Sentences and Punctuation

Using Punctuation to Fix Sentences

by ACT English

Poll

How confident do you feel joining clauses using punctuation?

• Confident!

• Somewhat confident

• Somewhat unconfident

• Not confident!

Multiple Choice

What is NOT a way to join independent clauses?

• Add a semicolon between the clauses

• Weaken the verb in one of the clauses

• Join with a comma

• Split into two sentences

Multiple Choice

As it pertains to the ACT, joining clauses with a semicolon, joining clauses with a comma and a conjunction, and splitting clauses into two separate sentences are identical.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

• F

• G

• H

• J

Multiple Choice

• F

• G

• H

• J

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

​Independent Clause Review

1. ​Independent clause + semicolon (;) + ​​independent clause

2. ​​Independent clause + comma (,) AND conjunction + ​​ ​independent clause

3. ​​Independent clause. Period. ​​Independent clause

4. ​​Independent clause + colon + independent or dependent clause

5. ​Weak the verb

​Methods 1,2,3 are identical!! Use process of elinimation when you see like answers

Poll

How confident do you feel as it pertains to interrupting or nonessential phrases on the ACT?

• Very Confident

• Confident

• Not Confident

• Very Not Confident

Multiple Choice

As it pertains to the ACT, separating interrupting phrases using a pair of commas, parenthesis, or em dashes is identical

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Adding commas is the most subtle way to join independent clauses.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Q1

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• F

• G

• H

• J

​Interrupting Info Review

• ​Word, phrase, clause

• ​Removed without effecting meaning of the sentence

• ​Usually followed by a verb

• ​Offset with:

  • ​Commas (subtle)

  • ​Parentheses (middle)

  • ​Em dashes (dramatic)

​These are not style questions, so pay close attention to punctuation

Practice Questions​

​

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• E

• F

• G

• H

Poll

How confident do you feel joining independent clauses on the ACT?

• Very Confident

• Confident

• Not Confident

• Very Not Confident