1. Grammar Error #1 Agreement
The most tested grammatical rule on the ACT is subject/verb and pronoun antecedent agreement.

2. Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement
If a student won’t study, they won’t do well.
If a student won’t study, he or she won’t do well.

3. SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT
The owner of the bicycles is going to sell the oldest one.
The owner of the bicycles are going to sell the oldest one.

4. Agreement Errors with Compound Subjects and Objects
Grammar Error #2
Agreement Errors with Compound Subjects and Objects

5. Sample Compound Object Item
The fool gave the wrong tickets to Bob and I.
The fool gave the wrong tickets to Bob and me.

6. Punctuating Non-Essential Words, Phrases, Clauses
Grammar Error #3
Punctuating Non-Essential Words, Phrases, Clauses

7. Sample Non-Essential Liz—the last girl on the right, is always late.

8. Non-Essential Clause
The Tower of London, which was begun by William the Conqueror in 1078, is one of the largest and most imposing fortifications in England.

9. Grammar Error #4
Fragments and Run-ons

10. Sample Run-On Sentence
Ed’s a slacker, Sara isn’t.
Ed’s a slacker, but Sara isn’t.
Ed’s a slacker; Sara isn’t.
Ed’s a slacker. Sara isn’t.
Ed, unlike Sara, is a slacker.

11. Sample Fragment Item Emily listened to music. While she studied.

12. Grammar Error #5
Punctuation Marks

13. Punctuation Marks
Semicolon – used to separate two complete thoughts. (think period)
Colon – follows a complete thought and often begins a listing.
Dash – can be used for any pause. (think comma)

14. Recognizing the need for adverb or adjective
Grammar Error #6
Recognizing the need for adverb or adjective

15. Adjective or Adverb?
Anna is an extreme gifted child, and she speaks beautiful too.
Anna is an extremely gifted child, and she speaks beautifully too.

16. Grammar Error #7
Good or Well

17. Joe did good on the ACT. Joe did well on the ACT.
Sample Usage
Joe did good on the ACT.
Joe did well on the ACT.

18. Grammar Error #8
Idioms
Double check to make sure idioms utilize the correct preposition. Many words require particular prepositions.

19. Idiom Example
An idiom is an established phrase that has a unique or special meaning that can be looked down in the dictionary.

20. Who or Whom Who functions as a subject. Whom functions as an object.
Grammar Error #9
Who or Whom
Who functions as a subject.
Whom functions as an object.

21. Who or Whom Example Who washed the car? She gave the present to whom?
Use who before a verb.
Use whom after a preposition.

22. Grammar Error #10 Apostrophe Use
When you make a noun possessive by adding an “s,” you use an apostrophe.

23. Sample Apostrophe Question
Since I was a child, my family has gathered at my grandparent’s home in Maine each summer.
A. NO CHANGE
B. grandparents’
C. grandparents
D. grandparent

24. Possessive Pronouns
Never use an apostrophe to make a pronoun possessive. Pronouns have special possessive forms. The company claims its illegal to use it’s name that way. The company claims it’s illegal to use its name that way.

25. Grammar Error #11 Comparative and Superlatives
Comparing two things – use –er or more.
Comparing more than two things –use –est or most.

26. Comparative/Superlative Example
My goldfish is more smarter than your brother.
*Never use both more or most and an ending.
I think vanilla is the most tastiest pudding ever!

27. Between or Among Between – Two things Among – More than two things
Grammar Error #12
Between or Among
Between – Two things
Among – More than two things

28. Usage Example
I will walk among the two sections of the class. I will walk between the many students.
I will walk between the two sections of the class. I will walk among the many students.

29. Grammar Error #13 Less or Fewer
Use the word less only for uncountable things.
When things can be counted, use fewer.

30. Usage Example I have less people here tonight than last week.
I have fewer people here tonight than last week.

31. Grammar Error #14 Verb Forms
Fritz had just began to toast Lydia’s marshmallows when the rabbits stampeded.

32. Grammar Error #15 Misplaced Modifiers
Snarling and snapping, Juanita attempted to control her pet turtle.

33. Grammar Error #16 Shifts in Pronoun Person or Number
Hamsters should work at the most efficient pace that one can.

34. Grammar Error #17 Pronoun Forms and Cases
Sam and Susie annoyed there parents all the time.
After the incident with the peanut butter, John and me were never invited back.

35. Grammar Error #18 Parallel Structures
Changes in wind circulation patterns, runoff from sewage, and they accumulate chemical fertilizers can lead to the creation of ocean waters low in oxygen.
A. No change
B. accumulating
C. to accumulate
D. accumulation of