ACT Prep English

Run-ons The lecture was dull you almost fell asleep. 3 ways to fix: –End stop: add a period, capitalize next word. The lecture was dull. You almost fell asleep. –Add a semi-colon between the sentences The lecture was dull; you almost fell asleep. –Use a conjunction (FANBOYS) and a comma The lecture was dull, so you almost fell asleep.

Faulty Parallelism When parts of sentences perform similar functions, they should be the same format At most colleges, the dominant attitude among students is that gaining admission to graduate school is more important than to obtain a well-rounded education Should be obtaining: two gerund phrases

Parallelism Con’t He was not only sympathetic but also knew when to be considerate –Predicate adjective vs. clause –He was not only sympathetic but also considerate He spends his time playing cards, swimming, going to the theater, and at school –Three gerunds, one prep phrase –He spends his time… going to school

Incomplete Split Construction A thought that is interrupted must be finished Maintaining a stable share is as important, if not more important than, making a profit. –As important as, if not more important than… Her colleagues always speak of Professor Collins as a person who has and will always be sensitive. –Should be who has been and always will be

Verb Tense Past: talked Present: talk Future: will talk Past Perfect: had talked Present Perfect: have talked Future Perfect: will have talked

When to use Perfect Verb Tense Present perfect: when action began in past, but extended to present –I cannot have any more turkey or stuffing; already I have eaten too much food. Past perfect: action began and completed in past before some other past action –The foreman asked what had happened to my eye. Future perfect: action began anytime, but finished in future –When I reach Chicago tonight, my uncle will have left for LA.

Practice Open Big Book to page 39. Do questions 1,5,9,13,29,30,32,35,36,38,40,41,45,47,50, 51,65,66, 68,70,71,75,77,80,81 Homework:Victory: Practice Test I: pg 468 TIMED: 45 Min. Check answers: pg. 691