indoors.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

Two Independent ClausesIndependent clauses are those that can form a

complete sentence on their own. Identify the two independent clauses in the following sentence:

Mary wondered why there was a bird in the classroom, and she decided to ask the teach what the bird was doing indoors

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

An Independent Clause and a Dependent Clause

A dependent clause is one that cannot stand on its own as a sentence. Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence:

Before Mary could reach the teacher she saw the woman offer the bird part of the bagel.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

An Independent Clause and a Dependent Clause

A dependent clause is one that cannot stand on its own as a sentence. Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence:

Before Mary could reach the teacher she saw the woman offer the bird part of the bagel.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

An Independent Clause and a Dependent Clause

A dependent clause is one that cannot stand on its own as a sentence. Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence:

Before Mary could reach the teacher, she saw the woman offer the bird part of the bagel.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

An Independent Clause and a Modifying PhraseA modifying phrase modifies, or describes,

something else, usually a noun. Identify the modifying phrase in the sentence below:

Hungry and excited the bird snapped up the bagel.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

An Independent Clause and a Modifying PhraseA modifying phrase modifies, or describes,

something else, usually a noun. Identify the modifying phrase in the sentence below:

Hungry and excited the bird snapped up the bagel.

2. Commas Separating Clauses and Phrases

An Independent Clause and a Modifying PhraseA modifying phrase modifies, or describes,

something else, usually a noun. Identify the modifying phrase in the sentence below:

Hungry and excited, the bird snapped up the bagel.

3. Commas Separating “Restrictive” and “Nonrestrictive” Elements

A “restrictive” clause or phrase is essential to the meaning of a sentence, and does not need to be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas:

People who snore are advised to sleep on their side.

3. Commas Separating “Restrictive” and “Nonrestrictive” Elements

A “restrictive” clause or phrase is essential to the meaning of a sentence, and does not need to be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas:

People who snore are advised to sleep on their side.

3. Commas Separating “Restrictive” and “Nonrestrictive” Elements

An “nonrestrictive” clause or phrase is not essential to the meaning of a sentence. It merely adds a parenthetical thought, and thus needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas:

My Grandfather who snores loudly always sleeps in his longjohns.

3. Commas Separating “Restrictive” and “Nonrestrictive” Elements

An “nonrestrictive” clause or phrase is not essential to the meaning of a sentence. It merely adds a parenthetical thought, and thus needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas:

My Grandfather who snores loudly always sleeps in his longjohns.

3. Commas Separating “Restrictive” and “Nonrestrictive” Elements

An “nonrestrictive” clause or phrase is not essential to the meaning of a sentence. It merely adds a parenthetical thought, and thus needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas:

My Grandfather, who snores loudly, always sleeps in his longjohns.

3. Commas Separating “Restrictive” and “Nonrestrictive” Elements

Change or no change?

Mary who by now was very confused stopped in front of the woman.

“Only a person who is a little peculiar would feed a bagel to a bird!” thought Mary.

3. Commas Separating “Restrictive” and “Nonrestrictive” Elements

Change or no change?

Mary, who by now was very confused, stopped in front of the woman.

“Only a person who is a little peculiar would feed a bagel to a bird!” thought Mary.

Semicolons ( ; )

Semicolons are the punctuation marks used to put two or more clauses together to form one big sentence.

A semicolon falls somewhere between a heavy comma and a light period.

Semicolons ( ; )

When do you use a semicolon?

Use a semicolon instead of a period to connect two related independent clauses. Identify the two independent clauses below:

Just then the woman screamed the bird jumped up and perched on her head.

Semicolons ( ; )

When do you use a semicolon?

Use a semicolon instead of a period to connect two related independent clauses. Identify the two independent clauses below:

Just then the woman screamed the bird jumped up and perched on her head.

Semicolons ( ; )

When do you use a semicolon?

Use a semicolon instead of a period to connect two related independent clauses. Identify the two independent clauses below:

Just then the woman screamed the bird jumped up and perched on her head.

Semicolons ( ; )

When do you use a semicolon?

Use a semicolon instead of a period to connect two related independent clauses. Identify the two independent clauses below:

Just then the woman screamed; the bird jumped up and perched on her head.

