ACT Grammar Rules Flashcards
Commas
Usage a. Separating Independent Clauses
b. Before a conjugation; when separating two independent clauses
c. Separating lists of items
d. Surrounding an appositive
e. A phrase that can be substituted for a noun surrounding an interjection
Apostrophes
a. Possessive noun; after noun of possession
b. Contraction
Semicolon
To separate two independent clauses
Colon
After an independent clause, to introduce a follow up statement.
Hyphen/Dash
A. In an adjective containing more than one word
b. As a substitute for other punctuation
Sentence Fragment
a. Add words
b. Remove Words
c. Rearrange Words
Wrong Connector
a. Replacing words with a connector that reflects the relationship between the clauses
b. Delete Unnecessary connectors
Run-on Sentences
a. Period between two sentences
b. Make one dependent
c. Use a comma and a conjunction to make a compound sentence
d. Use a semicolon
Misplaced Modifier
a. Make sure modifying phrase is next to the person or thing it modifies
b. Clarify the modifying phrase
Parallelism Error
Make sure words and phrases use consistent form, structure, and punctuation
Verb Tense Error
Make time periods consistent
Subject-Verb Agreement Error
a. Prepositional phrases and dependent clauses
b. Subjects that are not what they seem
Noun Agreement Error
Singular-singular, Plural-plural
Pronoun Agreement Error
a. Draw an arrow from the pronoun to the noun it represents to confirm match
b. Use consistent pronouns
Ambiguous Pronouns
Make sure pronouns represent one noun
Pronoun Case Error
See if pronoun is linked to a verb. Use SP/OP
Adj/Adv Agreement Error
Adj to modify noun; adv to modify verb, or other adverbs
Idiom Error
Use appropriate wording for the expression
Passive Voice
Make sure the subj is performing the action not receiving
Redundancy Error
a. Eliminate repetitive words
b. eliminate double negatives
Wrong Comparison Word
To compare two-er, three+ -est
