ACT PREP

ACT English Test: Grammar







Prepared by: Beatrice Ekesa

ACT English Test: Grammar

​The ACT English Section: Nine Grammar Skills.

1. Punctuation

2. Run-on sentences and sentence fragments

3. Idioms and word choice

4. Verb tenses and conjugations 

5. Pronoun usage

6. Subject/verb agreement and pronoun number agreement

7. Parallelism

8. Modifier agreement and placement

9. Comparison and description

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a grammar skill tested in the ACT English test?

• Punctuation

• Run-on sentences

• Idioms and word choice

• Reading

ACT English Grammar: Punctuation

​Most ACT English test questions will require you to select the sentence that is correctly punctuated from the choices given.

To perform well on punctuation questions you will need a good mastery of the use of the following punctuation marks: 

•  Commas

• Apostrophes

• Dashes

• Semi colons

• Colons

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a punctuation mark tested in the ACT English test?

• Comma

• Apostrophe

• Dash

• Nouns

The Comma

In ACT English, proper comma usage is essential for conveying clear and grammatically correct ideas. We will discuss some common uses of the comma, along with specific examples that might align with the types of questions you are likely to encounter in the ACT.

Uses of the comma

1. Separating items in a series.

2. Separating independent clauses in a compound sentence.

3. Setting off introductory elements.

4. Setting off non-essential clauses or phrases.

5. Separating items in dates, addresses, and numbers.

6. separating two independent clauses.

7. Separating adjectives in a series.

8. Setting off direct quotations.

9. Separating parenthetical expressions

10. Separating dependent clauses at the end of a sentence.

Open Ended

List at least three uses of the comma.

Uses of the Comma

​1. Separating items in a series

Sample ACT Question
Choose the option that correctly punctuates the following sentence.

The recipe called for flour sugar salt and butter.

A) The recipe called for flour, sugar, salt, and butter.

B) The recipe called for flour sugar, salt, and butter.

C) The recipe called for flour sugar salt, and butter.

D) The recipe called for flour, sugar salt, and butter.

Uses of the Comma

​Separating items in a series - Explanation

The correct answer is A. In this sentence, items in the series (flour, sugar, salt, and butter) should be separated by commas for clarity and proper punctuation.

• Option A correctly adds commas after each item in the series.

• Option B incorrectly places a comma after "sugar" instead of before it.

• Option C incorrectly places a comma after "salt" instead of before it.

• Option D incorrectly places a comma after "sugar" but does not add a comma after "salt."

Therefore, the sentence should read: The recipe called for flour, sugar, salt, and butter.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that correctly punctuates the following sentence:

During the trip, Sarah packed a camera sunglasses a hat and sunscreen.

• During the trip, Sarah packed a camera, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen

• During the trip, Sarah packed a camera, sunglasses a hat, and sunscreen

• During the trip, Sarah packed a camera sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen

• During the trip Sarah packed, a camera, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen

Uses of the Comma: Separating Items in a series

​ACT Sample Question Explanation

Choose the option that correctly punctuates the following sentence.

During the trip, Sarah packed a camera sunglasses a hat and sunscreen.

A) During the trip, Sarah packed a camera, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
The correct answer is A. In this sentence, the items in the series (camera, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen) should be separated by commas for proper punctuation.

B) During the trip, Sarah packed a camera, sunglasses a hat, and sunscreen.
Option B incorrectly places a comma after "sunglasses" instead of before it.
C) During the trip, Sarah packed a camera sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
Option C incorrectly lacks commas, making the items in the series run together.

D) During the trip Sarah packed, a camera, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.

• Option D incorrectly places a comma after "trip" and disrupts the structure of the sentence.
  

Uses of the Comma

​Separating Independent Clauses in a Compound Sentence:

Choose the option that correctly punctuates the following sentence.

The rain was pouring, the thunderstorm continued without any sign of stopping.

A) The rain was pouring the thunderstorm continued without any sign of stopping.

B) The rain was pouring, the thunderstorm continued without any sign of stopping.

C) The rain was pouring, and the thunderstorm continued without any sign of stopping.

D) The rain was pouring the thunderstorm continued, without any sign of stopping.

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Uses of the Comma

​Separating Independent Clauses in a Compound Sentence - Explanation

The correct answer is C. In a compound sentence, independent clauses should be properly connected with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS - for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

• Option A lacks any punctuation between the independent clauses.

• Option B uses a comma but lacks a coordinating conjunction.