Colons ( : )

Colons are usually used after a complete statement to introduce a list of related details. The list can have many items or just one. In the following sentence, try to decide where the statement ends and the details begin:

Maria just purchased all the camping supplies for our trip, a backpack, a sleeping bag, and a pair of hiking boots.

Colons ( : )

Colons are usually used after a complete statement to introduce a list of related details. The list can have many items or just one. In the following sentence, try to decide where the statement ends and the details begin:

Maria just purchased all the camping supplies for our trip, a backpack, a sleeping bag, and a pair of hiking boots.

Colons ( : )

Colons are usually used after a complete statement to introduce a list of related details. The list can have many items or just one. In the following sentence, try to decide where the statement ends and the details begin:

Maria just purchased all the camping supplies for our trip, a backpack, a sleeping bag, and a pair of hiking boots.

Colons ( : )

Colons are usually used after a complete statement to introduce a list of related details. The list can have many items or just one. In the following sentence, try to decide where the statement ends and the details begin:

Maria just purchased all the camping supplies for our trip: a backpack, a sleeping bag, and a pair of hiking boots.

Dashes ( - )

Dashes separate a word or group of words from the rest of the sentence.

Dashes are used either to indicate an abrupt break in thought, or to introduce an explanation of afterthought.

Dashes ( - )

In the example below, which group of words should be separated from the rest of the sentence?

I tried to express my gratitude not that any words could be adequate but she just nodded and walked away.

Dashes ( - )

In the example below, which group of words should be separated from the rest of the sentence?

I tried to express my gratitude not that any words could be adequate but she just nodded and walked away.

Dashes ( - )

In the example below, which group of words should be separated from the rest of the sentence?

I tried to express my gratitude – not that any words could be adequate – but she just nodded and walked away.

Dashes ( - )

When the group of words that needs isolating is in the middle of a sentence, dashes function like a pair of less formal parentheses.

However, when the phrase that needs isolating is at the end of the sentence instead, only one dash is required:

Just outside the door to the cabin we heard the howling of wolves – a sound which made our hair stand on end.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

An apostrophe is used either to indicate possession or to mark missing letters in a word.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

When an apostrophe is used to indicate possession, it appears either right before or right after the “s” at the end of the possessive noun:

Peters car is extremely expensive.Womens issues will be important in the next

election.The girls room will be renovated this summer.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

When an apostrophe is used to indicate possession, it appears either right before or right after the “s” at the end of the possessive noun:

Peter’s car is extremely expensive.Women’s issues will be important in the next

election.The girls’ room will be renovated this summer.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

Plural noun possessives are rarely tested on the ACT, those who design the test seem much more interested in your ability to form singular possessives correctly.

The ACT folks also seems very interested in whether you know when an apostrophe is unnecessary.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

Remember in order for the apostrophe to be correct when forming a possessive, the noun containing it must be followed by another noun, or an adjective and a noun:

Peter’s Car (Peter’s beautiful car)Women’s IssuesGirls’ room

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

If a noun containing the apostrophe is followed by a verb, no apostrophe is needed:

Students must have identification cards.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

The apostrophe is also used to indicate missing letters in a word, also known as a contraction:

I am sorry. I could not make it to your party.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

The apostrophe is also used to indicate missing letters in a word, also known as a contraction:

I’m sorry. I couldn’t make it to your party.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

Its/It’s

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

Its/It’s

The most common apostrophe error you’ll see on the ACT is the misuse of it’s and its, which have their own special rules.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

Its/It’s

The word it’s – with an apostrophe – is only used when you want to say “it is.”

It’s important. (It is important)

The word its – without an apostrophe – is the possessive form of the word “it.”

The baby bear could not find its mother.

Apostrophes ( ‘ )

The same rule can be applied for the following homonyms:

Who’s /WhoseThey’re /Their /There

Wrapping it up…

How do you spot punctuation errors?

Easy…Look for changes in punctuation among the answer choices:

A. NO CHANGEB. cities environmental problemsC. city’s environmental problemsD. citys’ environmental problems

Wrapping it up…

How do you spot punctuation errors?

Easy…Look for changes in punctuation among the answer choices:

A. NO CHANGEB. cities environmental problemsC. city’s environmental problemsD. citys’ environmental problems