• Option C correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and."

• Option D lacks a comma before "without," creating a run-on sentence.

Therefore, the sentence should read: The rain was pouring, and the thunderstorm continued without any sign of stopping.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that correctly punctuates the following sentence.

He finished his work early, he decided to go for a jog.

• He finished his work early he decided to go for a jog.

• He finished his work early, he decided to go for a jog.

• He finished his work early, and he decided to go for a jog.

• He finished his work early he decided to go for a jog.

Uses of the Comma:

​ACT Sample Question Explanation

The correct answer is C. In a compound sentence, independent clauses should be properly connected with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

• Option A lacks any punctuation between the independent clauses.

• Option B uses a comma but lacks a coordinating conjunction.

• Option C correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and."

• Option D lacks a comma before "he," creating a run-on sentence.

Therefore, the sentence should read:
He finished his work early, and he decided to go for a jog.

Uses of the Comma

​Setting Off Introductory Elements

Choose the option that correctly punctuates the following sentence.

Running through the park on a chilly morning she felt invigorated.

A) Running through the park, on a chilly morning, she felt invigorated.

B) Running through the park on a chilly morning, she felt invigorated.

C) Running through the park, on a chilly morning she felt invigorated.

D) Running through the park on a chilly morning she felt invigorated.

Uses of the Comma

​ACT Sample Question Explanation

The correct answer is B. Introductory elements, such as prepositional phrases, should be set off with a comma.

• Option A adds unnecessary commas after "the park" and "a chilly morning."

• Option B correctly places a comma after the introductory element: Running through the park on a chilly morning.

• Option C incorrectly lacks a comma after "chilly morning."

• Option D incorrectly lacks commas after both "park" and "chilly morning."

Therefore, the sentence should read: "Running through the park on a chilly morning, she felt invigorated."

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that correctly punctuates the following sentence.

Before heading to the airport last-minute packing was required.

• Before heading to the airport, last-minute packing was required.

• Before heading to the airport last-minute, packing was required.

• Before heading to the airport, last-minute packing, was required.

• Before heading to the airport last-minute packing was required.

Uses of the Comma

​ACT Sample Question Explanation

The correct answer is A. Introductory elements, such as prepositional phrases, should be set off with a comma.

• Option A correctly places a comma after the introductory element "Before heading to the airport."

• Option B incorrectly places a comma after "last-minute" within the introductory element.

• Option C adds unnecessary commas after both "airport" and "last-minute packing."

• Option D incorrectly lacks a comma after the introductory element.

Therefore, the sentence should read: Before heading to the airport, last-minute packing was required.

Uses of the Comma

​Setting Off Non-Essential Clauses or Phrases.

Choose the option that correctly punctuates the following sentence.

My neighbor the one with the orange car often hosts backyard barbecues.

A) My neighbor, the one with the orange car, often hosts backyard barbecues.

B) My neighbor the one with the orange car, often hosts backyard barbecues."
C) My neighbor, the one with the orange car often hosts backyard barbecues.

D) My neighbor the one with the orange car often hosts backyard barbecues.

Uses of the Comma

​Setting Off Non-Essential Clauses or Phrases - Explanation

The correct answer is A. Non-essential clauses or phrases should be set off with commas.

• Option A correctly places commas around the non-essential phrase "the one with the orange car."

• Option B incorrectly places a comma only after "orange car."

• Option C incorrectly lacks a comma before and after the non-essential phrase.

• Option D incorrectly lacks commas around the non-essential phrase.

Therefore, the sentence should read: My neighbor, the one with the orange car, often hosts backyard barbecues.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that correctly punctuates the following sentence.

The novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy which is set during the Napoleonic Wars is considered a classic.

• The novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, which is set during the Napoleonic Wars, is considered a classic.

• The novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy which is set during the Napoleonic Wars is considered a classic.

• The novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy which is set during the Napoleonic Wars, is considered a classic.

• The novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, which is set during the Napoleonic Wars is considered a classic.

Uses of the Comma

ACT Sample Question Explanation

The correct answer is A. Non-essential clauses or phrases should be set off with commas.

• Option A correctly places commas around the non-essential clause "which is set during the Napoleonic Wars."

• Option B incorrectly lacks commas around the non-essential clause.

• Option C incorrectly places a comma only after "Napoleonic Wars."

• Option D incorrectly lacks a comma before "which."

Therefore, the sentence should read: The novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, which is set during the Napoleonic Wars, is considered a classic.